Author: Hap
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Placements, Sneakers, and Why Fit Matters
IEP placement can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. This post breaks down the continuum of placements, explains how decisions are made, and uses a simple analogy to show why the right fit matters more than staying the same.
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Words to Live By: Don’t Yell at the Person with the Needle
A routine lab visit turns into a funny—and unexpectedly thoughtful—reminder that kindness costs nothing, especially when the person holding the needle is still learning.
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More Than I Expected
It’s kind of wild to think I started this blog almost 8 months ago… and this is my 60th post. Congratulations to me, right? Thank you, thank you. (Imagine applause. Maybe even a standing ovation… definitely a standing O. Feel free to throw in a few curtain calls—I’ll wait.) I honestly had no idea what…
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Why I Became an SESP—and Why I Still Do It
A personal look at becoming a Special Education Surrogate Parent (SESP), what the role actually involves, and why it matters for students who don’t have anyone to advocate for them. A mix of real experience, clear explanation, and hope for what comes next.
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Brain in a Jar. On a Barnes & Noble Shelf.
A playful letter to my 100-year-old self imagining what life might look like in 2075—from telepathy and self-driving cars to drone doctors and brains in mason jars.
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How to Read an IEP Without Becoming Overwhelmed
The IEP can feel like legal mumbo-jumbo and emotional overload all at once. Here are a few tips on how to read it slowly, thoughtfully, and without panic.
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Ode To A Massachusetts Blizzard Ritual
A humorous look at the unspoken rituals of a Massachusetts snowstorm—from denial and bread-and-milk panic to Blizzard of ’78 nostalgia and the sacred Dunkin’ run. A blizzard, Massachusetts style.
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Confidently Ridiculous: This One’s a Handful
I say ridiculous things. Not accidentally—confidently. From guard dogs on duty to dramatic birth legends and fireworks launched by strong men on the Charles, apparently, I’ve been a handful since day one.
Brain Fog & Brilliance 