Blogs

Raising a child with disabilities has its moments - of hilarity. Our family roars at the recollection of infamous Noni Baloney moments, brought to you by our daughter with special needs, Noni.

Like the time we walked into Uncle Melvin's wake to greet the family. In this hushed, sacred space for all to hear, Noni broadcasts, "Megan, you've got a booger on your nose!"

Cousin Megan, mortified and trying to shush her, softly explains she is wearing a nose ring.

Noni, whose "inside voice" is still a work in progress, will not be shushed. Fully confident that she knows a booger when she sees one, she turns up the volume of her voice. "No, no, no, you've got a booger on your nose, right there," she points, touching her finger to Megan's nose.

A contingent of cousins loses control, and laughter gets the best of the mourners.

Uncle Mel would be howling.

In high school, during regular Monday morning conversation about What I Did Over the Weekend, Noni announces to her class, "I started my period." After a quick reminder about not sharing personal information, her teacher redirects her by asking what else happened. Noni answers, "Jacy (little sister) started hers, too."

The girl is a free spirit. So proud of herself after successfully undressing one night before putting on her pajamas, she appeared naked in her teenaged brother's bedroom, beaming and exclaiming, "Look at me! I did it all my myself!"

Her dad's favorite antic is handing his little buttercup the phone when a telemarketer calls.

Noni (who can't pronounce her L's): "Ha-woh!"

Caller: Asks about consolidating debt, opening a checking account, participating in a survey or voting for a political candidate. Sound familiar?

Noni: Louder, "Ha-woh! I don't know."

Caller: Repeats the question.

Noni: Shouting now with gusto, "Ha-woh! I don't know!" Followed by, "Hey, he hung up on me!"

Works every time.

- Cindy Schulz

Cindy Schulz, communications exec and author of the blog Baloney Macaroni, writes and speaks about living a wonderful life with special needs - and not taking no for an answer. She's raised four young-adult children, including one with disabilities.