Distress Screening Is a Good Beginning

It was May of 1999. Having just turned 41 years old, I was on top of life. Adoring my role as a hands-on mom for our three young children, the oldest one deaf since birth, I enjoyed using my background in special education and psychology and my creativity and love for music, drama, and art. My work brought me fulfillment and gave tremendous meaning to my life. I was celebrating the publication of my first book for parents and professionals on helping children with special needs develop language skills, and giving book presentations was great. Between teaching college students majoring in special education and serving on the board of several committees to advocate for special education services for students, I was traveling, entertaining, playing guitar, and singing in a local choral group. I was on the move every minute of every day.