Who The Blankety-Blank Am I?

Hi. My name is Erik. Here is the vital info:

Born:

Fresno, CA

Raised:

Anchorage, AK

Family Get-Up:

This is Sharla, my wife.

One of the finest women I've ever known.

(Translation: She rules.)

This is Alex, my son.

He's awesome, and he knows it.

This is Miriam, my daughter.

Aside from being in the select group of finest women I've ever known,

she also has cerebral palsy. She cannot walk, and is completely dependent.

Here is Miriam with her new communication pad and switch.

Obligatory shot of me behind a stone hart.

I wonder if there is some deep psychological meaning in this picture?

This is Rambo, Lord and Master.

He rules all. We must obey his every whim.

What Do You Do?

Elementary School Teacher. Writer. Film Nut. I also make haunted houses!

Why Are You Wasting My Time?

Because I'm self-centered and want to enjoy the freedom of writing my own personal literary selfie because I'm just. That. Awesome.

Seriously, though, a blog was furthest from my mind. Yet I kept getting requests from people to share a father's perspective on having a child with special needs. As a teacher, I have opportunities to work with children with a wide variety of challenges, so I bring practical experience. A little.

Who Cares?

Probably nobody. Or you might.

Fathers tend to get swept under the rug when a family has a child with a physical and/or mental and/or emotional challenge. Many fathers in my experience feel they must keep the family together, to be strong. I can respect that, but I also know it helps to get ideas and perspective from others in similar conditions.

What Kind of Audience Should Flee This Tripe?

Parents. Parents raising kids with disabilities. Parents raising anyone with disabilities. Anyone raising anyone with disabilities. Anyone raising anyone for any reason. Anyone who has ever seen anyone else. You get the idea.

If you know someone who might enjoy sharing common thoughts in these areas (fathers, mothers, friends, family, anybody), please pass the good word.

I've Tried to Be Rude, and Yet I Keep Reading. Why?

Because no matter who you are, where you live, what language you speak, what culture you enjoy, all of humanity is more connected on a basic level than we're prepared to admit.

I'm Sorry. I've Been Rude.

You have, but I forgive you. Now go back and read my blog. Thanks.