What is a knight?
History records knights as heroic warriors. A defender of the vulnerable, loyal to his King, possessing a pure heart and unblemished honor. For families like mine raising special needs children in Belize, our knight didn't wear silver armor. He wore a white lab coat.
Dr. Eck lived out every single one…
Children are the heart of any society, and it is our collective duty to ensure they grow up in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment. This responsibility is even greater for children with disabilities, who often face unique challenges and vulnerabilities. Many cannot communicate their needs, recognize danger, or advocate for themselves, making them especially…
When last have you read Dr. Seuss’s book “Green Eggs and Ham”? Walk down memory lane with me.
The story begins with Sam, the ever-patient, long-suffering friend, offering his pal some food: “Do you like green eggs and ham?” he asks.
Our picky eater flat out refuses: “I do not like them, Sam-I-am. I do…
I wish that I could be one of those positive autism moms—one of those moms who are open and accepting of the hand that they have been dealt. I wish that I could tell all the parents of children who are newly diagnosed with autism that it’s going to be ok. But for me, my…
Our daughter Keyrielle is 5 years old, but she looks 7. She was blessed with impeccable height for she stands 4 feet tall. She celebrates her 6th birthday on August 23. Her dad named her. It is derived from the Latin term “Keyrie-Eleison” which means “Lord have Mercy.” Keyrielle has lived up to the power…
So I've never done this before. Well yes, it's pretty obvious I've never started an NGO before - but I actually wasn't talking about that. Nope. I meant that I've never re-posted a blog before. I hope it's not a terrible sin. You see, I'm feeling a little nostalgic. It's been almost a year since…
[vc_row][vc_column][interactive_banner banner_image="id^6223|url^https://autismbelize.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screen-Shot-2021-03-19-at-12.30.55-PM.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^Screen Shot 2021-03-19 at 12.30.55 PM|description^null"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
No Maps
In keeping with the global awareness and solidarity of World Down Syndrome Day, March 21st, I am celebrating my son, Zayne Craig, who was diagnosed at birth with Down’s Syndrome. Let’s take off our rose-coloured glasses and face facts. We are all on a journey,…
I remember it clearly like it was yesterday. We were hosting a dear friend from Michigan for a week, and the house was abuzz with activities, cooking, laughter, chatter and plans of multiple road trips to show off our precious Jewel, Belize. Yep, we were way off-track from structure and routine, which I must admit…
“Oh my God!” Liam laughed. “Liam! Don’t use the Lord’s name in vain,” I reminded him. It was an appropriate exclamation, which made me proud. We’d come such a long way with his speech. But his teacher had admonished him on several occasions for saying God irreverently. Now, he didn’t learn it from me. I…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you ever fall flat on your face, play dead. There’s no other way. People will have sympathy and you’ll spare yourself the embarrassment. Another life tip: If you ever stumble out on the street, break into a full-on run. People will think you’re exercising, and you’ll save face. You’re welcome.
This is a story…
This week I was invited by St. John's College Junior College Campus Ministry to give a talk on my personal journey in their Agape Latte Speaker Series. So instead of a written blog, I thought I would share with you my talk.
Why Autism Belize? I can answer that!
I’m going to begin here with full disclosure: even though we have known Mateo and loved him from before he was born, we, as a family, have only been truly getting to know him for the past two years or so. They didn’t live in Belize, so our contact and interaction was limited to videos and calls and emails – we knew about him but didn’t really know him – if you understand what I mean.
Since the summer of 2018… my, how we’ve grown! We are nowhere near autism experts, nor do we come close to knowing how to manage Teo the way his mama does, but our little family has definitely learned a few things from this kid.
Well to answer that question, please first follow me for a little trip into my past…
From the first time Mateo’s pediatrician mentioned Autism, I started reading and researching. If you know me, you know I’m a reader - and that I can become more than a little obsessive. So when the doc mentioned the…
A Real Worry
Over the years, there have been many things Mateo has done that brought me to the brink of a heart attack. Actions that I swear will give me grey hair. But one recurring worry/action is wandering. According to a 2012 study in Pediatrics, approximately 49 percent of children on the autism spectrum…
Our daughter Keyrielle is 5 years old, but she looks 7. She was blessed with impeccable height for she stands 4 feet tall. She celebrates her 6th birthday on August 23. Her dad named her. It is derived from the Latin term “Keyrie-Eleison” which means “Lord have Mercy.” Keyrielle has lived up to the power…
