Amy Quonce, author
  • A Family No More
  • Praise for A Family No More
  • The first 30 Days in Heaven
  • Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways
  • About The Author
  • Media/Speaking
  • Home
  • Guest book

Keep us in your thoughts...

9/28/2011

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Keep us in your thoughts...

9/28/2011

1 Comment

 
When I snapped this photo it was just to have a funny picture before I sent my husband off for a minor surgery.  Now here it is 12 hours later, and he is lying in the ICU.  As life has given us an unexpected hurdle, I would like to ask for everyone to be keeping him in your thoughts.  The next few days will be bumpy and I am trying to keep optimistic.  But I can't help to worry about how I am going to handle his care, along with my daughter having her surgery scheduled in just a few short days.  They are both depending on me, and I pray that I will be able to stay strong for both of them.  They say you are never given more than what you can handle, it is yet to be seen if I am up for the challenge.
Picture
I would like to send a quick thank you to my dear friend Lisa, who was by my side from the moment that I called her.  She is a gift that has been given to me and I am grateful for that.

'til I see you again
~Am

1 Comment

One world, many stories

9/26/2011

0 Comments

 
http://oswegocountytoday.com/?p=70500

The link above is from OswegoDailyNews.Com, which recently posted an article on the Literacy Event that I attended this past weekend.  I got the privledge of meeting many wonderful people while I was there.  Asides from the authors, I shook hands with Senator William Barclay, spoke in depth with the program coordinator for Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County, and chatted endlessly with the vast amount of visitors who came to enjoy the day.  It was a wonderful experience to be able to take part in.

The picture below of me and Dee Marie, author of The Sons of Avalon.
Picture
0 Comments

One world, many stories

9/26/2011

0 Comments

 
http://oswegodailynews.com.look-for.us/

The link above is from OswegoDailyNews.Com, which recently posted an article on the Literacy Event that I attended this past weekend.  I got the privledge of meeting many wonderful people while I was there.  Asides from the authors, I shook hands with Senator William Barclay, spoke in depth with the program coordinator for Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County, and chatted endlessly with the vast amount of visitors who came to enjoy the day.  It was a wonderful experience to be able to take part in.

The picture below of me and author Dee Marie, author of The Sons of Avalon.
Picture
0 Comments

One world, many stories

9/26/2011

1 Comment

 
http://oswegodailynews.com.look-for.us/

The link above is from OswegoDailyNews.Com, which recently posted an article on the Literacy Event that I attended this past weekend.  I got the privledge of meeting many wonderful people while I was there.  Asides from the authors, I shook hands with Senator William Barclay, spoke in depth with the program coordinator for Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County, and chatted endlessly with the vast amount of visitors who came to enjoy the day.  It was a wonderful experience to be able to take part in.

The picture below of me and author Dee Marie, author of The Sons of Avalon.
Picture
1 Comment

Celebrate Literacy

9/23/2011

0 Comments

 
On Saturday September 25, 2011 the Oswego Literacy Coaliation is launching a free event to the public.  One World, Many Stories will be held at the Oswego Armory from 11-4.  Included in the day's interary is a bounce house for the kids, balloon animals, face painting, food, crafts, book give aways, the paws for reading program, Oswego Book Mobile, and an author's corner where you can meet some of your favorite authors.  If you look close enough you will find me sitting among these talent writers.

I will be there sharing information on the From Caring To Sharing Project, which is a propsed anthology about living life with disabilities.  The community is invited to share their short stories and poems on how a disability has affected their lives.  Maybe there is a teacher who has a student that touched their heart.  Perhaps a grandmother has as funny anctedote about their grandchild who has autism.  Is there a parent out there that has a tear jerking story about their own child who has triumphed despite a disability?  Everyone is welcomed to submit a piece of work.  After all of the stories have been compiled together, I will be putting together a book proposal and sending it out to book publishers.

