On September 30, 2011, I wrote a column for the St. Paul Pioneer Press about Jimmy Reagan, a young adult with autism who is an emerging artist (http://bit.ly/ntyE0A).  In this guest blog post, his mother, Peg Schneeman Reagan, provides a fascinating update. Over the last six months, Jimmy’s art has been growing in ways that
[continue reading...]

A growing number of young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder are reaching adulthood.  Families are searching for options and opportunities; for living arrangements that work and employment opportunities that are well designed and meaningful.  In the coming weeks, I will highlight programs and opportunities that are in place.  It’s a starting point for families like
[continue reading...]

My guest blog post that appeared on Laura Shumaker’s San Francisco Chronicle blog (SFgate.com)  on October 20, 2011. I sat down at the table for our 2 p.m. meeting and looked up at the clock. We were about to design my son’s last IEP (Individualized Education Plan) – the roadmap for his final services from
[continue reading...]

I never met Major Chuck Creech and for that I am most sorry.  I heard a lot about Chuck and his wife Sara from my sister Traci, who counts them among her most treasured friends.  Chuck was a military man who served our country with great pride and distinction.  He earned two Meritorious Service Medals for
[continue reading...]

For well over a decade I was the Sullivan family medical crisis manager.  It seemed the waves kept rolling in, starting with my son’s autism diagnosis, followed by my late husband’s first heart attack and subsequent visits to the heart clinic, my cancer, and my daughter’s bone marrow transplant.  Someone always needed me, in a
[continue reading...]

They can be quirky;  they may not look you in the eye; they may resist a handshake.  They may speak with an affect or not speak much at all.  If you get them going on a topic near to their hearts, they may not stop talking. Someone dear to me has many of these tendencies
[continue reading...]

Watching news reports of massive snowstorms across the country earlier this week, I was overcome with gratitude.  I’m grateful that, for once, we who live in the Twin Cities escaped the storm. I ‘m grateful that I live in a warm house with food in the fridge and cars in the garage.  I’m grateful that
[continue reading...]

I’ve been battling the dissonance that sets in when my words and actions are out of sync. Months ago, after spending an unprecedented amount of time at funerals, I made peace with the reality that life is impermanent.  I resolved to do my best to embrace each day as a gift.  I was so determined
[continue reading...]

I have a confession to make. I’m smitten.  I’m smitten with a blond guy with charcoal eyes who puts his head on my lap when I’m working on my computer.  His name is Chuck.  Chuck Dammit to be exact.  He is the four-legged guy my daughter coerced me into adding to our family four months
[continue reading...]

I moved to Minnesota from Salt Lake City in the summer of 1981.  Ten days later, a tornado blew through, taking down huge trees in the south Minneapolis neighborhood where I was barely settled in.  One of them landed on my powder blue VW bug, only feet from where I was taking cover with friends. 
[continue reading...]