Tales From an Exhausted Medical Mama

Becoming a Seriously Happy Special Needs Mom by Linda James Bennett was such a great read. I highlight things in books that resonate with me, and I did a lot of highlighting in this book.   This journey is definitely not for the weak. There have been countless times I have been on phone calls and had to hold my breath to keep from screaming and even times where I did. The red tape associated with getting things needed and DESERVED for your child is so thick that at times, it seems impossible to cut through. To be honest, there have been times that I have wondered if they don't make things hard on purpose just to see who will give up and who will be relentless. Those parents who don't know any better and accept "no" as a final answer saves the government or insurance entities money so it's a win for them. It is NOT a win for our kids! I am a stay-at-home mom and I seriously do not know how parents work and manage everything that is required on a monthly basis for m...

  I find peace in knowing that one day, my girl will sit independently, walk, run, dance, twirl, climb, crawl, scoot, jump, skip, and do WHATEVER and ANYTHING she wants. With the way of the world, I know there is more suffering to come. However, I have assurance knowing that I will be delivered; I will be rescued, as well as my girl, countless family members and friends because as Romans 8:1 says, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  1 Th...

  Special needs grief.........Does it ever go away?  For me, it's a surface and pass, come and go thing. It is almost as if I go through the stages of grief for different phases or missed opportunities and milestones for my girl. I don't wallow in it or unpack for a pity party; I have my moment and I move on. I DO allow myself to experience it and to feel all the feels. I don't find burying negative emotions beneficial to one's overall mental health. I never want to be an emotional, erupting volcano that pushes feelings down to simmer and marinate, only to blow unexpectedly. How is it for you? #letstalkaboutit #navigatingtheignorance

The Social Security spousal rule that has been around for decades officially ends this year for everyone except those who turned 70 on Jan. 1, 2024. The rule allows recipients to switch between their benefits and their spouse’s to receive the maximum amount. But unless you were born before Jan. 1, 1954, you won’t be able to take advantage. As MarketWatch reported, under the expired rule, the higher-earning spouse would claim spousal benefits at full retirement age while the other spouse claims their own benefit. The higher earner would then switch to their benefits at age 70, which maximizes the monthly Social Security payment because of the delayed retirement credits. In addition, the lower-earning spouse would be able to claim a spousal benefit or keep their own, depending on which is higher. With that rule no longer in effect, you need to find other strategies to maximize your spousal benefits, Here are three things you should do: 1. Plan Ahead Making the most of Social Sec...