Sally is portrayed in an article under the heading "The Road Less Traveled"
http://projectchoices.org/resources/newsletters.aspx
A Family’s Perspective
Sally began her inclusion experience by attending Developmental Kindergarten in the morning, coming home by bus to eat lunch and then getting on a bus and going to her “home school” for the afternoon kindergarten class. She was age 5, turning 6 that September. She spoke no words. She made very little eye contact and was very content to stay in her own little world.
Our want for an “all-day” home school experience for Sally was met with some resistance. However, we continued to push and explained that if it didn’t work we would simply stop. It was the best decision we’ve made for Sally. Since we began, she has flourished. She has many friends and in third grade was actually voted Vice-President of the class.
Fast forward now to 5th grade: she has participated in every school project. She is now a Patrol after school and has been using a laptop computer furnished by the district. She speaks well enough to communicate her needs, though we are still pursuing speech mastery. Sally can carry on a conversation, she jokes and looks people in the eye. She absolutely loves school. Every year brings more growth. We know we still have a long way to go; Sally is probably 3-4 years behind her peers in her curriculum, but we still rejoice at all the progress she has made.
We are positive that her success is ALL about relationships and the teachers, aides, therapists who have come into her life. EVERYONE who has touched our lives has made a difference and we are very grateful for it. There have been stumbles along the way, but I don’t know of a journey that doesn’t have some of those. Overall, we have received many more positive results than negative.
By Kelly Davidek, Sally’s mom
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Easter With US
We had Easter here this year due to the timing of seeing the Follies. It was really nice. The kids got up a 4 A.M.!!!!! BUT - after finding the eggs and seeing the goodies that were left they hunkered down on the couch and fell asleep watching cartoons.
We had ham, potatoes, corn, rolls, dev. eggs and strawberries. It was a really easy going day. We played Jack's gross out card game and then we set up his gross out experiments. Aunt Jill gave him a "Gross Out" science experiments project/thing for Christmas and we made the gelatin, put it in the petri dish and then swabbed his underarms, toe jam and mouth and then rubbed it on the gelatin and now we're waiting to see what "grows". :-) Jack is in heaven. It's SUCH a boy thing to see what disgusting stuff could grow between your toes. :-)
We had ham, potatoes, corn, rolls, dev. eggs and strawberries. It was a really easy going day. We played Jack's gross out card game and then we set up his gross out experiments. Aunt Jill gave him a "Gross Out" science experiments project/thing for Christmas and we made the gelatin, put it in the petri dish and then swabbed his underarms, toe jam and mouth and then rubbed it on the gelatin and now we're waiting to see what "grows". :-) Jack is in heaven. It's SUCH a boy thing to see what disgusting stuff could grow between your toes. :-)
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Easter on the West Side
So we went to my brother's house for dinner last night. They have 3 kids - all who are grown and out of college. Jamie, the youngest, is student teaching right now and will graduate from UI in like 2 months. She was there and Jack had brought his report card to show off (mostly because he was SO surprised that he didn't have any B's = below district standards). On the comments of his report it said "tends to be a little chatty". I asked Jame if they teach that in Teacher Talk 101. Because the real world reads that as "this kid won't shut up". ;-)
She's going to make a good teacher - she's really excited and energized. Her "favorite" kid is someone who struggles SO hard, she says, but still has a great bubbly personality. It's cool how Jamie can see kids who don't "get it" so easy - when she was a kid who DID get it pretty easy. Good grades came easily for her than some and I think she's seeing it.
Dick and Laurena SWEAR they *miss* the bickering and the fighting (of which my kids gave out freely last night). I don't believe it. We had a really nice time. Even though my brother can't do chicken like my Dad (no one can) :-) It was pretty good. :-)
The FUNNIEST thing that happened was as all of us were sitting around the kitchen counter and the kids were playing Lego's in the living room, this HUGE black dog appeared at their back patio door. Then there appeared their neighbor. They opened the door and the dog went STORMING through the house - as if looking for something. When he came to the living room and saw the kids on the rug playing he "jumped" in surprise and barked. Come to find out - he was looking for Peyton. Peyton is my nephew's dog. I guess these two play together ALL the time - for hours! Peyton was just "visiting" last week because Peyton lives with Bob in Bloomington while Bob goes to school. (ISU) So when this dog encountered children on *their* play rug - he was just beside himself. It was SO funny! He was SERIOUSLY looking for Peyton and their neighbor had said that as they went for their walk - he had bounded out and come over - and he's so big she couldn't hold him. I can only imagine the fun those two must have.
