Kelsey's News Articles

For the past six years, Diane has been writing a newspaper column in The Examiner, the eastern Jackson County Newspaper. In Diane’s weekly column, she shares her years of knowledge, passion, advocacy and love for her daughter Kelsey and all those with special needs. During the past 30 years, Diane has written over 400 articles on Kelsey, her life and the unique experiences of special needs families and their children. Enjoy!

Some Birds never leave the Nest
One day, shortly after moving to Missouri, my eight your old son Jeremy called me to his second floor bedroom. I ran upstairs to see what he wanted to share with me. On a tree branch, outside his window, was a nest with three blue eggs. For the first time in my life I saw robin eggs and they were beautiful . . .



My Chicken Soup Story
As parents, we know our children better that anyone else. Yet, sometimes we are hesitant to speak up on their behalf. Let me explain. Several years ago, our special needs daughter had the most serious surgery of her life. The procedure was a meticulous spinal chord operation and was found to be very beneficial to cerebral palsied children . . .





Christmas Lights
It was twenty-six years ago in December. The lights above their small cribs were bright and warm. As I leaned over to look at my tiny premature babies, I could see a miniature strand of color wrapped around the end of an adjacent crib . . .

A Work of Heavenly Art
Just a few days ago, I ran into a friend who mentioned that her coworker had delivered a premature baby. She had fear in her eyes when I asked if the baby was doing okay. She shook her head and said, “The baby has Downs”. I immediately responded with, “she’ll be fine . . .she will be a wonderful addition to her family . . .there are hidden blessings . . .





Kelsey's Pumkin Head Stories
The next three articles entitled "Pumpkin Head are about the educational efforts that made it possible for Kelsey to write her own fictional Halloween story. . .
Pumpkin Head Part I
           Pumpkin Head Part II
                      Pumpkin Head Part III