learning to navigate the world, j-bear style

About This Blog

About J-Bear and I

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It sounds so cliche to write this as “hi, I’m a mom” but, right now, that’s my biggest job description. I’m mother to the amazing J, former employee of America’s Most Beloved Ballpark, lover of way too many things for my limited time,  and occasional blog post writer.

I am a life long learner. I am mentally ill, working hard every day to live with complex PTSD.  I am open to hearing what people have to offer and say, especially when it comes to educating myself about autism, special needs advocacy, service dogs and ways I can enrich the life of my son. Please feel free to comment or catch me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jbearandme. The above image was taken by Laura Fiorillo of Family Tree Photography. Check our her amazing talent here.

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This handsome fella is J, J-Bear, Jacobly, and so many other nicknames it’d take their own page to list them all. He was born in June 2010 and diagnosed with suspected autism in August 2012. His complete diagnosis came in February 2013 . J goes to year-round preschool, has multiple therapy appointments and generally is a growing boy on the go. His favorite things are Thomas the Tank Engine, Pocoyo, balls, cars, trains, chocolate donut holes and anything that involves running, jumping and climbing. He is a funny and shockingly gentle boy, proving to me every day that stereotypes are out there to be challenged and shattered.aftertrack

October 2014 saw us blessed with this beautiful golden retriever named Brooklyn trained by 4 Paws for Ability. She is J’s autism service dog and an important part of our day to day lives.  She was a tremendous partner from 10/2014 until 6/2015 and we miss her deeply every day. We are now working with the wonderful people at APAW – American Poodles at Work to have a new partner placed with J. They are local to our family and we are able to volunteer during our wait.

About this Blog

This blog started as a way to vent and to deal with all that surrounds being J’s mom and living with my own skeletons in the closet.  Everything on this blog is by me unless otherwise cited. Here’s the legal bits:

© Nicole Ryan and J-Bear and Me, 2013-2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Ryan and J-Bear and Me with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Do not repost images from within without express written permission. 

From time to time when Amazon links are used in posts they will be noted as Affiliate links. This blog is part of the Amazon Affiliate Program, as rare as I use it.

1 Comment

  1. Gretchen Mercer

    This is my first visit to your blog, and I am so inspired by your warm love for JBear. I have followed the journey of Tripp Halstead on fb for over a year and became interested in Ride to Give through Stacy’s posts. It is absolutely thrilling to me seeing this beautifully amazing golden just waiting to fall in love with and care for your beautiful boy!
    Our family includes two golden retreivers, brothers from the same litter. I had always heard about their reputation with children, but now I understand on a completely different level. These dogs truly must have golden hearts! There is a purity and soulfulness in their personalities that just connect with my soul. I can only imagine how priceless one who has been trained to focus on and help your son will be to your family!
    Our Jasper has an innate interest in the physical well being of people. He senses when someone is hurt or not feeling well and checks on his people by sniffing their breath! One Christmas my daughter and two daughters-in-law were all pregnant at our gathering. Jasper was in heaven, going from one to the other, waiting on each of them to blow in his face! He loved the smell of their breath during that time period.
    Imagine how fantastic it will be to have a precious, loving companion for your little boy whose instincts scream out to them to love and care for him all day long…every day!
    I am just thrilled that Brooklyn will soon be with your family and pray God’s special blessings on all of you. And thank you for writing from your heart about your life with Jbear! There are so many moms and dad…grandmother and granddads, too…who are comforted just knowing there is somebody who understands their journey.
    Most sincerely,
    Gretchen Mercer

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