Speaking of dogs. Mabel got to be outside while we were gone. She has to be on a chain but her chewed up cage is out on the deck and we put out some food and water and left her out (it was SO nice yesterday). She was HAPPY to see us return and she was TIRED - so some of that nice fresh air kind of tires her out *a little*.
Bill and I have been elected to be Little League coaches this year. He's head and I'm assistant. :-) We got our uniforms yesterday. We are the River Bandits. I've got a phone call in to Swisegood to tell him to make room on that "Winning est Coach in IL" trophy for my name! :-) We sat down and made out practice schedules and what we were doing at practices - and since we're concentrating much more on throwing and catching than on plays - we'll probably be in last place - BUT I DO think they will come out with GOOD habits and a lot of fun - and personally, I think that's what it's about.
Jack has shown he can get it over the plate pretty good. I'd really like for him to spend some time with my Dad and soak up some of his advice - but since Jack is Jack and life is crazy - that probably won't happen.
A big Happy Easter. Jack woke me at 3am to tell me what had been left in his basket and that the eggs were gone and hidden all around. We held him off till 4am when Sal got up and he told her all about it and so I got up and watched as they found all but 2 of the eggs and dove into their baskets. I kept thinking "there's NO way Dick and Laurena really MISS this!"
She's going to make a good teacher - she's really excited and energized. Her "favorite" kid is someone who struggles SO hard, she says, but still has a great bubbly personality. It's cool how Jamie can see kids who don't "get it" so easy - when she was a kid who DID get it pretty easy. Good grades came easily for her than some and I think she's seeing it.
Dick and Laurena SWEAR they *miss* the bickering and the fighting (of which my kids gave out freely last night). I don't believe it. We had a really nice time. Even though my brother can't do chicken like my Dad (no one can) :-) It was pretty good. :-)
The FUNNIEST thing that happened was as all of us were sitting around the kitchen counter and the kids were playing Lego's in the living room, this HUGE black dog appeared at their back patio door. Then there appeared their neighbor. They opened the door and the dog went STORMING through the house - as if looking for something. When he came to the living room and saw the kids on the rug playing he "jumped" in surprise and barked. Come to find out - he was looking for Peyton. Peyton is my nephew's dog. I guess these two play together ALL the time - for hours! Peyton was just "visiting" last week because Peyton lives with Bob in Bloomington while Bob goes to school. (ISU) So when this dog encountered children on *their* play rug - he was just beside himself. It was SO funny! He was SERIOUSLY looking for Peyton and their neighbor had said that as they went for their walk - he had bounded out and come over - and he's so big she couldn't hold him. I can only imagine the fun those two must have.
Speaking of dogs. Mabel got to be outside while we were gone. She has to be on a chain but her chewed up cage is out on the deck and we put out some food and water and left her out (it was SO nice yesterday). She was HAPPY to see us return and she was TIRED - so some of that nice fresh air kind of tires her out *a little*.
Bill and I have been elected to be Little League coaches this year. He's head and I'm assistant. :-) We got our uniforms yesterday. We are the River Bandits. I've got a phone call in to Swisegood to tell him to make room on that "Winning est Coach in IL" trophy for my name! :-) We sat down and made out practice schedules and what we were doing at practices - and since we're concentrating much more on throwing and catching than on plays - we'll probably be in last place - BUT I DO think they will come out with GOOD habits and a lot of fun - and personally, I think that's what it's about.
Jack has shown he can get it over the plate pretty good. I'd really like for him to spend some time with my Dad and soak up some of his advice - but since Jack is Jack and life is crazy - that probably won't happen.
A big Happy Easter. Jack woke me at 3am to tell me what had been left in his basket and that the eggs were gone and hidden all around. We held him off till 4am when Sal got up and he told her all about it and so I got up and watched as they found all but 2 of the eggs and dove into their baskets. I kept thinking "there's NO way Dick and Laurena really MISS this!"
