Tuesday, April 14, 2015
20-some years ago, my cousin was diagnosed with Autism. I remember when
I first heard. I asked my mom, what's that? She said she didn't know.
I don't think any of us really did. It wasn't like now where you can
just Google anything. There was no research available for us to do on
our own. His mom and I are the same age and at the time she was living
so far away from our very large family. I can't even image what it was
like going through it all that far away from home. And
now here we are, 20-some years later and still no concrete known cause
or cure. And it continues to grow with more and more diagnosed every
year. And those of us that are caregivers continue to press through,
aimlessly as it feels at times. Even with all the progress in
treatments, it seems like we're still so far from seeing the end of
Autism as we know it. So we keep doing what we're doing to make living
with Autism "livable". #AutismAwareness #ThisIsOurNormal
Monday, April 13, 2015
My work-free, autism-free, kid-free, Lisa only day
A couple of weeks ago I hit a rough patch. Between preparing for middle school, upcoming IEP, bad ABA session, I was feeling pretty worn out. But as usual, I go to work, press on and move though life. But on this particular day, my manager got me in a bad moment. We were just having conversation when I broke down in tears at work. I hate that. But she didn't judge. She's knows what I'm dealing with and she's amazingly understanding. She said, "You need a day off. Every time you take a day off it's for your kids, your mom or school; you need a Lisa day! Take a mental health day and go get a massage. Don't tell anyone, just leave in the morning like you're coming to work and take the whole day off for yourself" Can you imagine that!? It was so refreshing to just be vulnerable and allow someone to help me thru a rough moment.... I don't like asking for help. But you know what, everyone deserve a little help in their life once in a while. She said, "by tomorrow, I want you to come up with a day that you will take off, and it has to be soon... not 3 weeks from now, not a month from now, but like in the next week or two." Then next day I came in and found a note from my manager with a purchased massage that said "for your Lisa day, from your friend, not your manager". WOW. Such a wonderful gesture and I'm so thankful to be blessed with wonderful friends.
So today, I had my Lisa day. And it was wonderful. After I dropped off the kids at school I went to Starbucks in the morning, got myself some coffee and a croissant and sat and enjoyed it. Not feeling rushed, not thinking about anything work or home related. Just sitting there enjoying the time. From there I drove out to Valencia and did some window shopping, taking my time till my massage appointment. I hadn't had a massage in years and it was such a treat. It was ridiculously relaxing. It really got rid of the stress I had in my shoulders for the past few weeks. After that I had some lunch and drove back to the valley. Went to the mall and did some more window shopping. Stopped by a new store and just went in to look around, but ended up buying a dress for a wedding I'm going to. Went and got a Jamba Juice and sat outside enjoying the nice weather till it was time to go home.
It's always hard for me to make time for myself. Even when the kids are gone for a weekend I always end up doing loads of laundry, researching stuff, running errands and never really do anything "me" related. But it's like they say, you can't take care of other people if you don't take care of you first.
So today, I had my Lisa day. And it was wonderful. After I dropped off the kids at school I went to Starbucks in the morning, got myself some coffee and a croissant and sat and enjoyed it. Not feeling rushed, not thinking about anything work or home related. Just sitting there enjoying the time. From there I drove out to Valencia and did some window shopping, taking my time till my massage appointment. I hadn't had a massage in years and it was such a treat. It was ridiculously relaxing. It really got rid of the stress I had in my shoulders for the past few weeks. After that I had some lunch and drove back to the valley. Went to the mall and did some more window shopping. Stopped by a new store and just went in to look around, but ended up buying a dress for a wedding I'm going to. Went and got a Jamba Juice and sat outside enjoying the nice weather till it was time to go home.
It's always hard for me to make time for myself. Even when the kids are gone for a weekend I always end up doing loads of laundry, researching stuff, running errands and never really do anything "me" related. But it's like they say, you can't take care of other people if you don't take care of you first.
Middle school... bleh
A few weeks ago we had parent/teacher conference for 'Milo. Overall, the teacher
had a pretty good report for him. He said he is doing well in Math and
has made real improvement in his spelling words (heck yeah, we worked
HARD on that one!). He did say he needs to improve his reading. He
does read everyday, so we just need to get his reading speed up. He
also said although 'Milo qualifies for Summer School, he didn't feel
that he was in any real need for it. I'll have to admit, I agree
with this one. Last year, the Summer School teach he had never sent
home any homework. And the work I did see, was review of past grades
and not much of his current grade. The teacher said he didn't have any
concerns for 'Milo regressing over the summer. So this will be his
first summer off... aside from the work sheets I'll leave for him to do
during the day.
