Progress, In a Picture

I have a number of ideas for posts swimming in my head, but I’ve had a hard time trying to crystallize into words what we’ve seen the last several months. Change. Progress. Self-awareness. Self-advocacy. Giving words to emotions. Yes, hormones. All at a speed that makes it difficult to process. Some of that is the […]

Supporting the Troops

If I made a list of places that I least look forward to taking Ryan, airports would be right at the top. Airports mean lines, and waiting, and delays. They’re unpredictable. They offer few exit plans. They are crowded with people, each a potential onlooker to an unpleasant situation when things don’t go according to […]

Another ‘For Him, or For Me’ Moment

Ever since that moment a few weeks ago at the Springfield Falcons game, the one when Ryan reached deep into the astonishing depths of his memory to recall the exact date and situation that he last knew of a hockey goalie giving up four goals on seven shots, we have been talking more than usual […]

Social Currency on His Feet

A few weeks ago, Ryan said he wanted a pair of Air Jordans — a by-product of sitting with a different group of kids at lunch, and wanting to be like them. Veronica and he browsed the Nike Web site and found the perfect pair — a retro model the was kinda/sorta in San Jose […]

For the Love of Air Jordans

At 13, Ryan has yet to develop much in the way of material desires. Don’t get me wrong — he loves his iPad and his computer, and he’d be livid if we didn’t have the cable package that includes the NHL Network and all the out-of-town games. He goes to close to 20 NHL games […]