Young or young at heart, literacy is the foundation of our world. “The goal of The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is to empower our community to build literacy in a collaborative, inclusive and comprehensive
manner,” said Philip R. Church, Oswego County Administrator and coalition chairperson. “The Coalition is dedicated to supporting and expanding literacy services so that people can work, the economy can grow, families can thrive, and our community can prosper.” says Joanne Ciezesk, chairperson from the Oswego Literacy Coalition.
Picture
0 Comments

A room for two please

9/20/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.  This is what I vowed to my husband on the day that we became man and wife. Those words were precious and I did not take them lightly.  So when he needed to go to the emergency room at two in the morning, I was right there by side.  I was going to be there for him in his time of need, just as he has done for me in the past.

 Nestled up close to his bed, I sat in a chair holding his hand and offered assurances that everything was going to be fine.  I would oversee his care and tend to his needs. He could always count on me. But shortly after the well meaning words left my mouth, his tiny hospital room  became a room for two.

Injuring myself while at the infirmary, a second bed was found and stratetic place alongside of my husband’s.  For the next seven hours we sat together, each caring for the other from behind our string of wires and IV’s. Both in pain, we could help but to laugh at the situation that we found ourselves in.  His and Hers hospital beds, taking turns getting x-rays and EKG’s…it was comical despite our growing concerns for one another.  It reminded me of that solemn commitment that we made to each other and I couldn’t think of a better example of how we had lived up to that promise.  Here we were, together in a bleak situation, yet grateful that we could look into the eyes of the one that we loved and feel comfort.  Life doesn’t get any better than that.

What kind of commitments have you made in your life that you want to live up to?  Perhaps you want to be kinder to others.  Maybe it is to spend more time with your kids.  For some that commitment that they made was to themselves.  Did you always mean to go back to school but never found the time?  Have you been
working up the courage to make a life altering decision such as leaving an abusive situation?  Whether your promise was to yourself or somebody else, take a moment and reflect upon what your goal was when you made the promise.  Is this something that you are willing to risk never achieving or will you take the first step today towards bringing your hopes to reality.  

I hope you choose the latter.


0 Comments

Hakuna Matata ?

9/17/2011

0 Comments

 
For months now my daughter and I have been awaiting for this weekend to arrive. From the moment that she received The Lion King musical tickets for her birthday, September 17th was marked on the calendar and the several months countdown to that stupendous day had begun. 

As a Disney enthusiastic, The Lion King is by far her favorite show. Simba has forever been dubbed "her baby" and until the VHS player stopped working, that movie was played over and over in our household. So when she found out that not only she was going to see The Lion King up on stage, but the release of the 3D movie was coming out in theaters the night before, she has been on cloud nine. This was to be her weekend in paradise. Nothing was going to keep us away.

Or was there?

With a strategic plan of a tightly closed timeline, we were to view the first showing at the theaters right after work on Friday. This left only a 30 minute window to leave work and get there on time, but it was feasible. I called my husband as I approached closer to our home to have my daughter ready and waiting outside for me when I pulled in. He said that he would, and "Oh by the way, I hurt myself this morning."  

Not thinking anything too much of it, I pulled into the driveway and got out to check on my husband while my daughterflew into the car eager to go. One look at him told me something was seriously wrong. The anguish on his face revealed how much pain he was really in. I knew plans needed to be changed. I told him that we would see the movie a different time and I told him to get into the car so that we could go to the hospital. He glanced over at my daughter sitting in the front seat with a grin that spanned from ear to ear and told me "Don't worry." He tried to convince me that he would  be fine and to go have fun. Not being able to change his mind, I left him
to his own accord and brought my daughter to the movies.

While she could not contain her excitement through the entire show, I on the other hand could not enjoy myself. 
 My mind was wondering about my husband's health. I excused myself twice to call and check on him. I rushed right home afterwards and tried once again to convince him to let me take him to the hospital. Again, he told me "Don't worry."

