I have an allergic reaction to pity for Max. When people look at him as if he is pathetic (a.k.a. The Pity Stare), or cock their head and say "Awwwwww..." if I mention he has cerebral palsy -- even as Max is standing there, looking perfectly happy -- my face...

On a recent Saturday, Max and I raided the library for books about cars, took a walk in the park and had lunch at his favorite Italian place. The meal morphed into something truly amazing.

Max got ziti with butter, every last inch covered in ketchup, and after...

"If you don't mind my asking, does he have autism?" people will say, looking at Max -- if we're at a mall in a play area, if we're at a party and mingling with new people. "He has cerebral palsy, but he can definitely pass for a kid...

What does it really mean to have cerebral palsy? Until I had a child with CP, I had no clue that it affects every person differently. As with any human, kids and adults with CP are as unique as their thumbprints.

In honor of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness...

It started with an experiment where I tracked the word "retard" on Twitter and asked people to reconsider using it. And I've continued to speak out about the r-word and how offensive it is, as have many parents of kids with special needs and others. It's been...

This week, I'm once again doing battle with the insurance company over paying for Max's speech and occupational therapy. They're not reimbursing us and damned if I'm not going to keep pressing them on it.

This week, my friend Kate and her son with special needs are visiting...

On vacation in Vermont, Dave and I booked a dinner at a nice restaurant. Sabrina was going to a camp sleepover, so it would be just us and Max. I was looking forward to a special night with him.

Max whimpered as we walked into the restaurant. We...

For a couple of years now, Max's physical therapists at school have been working on getting him to independently walk up and down stairs. This is tricky for him, because it involves grasping a railing (Max's hands don't always like to open up fully), core strength and coordination.

Monday and Tuesday were the Jewish New Year. I went to temple and prayed to be inscribed in the Book of Life (vastly preferred over the Book of Death). I prayed for good health for our family and friends. I added a prayer for God to continue to give me...

Today is World Cerebral Palsy Day. The organizers asked people to submit a brief video or message with an idea for bettering the world for people with CP. One of my most desperate wishes for Max is for people to quit pitying him or being wary of him...

A mom and her son with cerebral palsy had to leave a pool in Pittsburgh because he was wearing water wings: add this incident to a growing file of special needs WTFs. The incident is disturbing on many levels -- it ruined a kid's fun, it gave his...

Ever have to stifle laughter around your kid because you know you shouldn't be cracking up over something they've done but it's beyond funny? That's what happened the other day when Sabrina came home with a pamphlet her class had put together.

Her teacher had written out the beginning parts...

I recently got into a conversation with an acquaintance about the cost of caring for kids with special needs. This is a smart, savvy woman who has a son with mild Aspergers, and who knows that I have a child with more significant special needs. I mentioned a...

I grew up dreaming of becoming a mom; I've always loved children. I did not grow up dreaming of being a mom of a child with disabilities. Then my firstborn, Max, had a stroke at birth. Doctors told us he was at risk for severe cognitive impairment, not...

OK, Sarah Palin. I cheered you on when you reamed Rahm Emanuel and to some extent Rush Limbaugh for using the "r" word. It's derogatory to handicapped people, to be sure. But your knee-jerk reaction to the recent "Family Guy" episode is just plain sad -- and completely...

I had two reactions to the news about the little girl with cerebral palsy who allegedly died as a result of getting Botox in her legs to prevent her muscles from having spasms:

Last month, Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley adopted a baby girl from Korea; a new bunch of photos of the proud mama and Naleigh recently came out. Practically every article on them, if not every headline, mentions that the child has "special needs." The couple hasn't elaborated--why should they?--and of...