Category Archives: Special Needs
What a Difference 2 Years Make
Around this same time 2 years ago, Erica and I were preparing to go on our first “real” vacation since our marriage in June of 2012– we were going to Jamaica. The plane tickets were purchased, the resort was booked, the passports were a go, and the swimsuits were purchased. As excited and prepared as we were to finally vacation, not too many people shared the excitement with us. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our trip to Jamaica, causing us to lose our airfare, get reimbursed for resort, store the passports, and put away the swimsuits. It seemed like Erica and I would never get on a plane to vacation somewhere.
In July 2015, Maxwell had yet to turn 1 years old, his health wasn’t as stable as it is now, and quite frankly, our family didn’t feel comfortable babysitting Maxwell, with us being out of the country. I mean, we were just going to Jamaica, that’s not too far, they could handle it– right? Nope, they weren’t having it! Thus, we cancelled the trip and decided to vacate domestically. We went to New York City and Charlottesville, Va. It wasn’t the beaches of Jamaica, but we made the best of it.
Fast-forward to May 2017, Erica and I are now preparing to fly to Cuba, and we’re excited. Again, the plane tickets were purchased, the Airbnb’s were booked, the passports were a go, and the swimsuits were purchased. This go round, Maxwell is stable, he has nursing care during the day, and our family is more comfortable with his care. And off to Cuba we go!! All goes well!!
Fast-forward to June 2017, Erica and I are now headed to New Orleans, La and Houston, Tx. Again, we’re prepared and ready to go. This go round, Maxwell is still stable, he has nursing care and respite care, and more family is in town, ready to watch our son. And off we go!!! Thank God, all goes well again!!
Reflecting on these past 2 years, its been a long journey to get to this point, but we thank God for his continued care and blessings upon our son. Maxwell, is truly growing and progressing in life, and we have God to thank for this. We thank Maxwell, for being the resilient, super, mighty Max that he is, and for allowing his parents to get some much needed time away. We thank God for his nurses and the way they compassionately care for Max. Lastly, we’re grateful for Maxwell’s grandparents and Auntie, who rose to the occasion, and watched our baby-boy! We know its not easy and can be a lot of work, but we’re grateful for you!!!
Oh, and how can we forget you!!! Those of you reading this, liking this, and sharing this, we thank you for your prayers, love, and support!!
Stay Super, Stay Mighty, and Be Blessed!
Brandon
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Why SOE Nominee Betsy Devos is a Threat to the Special Needs Community
Happy New Year! We are back to blogging here on Super Mighty Max dot com.
As we gear up for the Inauguration tomorrow of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States of America, his cabinet members are getting grilled by Democratic Senators during their confirmation hearings. Over the last few days we have watched the Secretary of Education nominee Betsy Devos, a multi billionaire Republican philanthropist, completely avoid questions on around guns in public schools, higher education, and the federal student loan programs. She even made a comment that guns are needed in schools to keep the grizzlies away. What grizzly bears do you know own guns? Anyway, I digress.
What infuriated me as a Special Needs mom to Super Mighty Max was her response to questions around Special Education and lack of knowledge of existing acts like the federal Individuals with Disability Education Act or IDEA. This act has governed special education in public schools since the mid-1970s to not exclude those with special needs and disabilities from getting a public education.
VA Democratic Senator Tim Kaine asked Ms. DeVos whether schools that receive tax dollars should be require to meet the requirements of IDEA.
“I think that is a matter that’s best left to the states,” Ms. DeVos replied.
Mr. Kaine came back: “So some states might be good to kids with disabilities, and other states might not be so good, and then what? People can just move around the country if they don’t like how their kids are being treated?”
Ms. DeVos repeated, “I think that is an issue that’s best left to the states.”
“It’s federal law,” an exasperated Mr. Kaine replied.
Secretary of Education nominee Besty Devos is a threat to the Special Needs Community because she does not know what the IDEA is and how this federal program has helped kids with disabilities since the 1970s. Betsy Devos is inadequate, not knowledgeable of basic education policies and programs, and has no experience in education. The sad part is with a Republican majority Senate she will likely be confirmed.
Special Needs parents we need to continue to fight and be advocates for our children at all costs.
Stay Super, Make Mighty Moves, and Be Blessed!
~Erica
supermightymax.com 