Charlie’s been off from school since Friday for the long Memorial Day weekend. Here in Jersey, Memorial Day signals the start of summer, as swimming pools open up and lifeguards return to their stations. We’d stayed mostly close to home (except for a kayak ride on the Hudson) and noted lines of cars heading down the shore via the Garden State Parkway.
Charlie, as I’ve often noted, loves the ocean. It’s the place where he is in his natural element. He’s a tremendous swimmer in the waves and the easy beach life—where all you have to do is wear …read more

On January 23rd, 5-year-old Anyah Raven Glossinger—who was legally blind and autistic—drowned in a mineral pool while undergoing hydrotherapy, today’s CBS2 (Palm Springs) reports. Glossinger had been participating in the United Cerebral Palsy’s Little Bridges after-school program; two of the coaches supervising her, Elva Lerma and Sixto Mitre, are now on paid leave.
It’s hardly the first time I’ve read about an autistic child drowning. Remember Tyji Chester—and Jabriel Eason—-and Hayley Williams—-and Jaden Fournier—many others. With summer coming and more pools open—-and other bodies of water, like the pond near our condo—-when there’s water, you can never be too …read more