About
Michaela Searfoorce (top left, white sweater) is a former musician turned never-stay-at-home mother. She is currently raising 6 exceptional children, ages 13, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 9 months. With so many kids, including one with significant special needs, Michaela has had ample opportunity to explore all the Big Apple has to offer for a wide range of ages and abilities. Her work has been featured in Special Parent and Big Apple magazines as well as on childmind.org, mommypoppins.com and nymetroparents.com. In her gobs of spare time she also organizes meetings geared toward the special needs community, runs a summer social skills group and speaks at various local organizations and schools. Michaela and her husband recently moved from the UWS of Manhattan to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to accommodate their ever-growing family. She can be reached at msearfoorce@gmail.com.
James (front right of center) is an amazing 13 year old boy who attends a 12:1 7th grade class in the NYC public school system. His main diagnosis is a rare chromosome defect (4,8) which has resulted in numerous medical issues, global developmental and physical delays, and labels such as PDD-NOS, Sensory Integration Dysfunction and ADD. Despite multiple surgeries since birth and new challenges every year, James is generally a very happy, affectionate child and brings a smile to the faces of nearly everyone he meets.
The Foorce 
hello this be adam himself, the 9 month. 11 now.
I LOVE the picture!! James is getting SO big. I showed the boys his picture and they were just like, “Wow!” 🙂 And your other two…just cute as can be!
I want to share our specialneedslifeline.org for all who are touched by a disability.
There’s really a pressing need for the special needs community to just communicate, to connect to help one another, and to generate positive change. Reaching tens of thousands each month has really brought me great satisfaction…
Our mission is “to help people who are touched by a disability connect with each other.” As a New York State not-for-profit, we are committed to promote the development of programs for the special needs community.
Michaela,
I read your last post about being an extreme parent. I understand how things may be challenging for even the most patient and loving parent; which you certainly are!
I was watching something on TV about food dyes and the effcts on certain children. Have you heard of this?
Love,
mel
No, though I’ve heard about special diets and tried a few when James was younger. Was it certain colors?
Yes, red and yellow…don’t remember the color numbers though, but they showed a bag of nacho
chips, so whatever red that is.
The website I was telling you about is called: especialmatch.com.
And the guy who runsit is Michael Radicone.
Also I want to send you a copy of the letter that went out from the City Wide Council on Special Education to the Regents about changes the Regents are proposing – some of which are not wonderful.
Yay! I just wanted to stop by and give you a virtual pat on the back. Good job getting the blog going (I think that is the hardest part). I’m excited for you!