Monday, March 29, 2010
Natalie Needs a Nightie
The Girls went on a road trip last weekend. Sally, Mabel and I all truckstered down to Aunt Jill's to watch her in the Windmill Follies production of Natalie Needs a Nightie. It was HYSTERICAL! My sister is amazing as an actress. It's so neat to see her up there - I don't see my sister - I see the character. She really does become the character and not just someone standing there delivering lines.
Sally enjoyed it too and was a little concerned when in the play they talk about the chamber maid, Rosebud (Aunt Jill), going to jail for stealing babies. After hearing *that* Sal sat up straighter and said "Aunt Jill can't go jail". I don't think anyone but our table heard it - but it was funny.
Aunt Jill left early - she had to get Uncle Mike from the Home and then go early to the play so Sal and I decided we'd go visit Grandpa. As we were getting ready to go Aunt Jill came tearing back through the lane - she had forgotten something. As she saw me putting Tiny (St Bernard) on the rope she said "you know, just leave him." (Tiny likes to go visiting. "Are you sure?" I questioned.
"Yeah, because Tiny won't go unless a cat goes and Mabel is keeping the cats away." (Mabel tends to howl at the cats - they ignore her and give her that *do you have a death wish* look) I had to laugh. That is by far the most common sense reason to why a dog won't go running off. Leave it to my sister.
And, when we returned home at around 10 pm - there they were - all 3 dogs and cats were out in the barn. I guess Mabel IS good for something.
I *got* to feed Uncle Mike at the play. :-) He can't hold a utensil anymore. He shakes SO bad that all the food falls off. One thing - he's pretty fast at eating. I could hardly spoon it in fast enough. It is like having a kid. He comes complete with his own clothing protector (bib) and water bottle and silverware. I'm not sure Aunt Jill had planned on having a child in her 50s. But he's still Uncle Mike and I still raz him just like I did when he could walk - and he dishes it out too. But it made me thankful for *my* little Special Needs one.
Granpa was glad to see Sally. She had brought her silver medal from basketball and I brought the book that Jack had written. We always try to bring presents. :-)
As usual we had dinner with Gpa and Gma on Sunday before we left (dinner=lunch in the "south") :-) Aunt Jill came along too - she had to do one more performance on Sunday for the Home residents. Dad gave her the business about when she was going to move to Hollywood. The local grocery store owner was in the play too - Keith Wilson. He's the son of a guy who went to school with my brother and OH my the stories that can be told about his silliness - anyway - their last name is Wilson so when my Dad goes up to the store he always yells "Hey Mr Wilson" at the meat counter (their office). He told Keith a joke that Keith used in his monologue before the play started. My Dad just beams when he tells jokes. :-)
The sad part of the journey was when Dad said he wasn't sure he was going to play golf this year. My Dad will be 82 this year and I realize things will be changing - but it's still sad. He said the biggest reason was because Squirty had died. Squirty was always at the golf course and would ALWAYS play - no matter what, and now with him not there Dad doesn't have someone to play with ALL the time. And "golf's no fun by yourself". Now mind you neither him or Squirt could hear worth a tinkers damn so it's not like they chatted up a storm as they played, but Dad just isn't sure he wants to play anymore.
Sally enjoyed it too and was a little concerned when in the play they talk about the chamber maid, Rosebud (Aunt Jill), going to jail for stealing babies. After hearing *that* Sal sat up straighter and said "Aunt Jill can't go jail". I don't think anyone but our table heard it - but it was funny.
Aunt Jill left early - she had to get Uncle Mike from the Home and then go early to the play so Sal and I decided we'd go visit Grandpa. As we were getting ready to go Aunt Jill came tearing back through the lane - she had forgotten something. As she saw me putting Tiny (St Bernard) on the rope she said "you know, just leave him." (Tiny likes to go visiting. "Are you sure?" I questioned.
"Yeah, because Tiny won't go unless a cat goes and Mabel is keeping the cats away." (Mabel tends to howl at the cats - they ignore her and give her that *do you have a death wish* look) I had to laugh. That is by far the most common sense reason to why a dog won't go running off. Leave it to my sister.