While Simba, Timon, and Pumba may have sung "Hakuna Mata", I couldn't help but to worry about my husband. I felt guilty  for not being there for him, and he felt guilty for making my daughter miss the  show that she has been anticipating for months. I could not force him to go, and  he decided that he would wait until this morning to see if it was any better and  perhaps he would go today.

So once again, I am  stuck in another dilemma. Will we see the Lion King musical today, or will we  spend our day visiting the emergency room worrying about what could be wrong  with my husband? The verdict is still out, but I can guarantee you that if my  daughter and I drive to Crouse HInds Theater today, it will be with a cautious  enjoyment.

Hakuna Mata? It's a great  philosophy, but sometimes there is a need to worry.
Picture
0 Comments

The Value of Life

9/15/2011

0 Comments

 
Many years ago, my daughter's doctor told me that she would have no quality of life and that I should consider my options.  Instead, I choose to consider a different doctor.  Today my daughter is a vibrant young lady, and while she faces many challenges, she does so with a smile in her face and love in her heart.

It is stories like this that inspire others to keep the faith when times look grim.  Do you have one to share?  Send them to me and they will be compiled together for a proposed anthology, similar to Chicken Soup for the Soul and A Cup of Comfort.  Click on the From Caring To Sharing tab above for more detail. Below is one story that I have written:


                             The Value of Life

      As I sat in the doctor’s office listening to him tell me that my baby
would have no quality of life and that I should consider an abortion, a million
things were running through my head.   Why me?  What did I do wrong?  Will my
life ever be the same?
But never once did it occur to me to follow through
on the well meaning advice of a doctor who didn’t have a clue.  I was going to
have this baby, and I would provide her with the best life possible.

      What that meant I wasn’t really sure of at the time.  Never having had
any contact with a person who had a disability, I was oblivious as to what to
expect or how to even go about getting the care my newborn would require.  So I
simply took it one day at a time, and I allowed her to be my guide.

      The day she entered into this world I looked down into the eyes of my
flawless looking daughter.  I vowed to her that I was
going to try my best, if she would only be patient with me.  And so we ventured
on a journey full of ups and downs.  For every step back we took, my daughter 
found a way to make my heart grow just a little bit larger.  Her loving
disposition and innocent looking face made every trip to the doctors worthwhile.
  She was the sweetest little girl I had ever put my eyes on, but at the age of 5

we still had no concrete name for what we were dealing with. No label, no
statistics, no research that would tell us what to expect for in the future. A
little bit of this and a touch of that never meshed together for a real
diagnosis. So I have decided to call this no name anomaly `Innocent Syndrome`.
For that’s what it truly reflects- a child who was innocent in every aspect of
her life. 
     It was hard as a mother to watch your child struggle so much in life. 
When she entered Kindergarten she will still not talking, and seemed  to only
gravitate towards adults, without even giving her peers a second thought.
Worried about her becoming the scapegoat for cruel childhood teasing, I tried to
overcompensate by making sure she had the finest of clothing and the latest
trends in order to appear as typical as possible.  I didn’t want her viewed as
`different.`  But Elizabeth didn’t care.  She was happy in her own little world.
  Stacking books and sorting cards out seemed like much more fun to her than
going to somebody’s house to play with dolls.  But still I worried.

      As her body grew rapidly, her brain seemed to develop at a much slower
rate.  By the time she reached her teenage years she looked no different than
her classmates on the outside, yet inside there was still this innocent little
girl peeking through.  The countless hours she spent with her books and cards
were much more intense for her, and while now very verbal, she still only wanted
to `chit chat` with the grown ups.  Would I ever be able to get to fit in?

      But as I sat back and observed, she was fitting in… in her own way.  She
had made herself friends within the community without my even realizing it. 
Everywhere we went, Elizabeth would find an adult that she would deem her buddy
and spend countless hours filling them in on her life.  And they would listen. 
Over and over they joked with her over who was sillier, smiled in surprise as
she once again announced how old she was, and graciously accepted hugs whenever
they were offered. The waitresses, cashiers, and receptionists were all her
posse, and she loved it.  She had found her own way to find a place in this
world and it didn’t involve fancy clothes or expensive gadgets.  The only thing
she ever wanted was acceptance, and she found it by being herself.

