The Journey to the Truth
— Meagan Earley

I just finished my first month as an official first-year teacher. There have been quite a few tears and even more smiles, along with hugs and meltdowns — by both my students and myself.

Our family’s summer came to an end last week when Austen, my 7-year-old daughter with Dravet syndrome, and her siblings returned to school. It was a great summer, filled with swimming, exploring, and…

It’s been a long time since I’ve written — too long. But I have some amazing news to share. When Austen, my 7-year-old with Dravet syndrome, started having seizures, it put us on…

Later today, after writing this column, I will leave for a five-day vacation without my kids. My mom and dad will be taking care of my three children, including my youngest daughter, Austen,…

“Mom, where is my friend? You know, the one who looks like my twin?” We were at the baseball practice of my 8-year-old son, Atlas, and my daughter Austen, who is 6 and has…

When my 6-year-old daughter, Austen, was born, she seemed completely “normal” for the first five months of her life. She was born without complications and hit her developmental milestones according to a normal schedule.

When my daughter Austen, now 6, started having seizures years ago due to Dravet syndrome, it took us over six months to receive a diagnosis. That period was a whirlwind of seizures, hospitalizations,…

“Mom, I’ve decided I don’t want you working anymore. Now I have to go to school even earlier, and I get home even later.” Those are the words of my 8-year-old son, Atlas. Until…

“Mom, is Austen OK?” Addi, my 13-year-old daughter, was on the school bus headed home last week when she sent me the text. I was confused but assured her that…

I sent my two youngest children back to school earlier this month. While their oldest sister, Addi, 13, returned to school in November, neither my son, Atlas, 8, nor his younger sister,…

I sent my two youngest kids back to school this month for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. I wasn’t too worried about my son, Atlas, 8. He has thrived through two…

I took all three of my children out of school on March 13, 2020, the day before our local school district decided to switch to remote learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was…