And, when we returned home at around 10 pm - there they were - all 3 dogs and cats were out in the barn. I guess Mabel IS good for something.
I *got* to feed Uncle Mike at the play. :-) He can't hold a utensil anymore. He shakes SO bad that all the food falls off. One thing - he's pretty fast at eating. I could hardly spoon it in fast enough. It is like having a kid. He comes complete with his own clothing protector (bib) and water bottle and silverware. I'm not sure Aunt Jill had planned on having a child in her 50s. But he's still Uncle Mike and I still raz him just like I did when he could walk - and he dishes it out too. But it made me thankful for *my* little Special Needs one.
Granpa was glad to see Sally. She had brought her silver medal from basketball and I brought the book that Jack had written. We always try to bring presents. :-)
As usual we had dinner with Gpa and Gma on Sunday before we left (dinner=lunch in the "south") :-) Aunt Jill came along too - she had to do one more performance on Sunday for the Home residents. Dad gave her the business about when she was going to move to Hollywood. The local grocery store owner was in the play too - Keith Wilson. He's the son of a guy who went to school with my brother and OH my the stories that can be told about his silliness - anyway - their last name is Wilson so when my Dad goes up to the store he always yells "Hey Mr Wilson" at the meat counter (their office). He told Keith a joke that Keith used in his monologue before the play started. My Dad just beams when he tells jokes. :-)
The sad part of the journey was when Dad said he wasn't sure he was going to play golf this year. My Dad will be 82 this year and I realize things will be changing - but it's still sad. He said the biggest reason was because Squirty had died. Squirty was always at the golf course and would ALWAYS play - no matter what, and now with him not there Dad doesn't have someone to play with ALL the time. And "golf's no fun by yourself". Now mind you neither him or Squirt could hear worth a tinkers damn so it's not like they chatted up a storm as they played, but Dad just isn't sure he wants to play anymore.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Stuffed Head
Jack has been to the Orthodontist recently and the Dr has literally rubbed his hands together in anticipation of the new Summer home, boat, and trip to Italy that Jack represents. :-) Seriously - the child has a TINY mouth. It's very hard to believe that something that's used THAT much and can be THAT loud is actually very small compared to the rest of us. He has TONS of teeth pushed up there in his skull that can't get out and we have to start with a spacer to make room for all of this.
As I was putting Jack to bed the other night he complained of a headache again. Jack has headaches pretty much since he started talking. Nothing severe - but I've never heard of children having *a* headache - let alone one every couple of days--- but that's Jack. And since Jack is knowing for his 'distortion' of the truth we don't pay it a big deal. BUT after seeing his x-rays I kind of wondered aloud to him that night that maybe his headaches have been because of all those teeth up there that are so crowded together.
'No, Mom." he said in that 'you're so stupid old woman' tone "It's because I have so many things stuffed up there."
"What?" I asked - thinking he may have shoved something up his nose or ears - this is Jack, after all.
"You know, like Math and Writing and Grammar and stuff" he said - totally serious. "that stuff is all crammed in there and it makes my head hurt sometimes."
I am SO amazed that I can hold my composure as much as I do with this child. He comes up with the most comical things. God love him. It's stuff like that - that saves his butt when I find my OLD books (as in NOT replaceable) all over my floor after he's been in there. Oh Jack Jack you are a treasure. :-)
As I was putting Jack to bed the other night he complained of a headache again. Jack has headaches pretty much since he started talking. Nothing severe - but I've never heard of children having *a* headache - let alone one every couple of days--- but that's Jack. And since Jack is knowing for his 'distortion' of the truth we don't pay it a big deal. BUT after seeing his x-rays I kind of wondered aloud to him that night that maybe his headaches have been because of all those teeth up there that are so crowded together.
'No, Mom." he said in that 'you're so stupid old woman' tone "It's because I have so many things stuffed up there."
"What?" I asked - thinking he may have shoved something up his nose or ears - this is Jack, after all.
"You know, like Math and Writing and Grammar and stuff" he said - totally serious. "that stuff is all crammed in there and it makes my head hurt sometimes."