Then the dreaded topic came up: Middle School. I can't believe it's that time.
The teacher had the school 'Milo has been assigned to. The school has an all-Aut program; some school Special Ed programs consists of ALL disabilities. He explained that he would be assigned 4 classes; Math, Social Studies, History, Language Arts. Then he will have a home room, an elective and PE. That's when my stomach dropped. PE. I hadn't even thought about that. Changing in a gym locker room with other boys. Will he remember to put away his clothes/glasses/shoes in his locker? Will he remember his locker combination? Will he be picked on by other kids if he can't get the instructions down during PE? So many things go through my head that make me want to quit my job and go to the school everyday to keep him safe and protected. Obviously that is not an option. But I've had this sick pain from worry in my stomach since then. #AutismMom #ThingsThatKeepMeUpAtNight
Then the dreaded topic came up: Middle School. I can't believe it's that time.
The teacher had the school 'Milo has been assigned to. The school has an all-Aut program; some school Special Ed programs consists of ALL disabilities. He explained that he would be assigned 4 classes; Math, Social Studies, History, Language Arts. Then he will have a home room, an elective and PE. That's when my stomach dropped. PE. I hadn't even thought about that. Changing in a gym locker room with other boys. Will he remember to put away his clothes/glasses/shoes in his locker? Will he remember his locker combination? Will he be picked on by other kids if he can't get the instructions down during PE? So many things go through my head that make me want to quit my job and go to the school everyday to keep him safe and protected. Obviously that is not an option. But I've had this sick pain from worry in my stomach since then. #AutismMom #ThingsThatKeepMeUpAtNight
The story behind World Autism Awareness Day
I
was listening to Autism Live a couple of weeks ago and Shannon explained how World
Autism Awareness Day came to be. I found it really interesting that is
was implemented by the United Nations who UNANIMOUSLY declared April 2
as the day. Here is the decoration from the United Nations web site:
"The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of children and adults, who are affected by autism, so they can lead full and meaningful lives."
"World Autism Awareness Day
The General Assembly Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome
and the United Nations Millennium Declaration, as well as the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields, Recalling also the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, according to which children with disabilities should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community, as well as the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children, Affirming that ensuring and promoting the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities is critical to achieving internationally agreed development goals, Aware that autism is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself during the first three years of life and results from a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, mostly affecting children in many countries irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status, and characterized by impairments in social interaction, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and restricted, repetitive behaviour, interests and activities, Deeply concerned by the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent development challenges to long-term health care, education, training and intervention programmes undertaken by Governments,
non-governmental organizations and the private sector, as well as its tremendous impact on children, their families, communities and societies,
Recalling that early diagnosis and appropriate research and interventions are vital to the growth and development of the individual,
1. Decides to designate 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day, to be observed every year beginning in 2008;
2. Invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Autism Awareness Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of autism;
3. Encourages Member States to take measures to raise awareness throughout society, including at the family level, regarding children with autism;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member States and United Nations organizations."
"The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of children and adults, who are affected by autism, so they can lead full and meaningful lives."
"World Autism Awareness Day
The General Assembly Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome
and the United Nations Millennium Declaration, as well as the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields, Recalling also the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, according to which children with disabilities should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community, as well as the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children, Affirming that ensuring and promoting the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities is critical to achieving internationally agreed development goals, Aware that autism is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself during the first three years of life and results from a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, mostly affecting children in many countries irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status, and characterized by impairments in social interaction, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and restricted, repetitive behaviour, interests and activities, Deeply concerned by the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent development challenges to long-term health care, education, training and intervention programmes undertaken by Governments,
non-governmental organizations and the private sector, as well as its tremendous impact on children, their families, communities and societies,
Recalling that early diagnosis and appropriate research and interventions are vital to the growth and development of the individual,
1. Decides to designate 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day, to be observed every year beginning in 2008;
2. Invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Autism Awareness Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of autism;
3. Encourages Member States to take measures to raise awareness throughout society, including at the family level, regarding children with autism;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member States and United Nations organizations."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)