Kelly Shank
Kelly moved from Indiana to Columbia six years ago for her husband’s job. He works for the Fireflies...let’s glow! They have one son, Callan, who is almost five, and one furbaby, Eddie, who is six. Their son Cal was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder a little over a year ago. For the past couple of years, their life has been consumed with all things therapy related. Columbia and the surrounding area (Kelly lives in Chapin) has truly been a wonderful place to call home. They’ve met the most amazing people, have attended a wonderful church, and have found a deep love for this special place for reasons she never would have guessed!
A Holiday Survival Guide for the Special Needs Mom
I’ve just recently come to accept that holidays look a little different for our family. I think in years past I tried really hard to force a “normal” holiday experience but always came away...
When It’s Your Time
I don’t like to talk about things like my weight. I don’t like to talk about things like my struggle with depression. I don’t like to talk about things like my anxiety attacks.
But I...
New School Year, New Perspective
Summer is coming to end. For some, it's already ended. New year, new chapter. This can be a very exciting time for many, but for some, a new year presents all the unknowns, which...
The Columbia Fireflies Neon Kids Club of 2022
I know my mama friends out there are already gearing up for summer plans for their kiddos. What’s out there to keep them busy and social? What’s out there to keep me from losing...
Love Doesn’t Need Words
My son and I have this thing where we say “I love you” in sign language, and then flip it around to make the Spider-Man “thwip” hand. Sometimes he’ll kiss his palm and shoot...
Autism Acceptance Month :: Understanding What Autism is Not
The month of April is Autism Acceptance Month.
It used to be called Autism Awareness month. However, that was recently changed. Anyone that has felt the effects of Autism knows there is a huge...
Autism Awareness Night at Segra Park
In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, Segra Park, home of the Columbia Fireflies, is hosting their very first Autism Awareness Night on Tuesday, April 19th.
Not only is it $2 Tuesday ($2 hot dogs,...
Pride and Autism
When my son turned two, our pediatrician first mentioned Autism. We had been keeping an eye on my son’s speech, knowing he was delayed. He was never non-verbal, but also not where he should...
Communicating What They Cannot Say
When my son was two, we knew his verbal skills were behind. Our pediatrician kept a close eye on him and made us aware of his delay. Around the age of two was when...
A New Year, A New Way to Look At Yourself
“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, we ought to walk through the rooms...
The Life of a Special Needs Parent :: An Interview With Three Special Needs...
Being the mom of a child with special needs requires a unique strength. Special needs moms have a different way of viewing the world. But there is something that makes them just like any...
Changing the Narrative of Autism
"Autism. Where hearts melt and hearts break on a daily basis, sometimes at the same time. Autism is hard, love is easy. My child is worth every moment.”
-Fiona Goldsworthy
What do you do when...
Why I Chose Not to Breastfeed
I had severe preeclampsia with my son. It resulted in an emergency c-section, and my son being transferred by ambulance to a higher level NICU at a different hospital than I was at, for...
How School Supplies Had Me Saying “What If?”
I was walking through Target with my son and we saw the school supplies all being set out. The summer items were already dwindling and being replaced by crayons, markers, and notebooks.
It’s July. Summers...