Soccer is the sport that witnessed me falling in love with my husband. Perhaps the most romantic of the seasons, that first autumn gave me the best version of myself in the time of year I love most with the person I was meant to marry. Coaching high school soccer in a small town doesn’t… Continue reading Christopher and Dana Reeve Blog: “Goalkeeping Life Skills,” October 23, 2018
Pink is powerful and poignant and has perfected its job of making people aware of breast cancer. However, pink is not enough. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, October is not enough. Traditionally, we wear pink in October– in our hair, on our clothes, and in our souls to inspire awareness; however, awareness… Continue reading METAvivor Breast Cancer Research and Support: Stage 4 Needs More
We had a difference of opinion while putting away the summer crap this weekend. Geoff wanted to be able to get into our shed, which is never going to happen given that it is our only storage space for outdoor equipment. The bikes and his hand cycle live outside the shed under tarps, and I… Continue reading Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation: “To Be Daddy for a Day,” October 9, 2018
My good friend and colleague, Aaron, asked me how our game went last night. I respect Aaron very much as an experienced multi-sport coach, dedicated parent, and teacher who always models for his student athletes (and their parents) what good sportsmanship looks like, how to win and lose gracefully, and how to communicate expectations clearly.… Continue reading Why We Coach Youth Sports Even When…
As September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, we would be remiss in not honoring those with spinal cord injuries who came before us, whose contributions to healing and thriving despite injury have made life a little easier for our families living in the present. A complete spinal cord injury is a contract for life.… Continue reading Christopher Reeve Foundation Blog: “Spinal Cord Injury: a Lifetime Contract,” September 25, 2018
Dear Mr. Cosby, When I watched you yesterday on the news, at 81 years old, be taken to prison in handcuffs to serve 3-10 years as a convicted rapist, I was very sad. Sad, not for the condemnation by the court or guilty verdict, but for the 10 year old girl who loved watching your… Continue reading A Letter for Bill Cosby
If you haven’t heard, here in New England there is an ABUNDANCE of SQUIRRELS. They have been pictured happily swimming across lakes and sadly squished along highways. In a recent trip to southern NH, we counted 15 in about three miles on the interstate. Needless to say, the carnage has captured our children’s interest. “Mom,… Continue reading An Ode to Squirrels, 8th Graders, and Middle School Teachers
Last Sunday night before bed, as we were trying to “get back into the routine” and I was returning to school, my 8 year old son held my hand with one of his (the other clutched his favorite stuffed puppy), “Mom, how can you make me go to theater camp for an entire week?” Dramatic… Continue reading Why We Make Our Kids Do Hard Things
Recently, I set my grill on fire. Not like a huge fire where the fire department had to be called but big enough that I needed to employ my fire extinguisher, along with traumatizing our children. My parents had been over for dinner, so my dad felt compelled to remind me, his 43-year daughter, of… Continue reading Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Blog: “Asking for Help is Hard,” July 3, 2018
We have a few sets of friends right now in the world of spinal cord injuries having babies, and we could not be more excited for them to start this next adventure. “Bringing home baby” carries trepidation and anxiety for most new parents, and this is especially so when one has mobility challenges. I wasn’t… Continue reading Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Blog: “Favorite Adaptive Baby Tools,” June 25, 2018
Heather Ehrman Krill: The "Write" Kind of Coach 