The blog of Christopher Gullmans
How do you find a sense of belonging when you deal with uncommon or rare issues? How do you reconcile disabilities without losing your sense of self-worth? Are you selfish if you don't stay and try to fix a broken system? We recently returned from a trip to the United States. Part of the reason... Continue Reading →
There was a time in life I would've given anything to be "normal" (as far as I'd seen from those around me). However, having unexpectedly found myself in the rather unique position of becoming a father—with disabilities (Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Tourettes syndrome)—to a son who also has a disability (Down syndrome) has taught me that I almost... Continue Reading →
Of course, not the people, but their hurtful words. As someone whose life didn't start out like that of the vast majority of people around me, it's not hard to see why people like me, i.e. adoptees, might want to shy away from being themselves. It's easy for many to say "of course you should... Continue Reading →
Let's get straight to the point here: having a disability doesn't mean you are completely helpless. It simply means that you are having to learn and do things a bit differently from those around you, and that's something I have come to learn is not a failure. On the contrary, it makes you more creative,... Continue Reading →
As I'm typing this on my phone in Amadeus' hospital room, my son is resting in his hospital bed, hooked up to a device that monitors his vital signs, while a soft "hisssss" can be heard from his oxygen mask. Meanwhile, my phone is buzzing left and right with congratulations on having been awarded 2023... Continue Reading →
I'll be honest: When we first found out (prenatally) that our boy had Down syndrome, it was devastating. I had to fight my inner demons saying things like "what will the world think about him and us?", "What if I don't love him?" and "Will I be happy?". I think it's safe to say that... Continue Reading →
I know how this sounds, but bear with me. As I look back at my life, I see a pathological people-pleaser, literally unable to put his own needs first before helping others. While I theoretically knew I had a problem with this, somehow I also imagined myself being an endless source of helping hands. But... Continue Reading →
I find myself sitting here, half-way through my vacation, staring out the window. Outside, the rain pours down, and I think to myself, "some vacation this is." And then I stop myself and remember why the grass is green, why the birds fly, and why I was able to have a proper meal on my... Continue Reading →
No matter the culture, no matter the language, no matter the child–one universal fact transcends every border and every notion man could ever invent: a child is born to love. There are many things a child can do without, but a sense of belonging isn’t one of them. But I am about to have a... Continue Reading →
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