Adventures in KAndylaND
The Invisible Job: Why Full-Time Work Is So Hard for Special Needs Parents
by Christy VacchioBehind every special needs parent who “can’t keep a full-time job” is a second, invisible one.
Beyond the therapies and doctor appointments lies a full-time role as administrator—managing paperwork, appeals, medical forms, waivers, and deadlines that determine whether vital services continue or disappear. Even in families with support systems, this unseen labor quietly shapes careers, schedules, and financial stability.
This post offers a 48-hour window into that invisible work—and asks a bigger question: not why special needs parents struggle to stay employed, but why the system requires them to hold two full-time jobs just to survive.
7 Ways to Advocate and Support Friends and Family with a Rare Disease
by Christy Vacchio
I had a question from one of my friends today so I thought I would address it in a blog post. This person asked me, "What is the best way for me to...
August: Our Family's Diaversary Month
by Christy Vacchio
For every parent, the birth of their child is a significant month. But for the parent of a child with a rare disease, or a significant diagnosis, the month of diagnosis is also a time that is forever remembered. For some, especially in the diabetes world, we call this our "Diaversary". August is always a hard month for us because both of our children were diagnosed with a rare form of diabetes that month. Neonatal Diabetes
Towers of Pillows
by Christy
Anybody who has a child on the spectrum or with SPD probably took one peak at that title and shook their head in understanding. “Yep, my kid does that too” you’re saying. Sometimes I look at Andy and just think, …
Katie’s New Diagnosis
by Christy
This is an overdue post. We’ve now been in the Cincinnati area for over a year and we have been slowly getting the kids settled into their new team of doctors at Cincinnati Children’s. After meeting with the endocrinologist, neurologist …
Mom’s Bright Idea! Let’s Go For A Walk!
by Christy
If you are a parent of at least one child on the spectrum or with SPD or motor delays, you will no doubt relate to this story. When I see other children outside playing in their yards or close to …
Day #5 of D-Blog Week: Awesomeness
by Christy
Awesome things – Friday 5/13:In February the #dsma blog carnival challenged us to write about the most awesome thing we’d done DESPITE diabetes. Today let’s put a twist on that topic and focus on the good things diabetes has brought …
Hopes and Fears Pop Up in Dreams
by Christy
I know that dreams can have a lot of meaning and sometimes they are a little mysterious and hard to understand. Then at other times, what you dream is very straightforward and hits you in the face. Last night I …
Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge – Day 1
by Christy
The people over at Wego Health have issued a challenge. Blog every day for the month of April on your condition. It can be difficult for us to sometimes come up with a topic, especially when things are going smoothly …
Developmental Ups and Downs
by Christy
We were dealt a blow yesterday. Katie is behind. When Andy was on insulin so many years ago, we knew he was behind. He wasn’t doing anything he should be doing right on track. As a parent, you always want the best for your child, but you also instinctively “know” when something is wrong.
Why I Blog
by Christy
One of the moms in the DOC (Diabetes Online Community), Dawn of Sugar Free Candyland, posted today about why she blogs. This idea came from one of her friends, Dawnmarie of Words from DUG. It’s interesting that this came up …
Cheers and Fears
by Christy
As I walked out the door with Andy this morning, I hesitantly let go of his hand. Just yesterday I was telling Dan how we had been practicing every morning with walking next to Mommy instead of holding my hand …
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