“Watch out for that Heidi Brown,” my dad likes to say. “She’ll keep you on your toes.” It’s true. If there’s one thing my mom excels at (and there are many), it’s coming up with the most exquisite of curveballs. See our last-minute trip to Pensacola, Florida, last December…
Elephants have long been my favorite animal. I even have a collection of items depicting them. I’m captivated by the majestic giants whose eyes seem to convey vast wisdom and an array of relatable emotions like empathy, joy, humor, and curiosity. So, when I came across an episode of “…
I’m now in a season of life when things that were once taken apart are getting put back together. In my previous column, I explained that after 29 years of living in our house, my mom and I made a momentous decision to move into a multigenerational home with…
I’ve often said that it’s probably a good thing we don’t have a crystal ball. While sometimes it might be beneficial to know what lies ahead, if I could choose a magical power, I’d opt for a wiggly nose like Samantha on “Bewitched.” That said, I can think of plenty…
I’ve slept with a BiPAP machine every night since I was 1 year old. (I’m 33 now.) This noninvasive ventilator delivers pressurized air to my lungs, providing my weakened muscles some respite by taking over my breathing work. Over the years, this machine has become my trusty companion. I…
I’ve never understood why some people are weird about wheelchairs. Why the pity? Why think needing to use one is one of the worst things someone could face? I blame my first power wheelchair for my inability to understand. I got it when I was about 9 from Make-A-Wish.
I’m about to date myself, but hang with me for a sec. Back in my day (which wasn’t really that long ago; I’m not that old), online school was unthinkable. Perpetually online folks like me were seeing the writing on the wall and begging people in power to embrace the…
With every caw of a seagull and crash of a wave against the shore, I swore I felt every stressor in my life exit my body. OK, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. But the healing powers of the beach and its background noises are something I’ll never take for…
I don’t get sick often. If I feel somewhat draggy, echinacea tea usually works like a charm. When our first two children, Matthew and Katie, were born, exhaustion prevailed. I was mothering and teaching kindergarteners with orthopedic and other conditions, and I was married to a…
“Let me go, Mum,” I begged. It was Day 2 of a harrowing hospital stay. My chest had been hurting and feeling tight, nonstop. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. I was tachycardic, with a heart rate in the 120s to the 140s. I needed a urinary catheter. I…
