The Journey to the Truth – a Column by Meagan Cheney

Meagan joined BioNews in 2020 as a columnist for Dravet Syndrome News. Before joining the BioNews team Meagan was a freelance writer for six years. She also runs her own blog www.athomewithmeagan.com, where she writes about homemaking and parenting. Meagan lives in Colorado with her husband and three children. Her youngest daughter, Austen, was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome in May 2016 at 1 year old.

Not All Autism Behaviors Are Negative

When I started this job, I really thought I would be writing about seizures each week. So, I find it kind of baffling that I barely write about them at all anymore. But the biggest “symptom” of Dravet syndrome we are…

For Our Family, Advent Is a Time of Needed Rest

I come from a diverse Christian background. My mom is Mormon, while my dad was raised Episcopalian. I’ve dabbled with nondenominational, Baptist, and Pentecostal churches in my own search for what was right for me. When my daughter, Austen, was 4 months old — just three…

When Special Needs Moms Get Sick

Moms don’t get sick days. I remember my mom telling me that one day when I called in desperation. The Army had recently moved us to California for my husband’s training, the first time I had ever been away from my family long-term.

Seeing Epilepsy Awareness in a New Light

I have a confession. I used to hate Epilepsy Awareness Month. Maybe it’s because our daughter Austen’s first seizure happened in November, so I’m a little bitter about the month in general. Or maybe it’s because I’m a naturally introverted person,…

When Autism Fixations Rule Your Days

“Look at the sky, Mom, it’s orange. That means it’s Halloween!” Austen was right, the sky was a very beautiful orange that morning. But I gently tried to explain to her that it wasn’t yet Halloween. It was no use. Within minutes, we were in full…