Tales Of An Educated Debutante
on life, loss and the joy that rules the day.
The future is far away and scary, but today is lovely.
Adrian H. Wood, PhD
A College Essay
Wednesday, October 04, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
"Come On, Amos! You can do it!” In that moment, I had a glimpse of what could have been- the summer I had planned. Me, a junior sailing counselor at a camp that I had attended every summer since I was 6 years old. My plan for as long as I can remember, but I didn't get the job. Instead, I accepted a nanny position for four children, ages 3-11, and here I was, staring into the blue eyes of a 3-year-old with white blond hair and begging him to poop. Amos is not just any 3-year-o ..
Read moreFaces of Medicaid in North Carolina
Sunday, July 02, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
This is the tale of one hundred children who depend on Medicaid in one way or another, whether as primary or secondary insurance or to subsidize school based therapies (speech, occupational, and physical therapies.) Read their stories. Evelyn 8 months old, only child so far, Turner syndrome, Medicaid (therapies and specialists), very strong girl. Evelyn. Miles Age 1, developmental delay, Medicaid (nursing, respite, therapy), expresses tremendous love for his family. Cha ..
Read moreDear Richard,
Tuesday, June 27, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (2)
I hope it's okay if I call you by your first name. After all, you are one of my senators and not that it seems to matter, but I voted for you. Thanks for your update on the "Better Care Reconciliation Act." Your pal Thom Tillis gets no credit for information dissemination, but at least he's not a liar. Does that sound caustic? My mother always said you attract more bees with honey, but I call bullshit, especially when it's offered on a silver platter. You present a beautiful plan, reall ..
Read moreTo the Mama Who Is New to the Special Needs Club
Sunday, June 11, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (3)
I was you. I wasn't one of those amazing people who intentionally adopt a child with special needs. I admired such selflessness from afar. My neat and tidy family was easy and I was relieved that everyone was born "perfect." It wasn't until baby number four, that I became a member of the club that I wouldn't have sought entry. It's been over a year now that my mind and heart began to acknowledge that my Amos wasn't just one of the gang as his catching up seemed more and more unlikely. A ..
Read moreGoodbye to the School Year From A Special Needs Mama
Friday, June 02, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
Flowers. Three vases. A mix of gardenias, hydrangea, and a few pilfered lilies. Confidingly, a meager offering for a mother's reassurance. Not just a safe place to fall, but a classroom that has been nothing short of miraculous. A year ago, we were prepping ourselves for Amos's entry into school. It was a choice that required no choosing, yet kindled despair and defeat in the family confounded once again by heavy irony. One can not escape the swallowing of pride required when your heart ..
Read moreThe Other Woman
Friday, May 19, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (2)
He has another woman. Three of them actually, but one is particularly fond of my little blond boy with the funny gait, a boy of few words. It is her face which lights up at the very sight of him. He has another woman. Many a morning we walk into school and he lurches forward out of my arms and into hers. It is her who gives him a warm place to snuggle when I'm not there. He has another woman. He crawled in my bed this morning and took my hand, placed it on his back, and starti ..
Read moreDefine Healthy Baby
Monday, May 15, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
"As long as its healthy," I heard in the years before I became a mother and though I wasn't writing, I was still thinking. Words flow and land on the listener and often times, we are not even aware of their effect on others. We should be though, not in a hyper vigilant, politically correct sort of way, but a place of empathy, eyes and heart open to the needs and lives of others. Spilling catch phrases comes easily, but words can be thorns. For those that didn't or don't or will not have ..
Read moreTen Struggles of A Special Needs Mama
Friday, May 12, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
1. My child is in diapers. Nobody goes to school in diapers, people say laughingly, but my son does. It's not too bad except there's no place to change him except the floor of a bathroom. Changing tables are meant for babies, not long limbed children. 2. My child doesn't sit still in restaurants. Nope, he wanders and explores and likely will come over to investigate your table; autism doesn't play by the rules of etiquette. 3. Getting a sitter is not so easy. To ..
Read moreDo You Remember Me?
Thursday, May 11, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
I'm the boy you watched so carefully in the airport. I didn't notice, but my mother did even though she pretended not to. She made sure I was dressed nicely and had eaten a good breakfast. She let me run around in the airport because exercise helps me sit somewhat still in the plane. You watched me, not even from the corner of your eye, and disapproval rained down on my boisterous self. That wasn't nice, though I bet you didn't mean to act like that. I'm not perfect and my mom says she' ..
Read moreThe Supreme Court & Amos
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 Adrian H. Wood Comments (1)
This morning, I noticed there was quite a hubbub going on at the state's oldest courthouse. My husband shared that the NC Supreme Court was in Edenton hearing cases and before he knew it, I was in fancy clothes (white jeans) and manhandled Amos into knee socks and saddle shoes. One must look the part when you haven't been invited, haven't signed up, don't hold a ticket for entry and arrive wrestling a three year old with autism. We are not exactly on the most wanted list. We moseye ..
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