hi there —
I'm Shauna
Welcome to my blog! I’m Mama to a super sweet but spunky teen who’s all about Lego and YouTube and also happens to have a bit of extra chromosome. We are a small family of three (and one wackodoodle dog) from Ohio.
Our unexpected journey has been an adventure unlike any I’ve ever been on — packed with hard lessons, a whole lot of patience, and love that knows no limits. Come along as I stumble through this journey and share what I’ve learned. I’m excited to do the unexpected with you!
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Get Your About Me: One-Page Profile
Therapists, educators, healthcare workers, service providers – the list seems never-ending! Become part of the Disability Wise community and access my One-Page Profiles that will help you easily communicate your loved one’s needs to their support network without having to say a word!
the why —
Behind Disability Wise
Have you ever found yourself spiraling down the online rabbit hole chasing information?
Me too! All. The. Time.
Since our son’s diagnosis at age two, I can’t even begin to tell you how many countless late nights I’ve spent scouring the internet. I’m always searching for the Whys and Hows of life with a child with a disability — desperate to be “disability-wise” (see what I did there).
Here at Disability Wise, my goal is to ease the stress of the chase for you by sharing what I’ve learned along the way so that you can focus on what truly matters — your child!
what's your next stop on the journey?
what to expect —
Your Journey Sidekick
Long trips aren’t the same without a buddy riding shotgun — someone to chat with and lighten the load of the journey, am I right?
Think of Disability Wise as your ultimate travel buddy (or what I like to think of as a kick-butt sidekick).
Wherever the journey leads you, your sidekick (that’s me!) is here to support you with useful tips, helpful resources, and real-life stories.You’ll also find a resource library where you can dive into my favorite websites, podcasts, and bloggers. And above all, you’ll find a welcoming community that understands you!
ready to get started? let's explore!
a little about —
Our Unexpected Journey
When our son was first diagnosed at age 2 with a rare genetic anomaly called Dup15q, I was clueless! Clueless about the unexpected journey we were about to take, clueless of this world called developmental disability. C-L-U-E-L-E-S-S! In those early days, I realized a couple of things very quickly—there would be no tour guide on this journey and no instruction manual given out. We were flying solo, and it was up to us to figure out what we needed to survive.
And let me tell ya, friend, walking this journey hasn’t come without its fair share of frustration, worry, confusion, and occasionally, some tears (I’m talking the big, ugly cry, kinda tears). But with some years of experience behind us, I find myself blubbering (a bit) less these days and instead channeling that energy toward educating + supporting others on the same path.
So, grab a cup of coffee (or tea), get comfy, and enjoy reading. You can also find me over on Facebook for more conversations and community.
Thanks for being here !
Shauna
