As someone who has always tried to make herself small – blend into the wall – I still find it uncomfortable to take up space. I find myself apologizing for Kiran taking up space.

He takes up more, now, with his wheelchair mount that holds his communication device. I was just envisioning what it would be like to take him to the grocery store, just he and I – how long a train we would now make, with the communication device out in front, me pushing his chair, pulling a grocery cart behind me.

Why not just leave his communication device at home? It’s so much to cart from place to place.

I know.

But I wouldn’t want someone to take my voice away simply because they find it inconvenient. And now, Kiran finally has his voice, and I am going to do my best to be sure he has it in every situation, to whatever extent possible.

I have so many thoughts and feelings swirling around today, Kiran’s first day of second grade. There has been so much change this summer, and it’s a lot to get used to. His new wheelchair and now mounted communication device make him suddenly unable to be inconspicuous – not that he ever really was before. He stands out, he is noticeably different from his peers, and he takes up space in this world.

And it is so much easier for me to fight for his right to take up space than for my own. I’m working on that. But I know for damn sure, this world needs to make space for my boy. I’ll be clearing the path.