Tag Archives: bookshelves

Oli’s Genetic Library

12 Mar

In the summer of 2009 I got another phone call that I won’t forget. I remember exactly where I was sitting, what I was thinking and what I did after I hung up the phone. It’s just like when people remember where they were when a certain big event happened. JFK’s death…I’m not that old. How about…Kurt Cobain’s death and when I heard that they declared OJ Simpson innocent of murder. I remember exactly where I was when I got the call telling me of Oli’s genetic diagnosis.


These tests can be extremely expensive and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you end up wasting thousands and thousands of dollars testing a multitude of different genes. You can’t just go into a lab and say “My baby was born without eyes, draw her blood and figure out the problem.” Number one, they will look at you like you have lost your mind. Number two, regular labs don’t run these kinds of tests. It has to be a specific lab and usually they are doing these tests to further their research.


(Kekoa is watching me type this and wants me to add “Oli is wonderful”. OLI IS WONDERFUL!! Kekoa you are just too sweet.)


Actually…that’s not how it happened. Those genes were already missing off of the ONE egg or that ONE sperm when she was conceived. What are the odds? About 5% according to her geneticist. We don’t know who it came from. The sperm or the egg? I’ll blame the sperm. The female egg is the epitome of perfection. Those sperm have been the cause of a whole host of problems throughout the history of evolution. War, famine, and STD’s. How about the invention of golf, ESPN or the Harlem Shake. Can I blame those on the male species?

Most of these books that she is missing have unknown functions. Like book number 63 might be responsible for something, but we just don’t know what? Maybe it did something thousands of years ago during the evolution of humans and we just don’t need it anymore. But… there is sits on the shelf, acquiring dust with a random title like “Fins” or “Hairy backs”. (Some people are still reading this particular book.) Or maybe book number 13 does something like provide the normal pace for hair growth. Which would explain Oli’s VERY slow growing hair. I have only barely trimmed it. Once. 4 months ago. I’m not sure if this is why her hair grows slowly, but I’m guessing it has something to do with it.

Sooooooo…that’s the deal with Oli’s library. Pretty interesting, huh?

Next I’ll tell you the story about the phone call.



Mommy Got Her Groove Back


Lessons from my daughter


I'm fine, but my Mommy has issues!

Raising a daughter with special needs.

Living on the Spectrum: The Connor Chronicles

Our family's adventures in the world of ADHD and Autism.

Parenting And Stuff

Not a "how to be a great parent" blog

The Third Glance

A peek into my (Autistic) mind

One Stitch At A Time

Making my way back in time.

Disability Watchdog

Exposing Injustices for Vulnerable People

My thoughts on a page.

Living, Laughing, Loving, Loathing.

It is Well...with my Soul

Sure, my hands are full. So is my HEART!

Chopping Potatoes

And other metaphors for motherhood

This is the Corner We Pee In

Bulletins from the Parenting Trenches...


The wacky stories of a crazy lady.

This is the place


My Dance in the Rain


Prego and the Loon

Pregnant and Dealing With Domestic Violence

%d bloggers like this: