Back in the Saddle

I am going to do my best to get back into the swing of blogging. Other on line activities have taken me away from my first love and I long to type more than one sentence at a time!

Recently, we had the yearly IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting at Isabella's school. It took a while for my daughter and me to understand that the system is taking away services while telling us how well Bells is doing. "Your child is doing well so we are going to reduce her time in school and take away her summer program." Huh? If it is working why change it? Bottom line, let's save money.

Budget cutting measures are made by people who aren't in the trenches. If they met these wonderful children would they be as quick to pull the rug out from under them? If they were to look into the eyes of the parents who are exhausted from the daily care of special needs children and from working full-time to put food on their tables could they justify the measures they are taking?

More and more I see the need for groups like Autism Speaks and P.O.A.C. which are on the front lines of defending the rights children on the autism spectrum. When I reached out, I was given information to help my daughter fight this I.E.P. and insist on getting Bells the services that are helping her to flourish.

On May 23rd, team Isabella will be walking for Autism Speaks. We hope to raise $1000 to help raise awareness of autism, education and research for a cure. If you wish to join us let me know! If you want to donate, great. What I ask for most is your support and encouragement for myself and any other families with members on the spectrum. Learn about autism. Reach out; give them a break if you are so inclined.

Awareness and education; our greatest weapons and our greatest defenses.

blessings from the trenches, gail

Ugh

I had just about completed typing out an entry I had been working on in my head when it disappeared. I had even saved it to draft halfway through but it is gone!

When I get up the strength to rewrite it (my fibromyalgia has me sleeping a lot), I will share with you what is on my mind. In the meantime, thanks to The Simple Woman's Day Book for the following questions:


FOR TODAY

Outside my window...rain to bring out the crocuses, daffodils and tulips just waiting to erupt into spring song

I am thinking...that I hope I get a restful night's sleep so I can be a good overnight guest to our friends

I am thankful for...people from the autism family who reached out to me today when I expressed a problem with the school system Isabella is in.

From the kitchen...dishes washed, dishwasher emptied, floor needing washing

I am wearing...pajamas and fuzzy purple slipper socks

I am creating...a ruckus for the school system if they continue to try to take away services from my precious girl

I am going...to stay with friends at the shore just to get some couple time together

I am reading...my Bible - been too tired to start a new book

I am hoping...to get throught this bought of fms so I can get to work

I am hearing...a rumbling in this country that is going to destroy it and/or bring revival

Around the house...so much to do

One of my favorite things...a nice cup of decaf coffee when the mood strikesA few plans for the rest of the week: get moving!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Isn't this pretty?!
Have a wonderful weekend, all. You bless me. g

Different, Not Less

As a rule, I don't cry. Well, maybe at the end of It's a Wonderful Life at the line, "To my big brother George; the richest man in town!"

However, tonight I cried like a baby. Himself and I watched the movie Temple Grandin on HBO. Claire Danes performance as the title character was brilliant.

Temple Grandin is a woman with autism. She didn't talk until she was four years old. Now in her early sixties, she graduated college, earned a Master's degree and has a PhD. She is a highly respected scientist and advocate for autism.

Why was I crying? Because the sky's the limit for my Isabella! She may never be a scientist or have a PhD but, although I have always had hope for her, this movie gave me even more. We don't know what is going on in Bells' mind; how she processes information. Hopefully, like Dr. Grandin, she will be able to tell us one day.

Don't give up! As Dr. Grandin said, people with autism are different, not less.

Thank you, HBO.

With faith and hope, g

A Dizzy Day Entry

Have a bit of vertigo so...

Thank you, Peggy.



FOR TODAY... from gail's Daybook






Outside my window...a chilly February day


I am thinking...I'm so glad I don't have nausea with this bout of vertigo I am experiencing!


I am thankful for...the little girl who is sitting beside me keeping me company


I am wearing...jeans, orange top

I am remembering...my room mate from one summer of college


I am going...to pick up something from a freecycler for my niece tomorrow if I can drive


I am currently reading...The Apostle by Brad Thor


I am hoping...to get a lot of sponsors for our Autism Speaks walk in May


On my mind...using the Lent timeline to do something about weight loss


Noticing that...I don't recognize myself in the mirror any more


Pondering these words..."I haven't a clue how my story will end, but that's alright. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that's when you discover the stars. Quote by Nancy Willard..(thank you, Lisa)


From the kitchen...a defrosted chicken and vegetables waiting to be made into soup which will have to wait until tomorrow


Around the house...clean laundry eveywhere needing to be put away



One of my favorite things~a little girl's warmth as she leans on me




I really want to keep up with my blog so, if it takes using something like the daybook, so be it.

Be well, g

Simple Woman's Day Journal

January 25
Simple Woman's Day Book
From blogspot.com


The Simple Woman's Daybook~January 25th Edition


Outside my window...a very wet day

I am thinking...the lie down I just had is doing me a lot of good

I am thankful for... my comforts

I am wearing... a brown 3/4 length sleeve top and blue denim jeans

I am remembering...my grade school years

I am going... to have my hair done tomorrow and play with my great niece and nephew

I am currently reading... back issues of my one magazine subscription

I am hoping... to see resolution to Isabella's school situation

On my mind... how to get some things off my mind

Noticing that...Bells answered my question about what she did in school today

Pondering these words..."whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."

From the kitchen... a cold stove that needs my imagination and heating up

Around the house... attention is needed

One of my favorite things~ seeing progress in Isabella


Hoping you all have a wonderful week, g

One Big Family

Isabella didn't want to go to school this morning. This is not a common occurrence so I played it down by not mentioning it for a while.

When it was time to get dressed, she fought me a bit as she loves her bathrobe and doesn't want to take it off. Slippers are big in her world, too. Once it was time to go, all was well with the world...

...until it was time to go into the classroom. Blessedly, the pre-school autism class has its own outside entrance. Bells stood there not going to go win. Her teacher said, "Don't you want to see your friend, L?" In she went!

Next, M didn't want to go in. "Don't you want to play with the train, M?" asked one of the wonderful aides. "Train!" he repeated as he ran into the classroom with a big smile on his face.

M's dad and I smiled broadly at how his son and my granddaughter responded so well. His son had barely any speech before he started school and Isabella had little discernible speech. We rejoice together in the progress of our beloved "special" ones.

The more I read the comments of parents and loved ones of people with autism the greater a bond I feel with them. No one else understands our hopes and fears; our heartbreak and joys; our feelings of failure and of triumph. It is a kinship.

I do believe that very few of us would refuse a cure for autism. Some might but I know I would jump at it if it wasn't dangerous to my Isabella. Would I love her more? How could I. Would I love her less? I don't believe that could ever happen.

I still laugh nearly every day I am with Bells. We are blessed that she is not inside of herself all of the time but able to take part in every day tasks such as "helping" me in the kitchen and picking up after herself.

What would my life be like without her? I don't ever want to find out. Thank you God for my little Boo.

Thankful Thursday

January 07
Thankful Thursday

In following dear Meg's example, here are things I am thankful for:

a roof over my head

clothing on my back

food in my belly

health in my family

progress in Isabella's cognition

cars running well

chocolate being healthy

parents being alive and well

God in me

Can you add to this?