      My daughter may not have straight A’s, friends over on the weekends, or
even a name for this thing that has changed our lives forever.  But what she
does possess is something greater.  With a carefree attitude an unconditional
love for everything and everyone, she has the quality of life that few others
have. I often think back to that doctor and wonder why he felt that her life was
of no value, when all along she held the key to happiness within her heart.

      And so the girl that I thought I would have to teach everything to has
taught me the one lesson in life that I will treasure forever.  Being yourself
is the best thing of all.

~Amy Quonce
Picture
0 Comments

Where were you? A 9/11 tribute

9/10/2011

1 Comment

 
Ten years ago, life as we knew it was dramatically altered with the blink of an eye.  Our country was invaded by terroist that imployed a plan for mass killing.  Sadly, they accomplished just that. 2,966 lives were lost, and those who survived did so with a somber existence. 

As Alan Jackson sings in his beautiful tribute, where were you when the world stopped turning?  This is something that will be embedded into people's minds forever.  They remember exactly where they were when the first plane hit the tower, and the terror that they were feeling as they watched the second and third planes hit their destinations never fully faded from their memory.

I was in a classroom teaching preschool at the time of the attacks.  I remember frantic parents coming in and picking up their children, and I admit that I was anxious until I could go myself and pick my daughter up from her school.  The rest of the day we spent sitting out in the yard, staying close to one another.  It was a beautiful warm September day, yet the stillness in the air was startling.  What was to become of our nation?

As red, white, and blue decorations sprung up on almost every house, lawn, and business across the USA,  slowly we stood tall in true United States of America fashion and sent this message to other countries: "We will not be knocked down!"  Our nation bonded together under this tragedy and united we triumphed over the hurdles to rebuild our lives.  The unity we presented showed our strength, and put a tiny band aid on the hearts of so many families that were personally affected by this tragedy.

For all of  lives lost, all of the survivors and heros of 9/11/01....We will never forget.
1 Comment
<<Previous

