Growing up fast: siblings of special needs children

A few weeks ago, I was doing makeup for a client and she said something that spoke directly to one of my mama fears. My client is in high school but her maturity level is well beyond her years. As she was sitting in my chair, I told her how mature she is, how she […]

Family, Special Needs

As we round out another VERY full year, I carved out some time to reflect and think through the highlights—for me and my family.  Oh, and if you want a trip down memory lane, here is my 2020 year in review! 2021 Year in Review Two intensive PT programs for Jax  Jaxlee did two separate […]

Business, Family

2021 Year in Review

Emily Barton reviews her 2020 and 2021 plans

As we round out another VERY full year, I carved out some time to reflect and think through the highlights—for me and my family.  Oh, and if you want a trip down memory lane, here is my 2020 year in review! 2021 Year in Review Two intensive PT programs for Jax  Jaxlee did two separate […]

Business, Family

2021 Year in Review

Emily Barton reviews her 2020 and 2021 plans

5 things I want you to know about my non-verbal child

The question I got asked this week was, “Is she deaf?”  As a mom of a daughter with special needs, I’m used to answering questions people have—or reading peoples’ faces when they have questions but are too uncomfortable to ask.  This was the first time I had been asked this particular question, but when I […]

Special Needs

Cerebral Palsy warrior

As a first time mom of a daughter with Cerebral Palsy, I didn’t spend much time at playdates with other kids Jaxlee’s age. I preferred to hang out with my friends who didn’t have kids or friends whose kids were significantly older than mine.  Looking back, I realize this was an act of protection and […]

Special Needs

How friends can support special needs parents

As a first time mom of a daughter with Cerebral Palsy, I didn’t spend much time at playdates with other kids Jaxlee’s age. I preferred to hang out with my friends who didn’t have kids or friends whose kids were significantly older than mine.  Looking back, I realize this was an act of protection and […]

Special Needs

How friends can support special needs parents

Real talk: special needs parenting fears

A few weeks ago another special needs mom reached out to me on Instagram and asked if I would share about how we decided to have more kids after Jaxlee. My heart goes out to her and all the other mamas who are grappling with this same decision. Let me start by saying I have […]

Special Needs

While I wouldn’t consider myself a tom-boy, I grew up playing sports, riding bikes outside with the neighbor kids, and taking dance classes just like a lot of my peers. When I pictured myself raising kids, I pictured the same things for them. After I had my first baby, the visions of these childhood activities […]

Special Needs

Horse therapy gave my daughter a childhood

While I wouldn’t consider myself a tom-boy, I grew up playing sports, riding bikes outside with the neighbor kids, and taking dance classes just like a lot of my peers. When I pictured myself raising kids, I pictured the same things for them. After I had my first baby, the visions of these childhood activities […]

Special Needs

Horse therapy gave my daughter a childhood

How my daughter speaks: the story of how my nonverbal child learned to communicate

As a mom to a child who is nonverbal, I’ve felt so heavy for what life was supposed to be like. When I pictured having a baby, I pictured a typical developing child. I anticipated hearing “mama” as her first word and melting at the sound of her sweet little voice. This wasn’t the case […]

Family, Special Needs

Jaxlee and AAC Tablet

When I held my second child in my arms for the first time, I experienced something new. Feeling her nurse, spending our first night together, and taking her home with me from the hospital felt like small miracles over and over again. It was a deep reflection of God’s grace, and I’m so grateful that […]

Family, Special Needs

Our NICU story

When I held my second child in my arms for the first time, I experienced something new. Feeling her nurse, spending our first night together, and taking her home with me from the hospital felt like small miracles over and over again. It was a deep reflection of God’s grace, and I’m so grateful that […]

Family, Special Needs

Our NICU story

Friendship and connection as a special needs mom

The other night I was sitting around a dinner table with a couple of new mom friends. We were taking care of ourselves– out at a rooftop restaurant, sipping on drinks, and talking without interruption. It was everything we all needed: the food, the drinks, and the connection.  But as we kept talking and getting […]

Family, Special Needs