Why are you hearing from me?
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by Emily Coleman on 3/21/2011 3:41:43 PM
My name is Emily. My husband and I are parents to three unique children including my middle child, Eddie, who is blind with multiple disabilities. For what I can only say were therapeutic reasons, I recently began writing short "journal" entries about the interesting aspects of raising Eddie.
What I quickly realized was that my intended audience was other parents like me. Parents that had children with visual impairments and could relate to my stories without feeling anything but understanding and familiarity. FamilyConnect has given me the opportunity to reach that intended audience.
If you happen to read some of my entries now or in the future, you will see that I am a person with few secrets. I like to share. I am generally optimistic, but also have days where I just can't get there. I will openly admit that having a child with special needs isn't very easy.
In my real life, I am often too proud to say that I need help and I like everyone to think I have my act together. It is simply too hard explaining to friends without a child like Eddie that some of my days are extremely difficult. I feel that when I meet families like mine, I can let my guard down, and that is what I hope to do with this blog.
I am opening up my life to others in the hope that parents like me will be inspired to share, to reflect, and to ask for guidance. Also, I hope that family members of said parents will be able to grasp how complicated and exciting our lives can be. Please comment on my posts to support or question my opinions and actions.
Remember, I am only one mom from a rural town practically in the middle of nowhere. Your stories and insights are equally as important as mine and just as interesting if not more so. With that being said, I hope you enjoy the humorous, sometimes difficult, look into my life. I am anxious to begin this online relationship and know that through supporting each other, we will be better parents for our children.
There are currently 10 comments
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by gilliani on 3/23/2011 9:46:09 AM
I am so glad to have found your blog. I am the mom of 4 and my 3rd child, Dylan has toxoplasmosis which has left him legally blind with a very significant brain injury (though he has defied all the doctors with his incredible progess). So much of what you wrote resonates with me, though our daily experiences are obviously different. Congrats on keeping a positive outlook - I think this is what makes moving forward possible!
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by achampine0302 [http://carsonmylove.blogspot.com/] on 3/23/2011 3:00:02 PM
Your intro alone made me cry. I felt like you were introducing me and my family! THANK YOU for sharing your heart, your thoughts and your stories on here! I'm very excited to follow your blog!
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by lelizabeth on 3/23/2011 5:48:59 PM
I look forward to reading more entries!
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by KristineM [http://www.ourporchswing.blogspot.com] on 3/26/2011 1:24:56 PM
Thanks for sharing. I look forward to reading more.
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by jonandkristin on 3/29/2011 11:31:51 AM
I just posted a comment on your last blog and want to again say that I am so appreciative of you sharing your life. It is so reassuring to find others out there who know what it's like raising a child with special needs. It can be a lonely place when none of your friends can relate. I too look forward to reading more!
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by darciewk on 5/23/2012 11:35:31 AM
Hi Emily, I loved you latest post about the carousel. Beautiful! My son Timmy is legally blind and also multiply disabled. It's so nice to hear from someone who understands. by the way, your blog title is always cut off. It reads "Raising a child who is blind and..." I kept clicking all over the site to find out what the "and" was followed by. I just wonder if they can fix it so it's completely visible? Knowing it's "blind and mulitply disabled" would mean it's more appropriate and interesting to parents like me.
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by EmColeman on 5/23/2012 10:26:24 PM
Darciewk...thank you for the post! The ... Is intentional after the title of my blog. It does mean he is multiply handicapped, but also that he is more than simply blind in a variety of ways. I am so grateful you were looking out for my blog. :) Thanks!
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by darciewk on 8/2/2012 5:33:17 PM
Thanks for your comment, Emily! We are mutual admirers, then! Can u tell me what other disabilities Eddie has? Tim has gross and fine motor impairment, speech impairment, and is low vision. Thanks. I would request u as a friend but don't know how... :)
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by EmColeman on 8/2/2012 8:29:09 PM
I'd am happy to share...as always. Eddie has global developmental delays. He is officially diagnosed with Autism, and Cerebral Palsy has been mentioned, but no official diagnosis. Due to the part of his brain that was underdeveloped, he has very small optic nerves (which causes his blindness), and also a non-functioning pituatary gland. He has been in multiple therapies over the course of his life (speech, OT, PT, horseback, swimming, and probably others I can't remember). It sounds like Tim is the same age as Eddie, so we've been at this for about the same amount of time. It is always an adventure, isn't it?!? I'm so glad you got so much value from the NAPVI conference. There is nothing better than spending time with parents "like us."
Re: Why are you hearing from me?Posted by Sherryl on 10/26/2012 12:51:35 PM
Hello Emily,
I've read a few of your posts and I must say congratulations! By your words, you are helping others. I invite you to visit my website about my own personal journey, living with congenital coloboma, glaucoma, nearsightedness and now floaters. I am on a deligent campaign to help inspire and motivate anyone one needs it. Keep up the good work
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