A blog follower recently contacted me saying how exciting it is to see how much Emma is progressing. Whenever someone says this to me, my first reaction is surprise, followed by a shot of hopefulness and finally curiosity. What exactly do they see? How is she progressing in their opinion? So... Read more →
Biting and Other Self-Injurious Behaviors – Autism
Yesterday Emma came home from school with her forearm covered in bite marks. I sat down next to Emma on her bed and gently touched her arm. “You bit!” She said sadly. “I can see that,” I said, stroking her arm. “I want to unlock it,” she said, twirling a scrap... Read more →
Having a Daughter with Autism
Someone asked me the other day – What’s it like having a daughter with autism? The flippant response would be – I don’t know what it’s like to have a daughter without autism. But the more thoughtful answer is a bit longer and more complicated. It takes me back to my... Read more →
Andrea Beard: A Pee To Be Proud Of
First of all, I wanted to thank those of you who read Why Not Me and left such amazing comments. It’s hard to share such a personal story, but so rewarding when you receive positive feedback. For those of you who have stumbled upon this blog for the first time I would encourage you to... Read more →
We Have to Keep Trying – Autism
When Emma was first diagnosed, she was four months away from her third birthday. Since that fall, now seven years ago, we continue to show up for her in ways we could not have imagined. As many of you with a child with autism know, engaging your child can be complicated. Emma cannot have a “conversation”... Read more →
Working through the Jazz Aspen Labor Day lineup
SNOWMASS VILLAGE – Oh, the misconceptions and shortage of information that abound out there. You’d think with this Internet contraption and the Google, the facts would be readily at hand. But as music fans about Aspen discuss th Copyright 2011 The Aspen Times. All rights reserved. This... Read more →
What Is Building 7?
On Feb. 23, 2011, during Mancow Muller’s nationally syndicated radio show, Donald Rumsfeld, the Secretary of Defense on 9/11, was asked: “No plane hit Building 7. Why did Building 7 come down? What do you tell people?” Rumsfeld’s unambiguous answer: “What is Building 7? … I have... Read more →
Skateboarding – Autism
When Emma was a toddler, she taught herself how to swing by herself. She thrust her legs out in front of her and then leaned her body forward as she tucked her legs under her. It was an amazing and beautiful thing to witness. I remember the first time it happened, we were in the Washington Square... Read more →
Andrea Beard: I’m Sorry, Who Said That?
When I went to see my doctor for my annual exam last week I found myself asking a question that I never expected to come out of my mouth, “so if we decide to have another baby everything looks good, right?” As I heard this question asked my mind was screaming, “exactly who is this... Read more →
Leigh Vogel’s Amazing Journey
Former Aspen Peak editor Leigh Vogel has become a world-class photographer based in Washington D.C.–all while she was enrolled in a masters program at Georgetown University. Click here for her story in words and, of course, pictures. Read More →