Tina Szymczak
August 8, 2017
“Why does your mouth smile but your eyes are sad?” asked my seven year old son as he looked into my eyes. I was so taken a back that I did not have a response before, in true seven year old fashion, he ran off to a new adventure. Me, I sat there, contemplating what he had said. I had thought I was doing a good job hiding my sadness. There were days that I felt myself going under but I fought hard to keep my head above water. The sadness was, at times, a dull ache that would not go away. At other times it came in large waves, knocking me over and incapacitating me until I found a […]
August 4, 2017
Just recently my oldest son was injured playing soccer and required hospitalization. He injured himself playing on the Special Stars team for individuals with Autism. I only tell you this as it plays a key part in the story. Otherwise it wouldn’t matter what type of league it was. But for this story it does matter. When the ambulance attendants came (after almost 2 hours – totally a different story) they asked about medications and medical conditions. I told them all his medications and that he has Autism, Intellectual disability and Bipolar disorder. He has more but these seemed key to the circumstances. Even as I said Intellectual disability I felt guilty – I hate the term, it used to […]
July 26, 2017
On Sundays Corbin plays soccer in a league for kids with Autism (it goes against my belief of inclusion but sometimes he needs to decide for himself). This past Sunday we went to the states to do some shopping and we were happy with our purchases but pretty tired. We contemplated letting Corbin skip the game but he takes his commitment seriously and we don’t want to discourage that in any way. The plan was that I would take him to soccer and stop at Little Caesar’s on the way home. We were at soccer, it’s an indoor field, and the way the benches are you can’t see the other end of the field unless you lean way out. So it’s […]
July 11, 2017
On June 24th, 2017 we hosted a joint graduation party for our boys. Jeremy was graduating Gr.8 and Corbin was graduating high school. We decided to have the party for 30 people at our local restaurant The Leaf Grill. Everyone who rsvp’d they would be there showed up and even my friend Angela flew in from Thunderbay just for the day. She’s like the boys Aunt, a favourite aunt that likes to spoil them. This time she made these amazing cookies. The Leaf staff were amazing – we didn’t have to do a set menu but rather everyone was encouraged to order what they liked off the menu. Our food, every last plate, was out within a half hour from […]
June 27, 2017
To My Son on His Graduation I know it is cliché but it seems like only yesterday that I saw your smiling preschooler face for the first time. The moment I saw you there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that you were meant for us. You made us a family and before we knew it we were swept off our feet just trying to keep up with you. Your smile, your big blue eyes, your curiosity and friendliness were all qualities we adored in you. You started school just 3 short months after you moved in with us. Other parents cried and proclaimed how fast 4 years had gone by and I clutched your doll to my chest and […]