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010

    Categories

    All
    22q11
    911153da651f4
    Adhd
    Aimee Lee
    A.L. Daniels
    Alyshia Hull
    Amazon
    Amy Julie Becker
    Amy Quonce
    Amy Quoncem
    Arise
    A Special Time For Special People
    Autism
    Barbara J Hansen1db767aff4
    Barnes And Noble
    Barnes & Noble
    Battle Of The Books
    Because Of Winn Dixie
    Bishop Ncommons
    Bob Comenole
    Book
    Book Proposal
    Brain Tumors
    Breaking The Silence
    Breaking The Silence On Abuse
    Brianna Cahill
    Caregivers
    Cat In The Hat
    Cbd
    Cherish This Christmas
    Cheryl Potts
    Chicken Soup For The Soul
    Chick-fil-A
    Child Abuse
    Child Sexual Abuse Video
    Comedy Central Night Of Too Many Stars
    Connie Scruton
    Creekside Counseling Oswego
    Cystic Fibrosis
    Dave Fessenden
    David's Refuge
    Deaf
    Dee Marie
    Delta Lake Christians Writer's Gathering
    Delta Lake Christians Writer's Gathering
    Developmental Delays
    Developmental Disability Awareness
    Devlopmental Disabilities
    Diana Flegal
    Diane Estrella
    Disabilities
    Disability Awarness Month
    Disneys The Lion Kinga8df5c20e5
    Downs Syndrome
    Down Syndrome
    Dream Night At The Zoo
    Dr. Seuss
    Elaine W. Miller
    Elaine W. Miller
    Ellen Yeomans
    Erin Merryn
    Ethan Mills
    Even More Parts
    Faith
    Floating Body Parts
    Flowers For Algernon
    Free Kindle
    From Caring To Sharing
    Heidi Allen
    Hobby Lobby
    Hope Martson
    Hope Network
    Hop On Pop
    Iep
    Inc
    Inc.
    Incest
    Ipad
    Jack Canfield
    Jeanette Levellie
    Joanne Ciezesk
    Jodi Dipiazza
    Katy Perry
    Keala Richardson
    Kidnapping
    Kindle
    Lisa Buske
    Lisa M. Buske
    Lisa M. Buske
    Listen To The Cry Of The Child
    Look Again By Lisa Scottoline
    Look Again Lisa Scottoline
    Lorax
    Love Is A Verb Devotional
    Maria Lin
    Marriage
    Microfiction Muse
    Minglings
    More Parts
    Mulberry Street
    Newton Connecticut
    North Side Baptist Church
    Northside Baptist Church
    Ny
    Olive Garden
    On Wings Of Mirth And Worth
    Oprah
    Osama Bin Laden
    Oswego Bookmobile
    Oswego County Autism Task Force
    Oswego County Autism Walk
    Oswego County Fair
    Oswego Literacy Coalitation
    Oswego Literacy Coalition
    Oswego Reading Council Annual Writing Contest
    Oswego Reading Council Writing Contest
    Oswego Shopper
    Oswego Ymca
    Our Lives With A Special Needs Child
    Parents
    Parents Of Special Children
    Paris Beacon News
    Parts
    Physical Disabilities
    Physical Impariments
    Port City Asembly Of God
    Powder Monkey The War Of 1812
    Red Lobster
    River's End Bookstore
    Rivers End Bookstore
    Riversend Bookstore
    Ruby Tuesday
    Sandy Hook Elementary School
    School Shooting
    Self Publishing
    Senator Patty Ritchie
    Sexual Abuse
    Sexual Abuse Survivor
    Sharon Kane
    Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways
    Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives With A Special Need Child
    Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways:Our Lives With A Special Need Child
    Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives With A Special Needs Child
    Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives With A Special Needs Child
    Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives With A Special Needs Child
    Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways:our Lives With A Special Needs Child
    Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways:our Lives With A Special Needs Child
    Sometime The Wind Blows Sideways Our Lives With A Special Needs Child
    Special Education
    Special Needs
    Special Needs Children
    Splashes Of Serenity
    Stolen Innocence Triumping A Childhhod Broken By Abuse159c832ff4
    Suny Oswego
    Team Ethan
    Ted Arnold
    The Hunger Games
    The Price Of A Mother
    The Price Of A Mothers Love04de7a0ba5
    Two Scoops Of Grace With Chuckles On Top
    Two Scoops Of Grace With Chuckles On Top By Jeanette Levellie
    Ultimate Sacrifices
    Ultimate Sacrifices The Price Of A Motherada3b599ee
    Ultimate Sacrifices; The Price Of A Mother's Love
    Ultimate Sacrifices: The Price Of A Mother's Love
    Ultimiate Sacrifices
    Ultimitate Sacrifices
    Ultitmate Sacrifices: The Price Of A Mother's Love
    Upstate New York Christian Writers Third Annual CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ GATHERING
    Valentines Day
    Wal-Mart
    We All Married Idiots
    Where's Heidi?
    Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey
    Wit And Wisdom From The Parents Of Special Needs Kids
    World Book Night
    World Book Night Usa 2013
    Writing
    Www.jeanettelevellie.com.

    RSS Feed

    Author

    I have the privilege of being able to shape the minds and lives of children who are battling disabilities.  It can be very trying at times, but more often than not it is very rewarding.  As a mother of a child with a disability, I know the struggles that they go through on a daily basis.  This allows me to have a little more compassion for the people that I work with.


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • A Family No More
  • Praise for A Family No More
  • The first 30 Days in Heaven
  • Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways
  • About The Author
  • Media/Speaking
  • Home
  • Guest book