A Mother's Journey
My heartfelt book, Losing Alex, which I wrote after the loss of my first baby, Alex, who was stillborn at full term, is now officially an AudioBook and I couldn't be more proud and humbled by the amazing voice of Marsha Waterbury, for lending her talents for my story.
When my son was born there were no research trials, no further treatment of any kind. No pills, medications or hopes to be had. No one can prepare you for having a rare child. It’s a lonely place to be. I am a special needs parent. I got this. When...
I’ve been lucky. I come from a very loving family. My husband is amazing and a great dad. Even my ex is a truly caring dad. My kids are the most amazing, loving, compassionate people. I am so proud of the young men they have become. I like to think...
What I am watching I have a confession to make. I never watched the original “Lost in Space“. They never aired it in Italy when I was a kid, so there’s that. I catch my husband watch an episode here and there but to me it just looks so cheesy...
I am a nurse every single day for my son and I don’t enjoy it one tiny little bit. There are days where EB just overwhelms me. Still. One would think that after nearly 22 years it would just get easier, but it’s just draining and relentless. Nicky’s at that...
As the mother of a child with a complex medical condition, I feel that there are some things everyone should know about what it’s like to parent this child, whether he or she is 1 or 21. In my case, of course, as Nicky is getting older, things are getting...
September 2010 Connor had gotten a kitty for his birthday and the boys just loved her. They still do! She’s too heavy now for Nick to pick her up or hold her anymore (I need to put her on a diet, LOL), and she’s become a bit reclusive over the...
A recent visit to the ER for my son Nicky powerfully reminded me how much power we have, as parents of children with rare diseases, to control the situation. To control how we are treated. To make sure we are listened to. We are, after all, the experts on our kids!...
If there was one thing I’d want everyone to know it’s to please be aware that parents of special kids, especially those with lethal conditions, are hurting. Badly. So, when you see a parent pushing a child in a wheelchair at the grocery store or at Target, send them a...
It’s that time of year where depression sets in. The time where “vacations” are over and it’s back to the old grind. Of course, the fact that Nicky is having the corneal abrasion from HELL doesn’t help at all. It’s the constant battles, every time you turn around, that exhaust...
What I am watching I am a huge Trekkie as my friends know. I used to go to Star Trek conventions back in the early 90s! I am also, shall we say, an equal opportunity Trekkie. I like all Trek shows, movies, all the time, unlike my sweet hubby who...
Going to the Debra.org PCC is always a treat. The first Conference I attended with Nicky was the one held in Los Angeles in 1999. It seems like forever ago. Nicky was 2.5 years old and by then I had many “online” friends which I had the absolute pleasure to...
As Italian as you can get, this was a dish my mom made all the time!!! I wish I could say you could use “any” rice to make this, but Arborio is the rice you should use for this dish. Thankfully you can now find this type of rice anywhere...
My son Nicky was diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) 12 hours after his birth, a month later we received the official diagnosis of “Recessive Dystrophic”. Here are my top 6 things to know about Epidermolysis Bullosa. 1. Epidermolysis Bullosa is a genetic skin disorder. Epidermolysis Bullosa it’s an umbrella term...
February 2002 – The famous rainbow cupcake at SeaWorld (Florida)!! From the book: “Before we left the park that evening we had to grant Nicky one last request: earlier in the day he had seen this “rainbow” cupcake and bugged us about it, but at the time we could not...
