I am a writer and mother of three. One of my kids has an intellectual disability. Jessica, now forty years old, resides in a group home.
When I began researching facts about parents with children with an intellectual disability, I discovered that In the United States alone, there are roughly eight million people with intellectual disabilities, including 425,000 children.
THAT’S A LOT OF HUMANS!
I always struggled with the idea Jessica was less than perfect. As it turned out, she was my greatest teacher. She taught me I was the one who needed to change. My hope is my book will serve as a bridge between parents of typically developing children and children with disabilities.
This is Jessica at four and a half. The same year my husband and I were told Jessica was “profoundly retarded.” Those are the exact words the doctor used.
Thankfully, our world has changed, and people have enlightened attitudes. Follow me as I share what it looks like to live in a world which includes people with different abilities.
Dear Ms. Shields,
I am applying to the community theatre in my hometown of Kingston Ontario to direct my first play .
The play I have chosen is your mother’s 13 hands.
Wow I do like a challenge! I would love the opportunity to discuss the play with you as I feel you may be able to help me analyze and understand it better.
It would be so appreciated if you could help me with this process.
Sincerely Lisa Arbo
Dear Ms. Shields,
I am applying to the community theatre in my hometown of Kingston Ontario to direct my first play .
The play I have chosen is your mother’s 13 hands.
Wow I do like a challenge! I would love the opportunity to discuss the play with you as I feel you may be able to help me analyze and understand it better.
It would be so appreciated if you could help me with this process.
Sincerely Lisa Arbo
Thank you for your email. I would be happy to talk. Please email me at cathy.shields2@gmail.com
We can chat there.