Cartoon: A Snowballing Winter, In The Eyes Of A Medically Fragile Child

Boston Medical Center pediatrician Dr. Jack Maypole directs a program for parents of children who are "medically fragile." Their conditions include prematurity, autism, seizure disorders and cerebral palsy. Many use wheelchairs.

This winter's wild weather has proven a tiresome inconvenience for many of us, but for the population Dr. Maypole serves, it threatens far worse. He writes:

"In this cartoon diary, I attempt to capture whatever I can of the additional challenges and stressors experienced by parents (often single mothers) caring for a family member with complex illness or special needs. I submit this to you with hopes it will shed a little light — and perspective — on the daily struggles of these often heroic parents doing more with less than many of us."

(Click here and zoom in to see the cartoon larger.)