We’re Not in Kansas Anymore – a Column by Helen Baldwin

November 6, 2019November 4, 2019

The November We Set Our Angel Free

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

The month of November kicked off eventfully in 1997 in the wee hours of the morning when our electricity went out. Jeffrey, our 5 ½-month-old baby with spinal muscular ... Read more

October 23, 2019October 21, 2019

Putting the ‘Grand’ in Grandparenting

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

The excitement of baby news for novice grandparents rivals that of the soon-to-be parents. Giddiness pervades the pondering. Who will the baby look like? What strengths and interests will ... Read more

October 9, 2019October 10, 2019

‘Tis the Season: Memories of a Fateful Fall Day

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

I’m a flop at remembering details and dates. However, 1997 is the exception. On July 7, 1997, our dog Duffy was killed by a car, sparking a conversation with ... Read more

September 25, 2019September 24, 2019

Déjà Vu and a Second Chance at Missed Memories

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

When my husband, Randy, and I decided to expand our family, I promptly became pregnant … and miscarried. Optimists, we tried again. And again. Meanwhile, we returned to school ... Read more

September 11, 2019September 9, 2019

Brockman Bears, Together Again

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

What seems a lifetime ago, my husband, Randy, and I decided to return to school for our teacher certifications. After quitting our joint job at a residential facility for ... Read more

August 28, 2019August 26, 2019

Little Bird … Good Night, Not Goodbye

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

Deciding on a column topic isn’t always a simple matter. Sometimes, I’m shoved into a new direction with a thud. Other times, the nudge is light as a feather. ... Read more

August 14, 2019August 14, 2019

SMA and the Big Sister

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

If our daughter, Katie, had arrived on her due date, I’d be writing about her birthday instead of her decision to hold off a few days — eight, to ... Read more

July 31, 2019August 2, 2019

Spreading SMA Awareness in August and Beyond

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

Like most families broadsided with an unexpected, rare diagnosis, my husband and I had never heard of the one attached to Jeffrey, our third baby. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) ... Read more

July 17, 2019July 15, 2019

Diagnosis Day — and the Day After

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

Keeping up with the calendars around here can be dizzying. One desk calendar is reserved for scheduling jobs for our small carpet-cleaning business. Reminders to do one thing or ... Read more

July 3, 2019July 2, 2019

Two Bright Lights: Jeffrey and Papa

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

I’m writing this on June 29, the 13th anniversary of my father’s death.    Remembering Dad today is impossible without including Jeffrey in my thoughts. Following his death, our ... Read more