We are the family that believes that anything is possible if we work together. Ed and I (Aimee) met in college and have two beautiful boys, Vincent and Dominic. Vincent is an amazing older brother to his brother Dominic. Dominic has autism and has taught us in nine years more than we as a family will ever be able...
There is something about a relationship between a sibling and their special needs brother or sister. The way Vincent is with Dominic is nothing more than amazing. The way he looks at him, speaks to him, and shows him unconditional love. He strives to make his brother feel safe and protected and also pushes him to grow. He challenges...
There are times you see stories on Facebook and you question, “did that really happen?” I thought this the first time I read the story “Dear Daddy Seat 16c.” Well Ed and I had our very own special story that will make you say, “wow, that is awesome or did that really happen!” When we traveled to Disney for...
When I was pregnant with Dom, I vividly remember Ed and I having a conversation in our car about children with special needs. I remember him saying that we are the type of couple that could handle it. I recall thinking, “did you really just say that?” I agreed with him but also said to him I wasn’t sure...
To Meltdown or Not to Meltdown
No matter if your child has special needs or not we can all relate to the dreaded meltdown. A full blown meltdown not only exhausts the child but the parent. Dominic has really reduced his meltdowns but it doesn't make me forget his younger years. I remember those times very well and there was...
One day Vince came home from school with a Build A Bear coupon. Ed and I talked and I told him that I didn't think Dominic would be interested and was it worth spending the money if he really wasn't going to enjoy it or engage. I wasn't trying to exclude him from the moment however I wasn't sure...
My mother has been the most instrumental and supportive to our family through Dominic's journey. The first two years of his life were extremely hard because Dominic was in and out of hospitals. When he was two months old, my mom and I were at her house with Dominic and he started to turn blue from lack of oxygen...
The first five years of Dominic's life, I had a lot of jealously around other families that could get up and go do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. I was jealous they could go to birthday parties, stores, sporting events, and other outings without a care in the world. I would look on in awe and of course...
It is difficult at times to take a breath and say it could be so much worse but truly it can. There are so many others that would wish for what we had but there are times it is easy to step into self pity. Wishing and hoping for something more instead of embracing what we have and what...
When Vince was around six years old, we were having a conversation with him about what he wanted to be when he grew up. He wasn't able to tell us what occupation he wanted to be however he quickly said he wanted to be a daddy. We told him we thought that was wonderful and asked him what type...
