Redefining Typical

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10 Responses to “Home”

1. Cheryl Peters Gibbins Says:

   February 22, 2011 at 7:28 pm

   Hello,
   We share a mutual friend in Maria Manahan.

   She shared your blog with me…I think you and I met once at Campbellstone.

   I have a almost 29 year old son Brian that is autistic…

   Your blog brings back so many memories…it will help alot of parents that are dealing with the same difficulties…great job!

   Maria speaks of Dawson often and I include him on my prayer list.

   It is interesting…Brian also has a sister…she is 18 mos. younger…the story reminded me of Tif and Brian.

   She is in her 3rd semester of Law School wanting to specialize in Disability Rights…

   I think having a autistic brother gave her a very different view of the world and gives her the strength to follow her bliss…I am sure you daug. will do the same.

   Many Blessings,
   Cheryl

   Reply
   • Cheairs Graves Says:

     February 24, 2011 at 12:27 am

     Cheryl
     Maria keeps me posted with Brian. I am always so amazed with how you have advocated for him. I know it has been a long journey for you. Thank you for the kind words.

     Reply
2. Christine Says:

   February 23, 2011 at 4:33 pm

   Cheairs, your blog is wonderful…not surprising coming from you as you are also wonderful! I feel honored to get a glimpse into your world & look forward to every Nov when we get to see your family. Tell your sis that the pics are gorgeous…how lucky you are to have such amazing glimpses into your kids that will last a lifetime!

   Reply
   • admin Says:

     February 26, 2011 at 1:43 am

     Christine….thank for letting me share this journey with you! Cheairs

     Reply
3. Jon Fried Says:

   May 10, 2011 at 10:50 pm

   Hi Cheairs,

   I got your note about leaving me a message through Facebook about using a SingSOS song. I’d love to find out more. Email me at info@singsos.org, OK?

   Jon Fried

   Reply
4. Kellie Stafford Says:

   September 8, 2011 at 7:08 pm

   OH Cheairs, I just found your blog. I am raising my 7 year old grandson Hunter with autism and his 6 year old sister Hannah. Every story is like you have a window to my heart. What a beautiful writer. It like those are my feelings but never have those words would have never made on paper. Thank you so much. I have had a hard time getting anything done, I just want to read your blog.

   Reply
   • Cheairs Says:

     September 10, 2011 at 3:07 pm

     Kellie,
     I feel so honored that you have found my words comforting and meaningful to you. Please know that your words help me to know that I am not alone on this journey. I hope that you were able to get some work done.

     Reply
5. April Says:

   September 14, 2011 at 4:13 am

   I found your blog via “In their own words” from the Autism Speaks website. I don’t know whether to use the term heart-wrenching or heart-warming. I find your words, your prose, your feeling, and your metaphors touch an emotional cord that leaves me stunned and stripped bare. I, too, write as a healing mechanism, and the writer in me appreciates your ability to take raw feelings, daily observation, and really delve into the emotional rub of life with a child on the spectrum. I can relate. I can relate. I can relate. As I read your words, I can’t help but feel a little bit raw. I can FEEL what you are saying. I can SEE what you are experiencing. But the beauty of it all is despite the journey, how sometimes we parents of children on the spectrum feel helpless, without all the answers, without understanding everything about our child we feel we are supposed to know, that there also is that underlying beauty about what gifts these children bring to us, how they really DO bring tolerance, compassion, and understanding in a way that I can only wish that others who are not touched in some way by the journey to achieve tolerance, compassion and understanding will never know. Thank you for this. Thank you for your eloquence, your passion, your love, and your emotion. It brings to live both the joy and the struggle of parenting a child on the spectrum. The voice you give to autism creates a bridge for others to understand another piece of the puzzle.

   Reply
   • Cheairs Says:

     September 27, 2011 at 10:21 am

     April,
     I am so touched and moved by your comment. I am so glad that you write as a way of healing. The written word is such a poweful tool to help us to see and feel. I thank you for reading and for letting me share. Please know that your kind words are a gift to me.

     Reply
6. Ana Paula Antunes Says:

   February 5, 2012 at 11:22 am

   Dear Cheairs
   I’m a portuguese teacher doing some research about ASD and I want to ask permission for use some of your narratives in my PhD theses. Ok course I ‘ll write your name but I want to ask permission.
   Your narratives are very inspiring for those who are working with children with ASD.
   A big kiss from Portugal
   Paula

   Reply