I am SO amazed that I can hold my composure as much as I do with this child. He comes up with the most comical things. God love him. It's stuff like that - that saves his butt when I find my OLD books (as in NOT replaceable) all over my floor after he's been in there. Oh Jack Jack you are a treasure. :-)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
On the Run, Run, Run
So it's been crazy since we got back from Aunt Jill's. We had a GREAT time. Jack got to spend the night with my friend from H School's kids. Who would have ever thunk that when we were hanging out in HS. :-) Sally got to bum with her daddy and help set up and be in on all the behind the scenes.
Aunt Jill and I got there around 12 and walked around and saw ALL the stuff for raffle. If it wasn't there - you didn't need it - that's for sure. Seed for fields, gravel, fertilizer, tvs, spa packages, basketballs, you name it - and one that I thought was really cool: A baseball signed by Swisegood - the winning est baseball coach in IL. :-)
So after we got all settled in - Jill went to get Mike. Melissa and I sat at the table and tried to hold spaces. When Jill came back (she had taken Maddux and Sal) we got in line to get Sal something to eat. Dick and Laurena and Mom and Jackie were all out in the cafeteria and Sal saw them - but still got in line - didn't pay much attention--- until she saw Grandpa. "Hi There, Granpa!" She ran over to him and gave him a hug. Too cute.
It's now several weeks later and there are STILL checks coming in. So far they've raised over $64,000. In an area where $35,000 is a GOOD yearly income - that says a LOT! Not to mention that times are tough down there. I'd say the majority of our unemployment is in areas like that.
So, on to the next event. Swimming. Sally competed in the Special Olympic swim meet in Palos Heights. She won bronze. It was SO cool. I think she likes swimming the best. When she came back up to the stands with her coach after her heat she said "I swim again?" :-) I'm just SO proud of her on this. I also noticed that Jack was no place to be found most of the day - he was with a friend playing DSI and hardly saw him at all - UNTIL Sal swam. I then noticed that he was right up front at the rail, squatting down and cheering her on - with no prompting from us. He talks a big game about not wanting to be around her and how she bugs him so much (which is true) but I can tell there's a soft spot for her still. I'll never forget when he was smaller he called her his "big hero". :-)
Fast forward to last weekend. We all truckstered down to ISU in Bloomington for the STATE Special Olympics in which Sally's team (Jr Jaguars) played and the older group(Sr Jaguars) played. We went down Friday after work and checked in and watched the kids discover the hotel room. This was their first hotel stay ever. We got two queen beds and decided we'd each sleep with a child. With Sal and her "sleep alone and away" I was a little nervous.
The kids immediately got changed and headed for the pool. Where we met Tommy and his mom - a player on Sal's team. We stayed in for a while and then Sal and I headed upstairs to watch "Naughty Kids" (Supernanny to most of you). Figured I'd wind her down a little and get a grasp on how the night was to go. Jack and Daddy hung out in the lobby. Jack fascinated with the room key (credit card key) and was constantly visiting the coaches on the 3rd floor and coming in and out. He also enjoyed giving his key to the lady at the cafe and telling her to "charge it to the room". :-)
Had to play the bad a$$ on Friday night when Jack and Bill neglected to come back to the room in a timely manner. :-) We *played* at 8 a.m. on Sat which meant if we were following the bus we needed to be up early and it was obvious that Sal was NOT going to sleep until Daddy and Jack were safely tucked into bed. But as much as they grumbled they were seeing that the next morning the people they were "partying" with were nowhere to be seen. My Dad always says: If you stay up late with the Turkeys you can't soar with the Eagles in the morning. :-)
Saturday's game was a joke. I do believe the refs had never called a special needs game. They called "illegal screen" on us! Our kids don't even know what a screen is let alone an illegal one. Ugghh. So we lost - and Tony came very close to fouling out (NEVER have had even close to fouling out in the past). After the game
we went back to the room and got some lunch and just hung out. I was the mean Mom again who wouldn't let them go swimming. We had to play again at 12:30 and I felt like they would tire out too much.
Our 12:30 game was a LOT better - AND we had the same refs. But they had settled down and were obviously schooled about exactly what Special Needs ball is like. Our team took silver medals home. Sally was ALL smiles getting that silver medal hung on her neck as she stood on the podium. It was cute.
The next day we went to Wesleyan and watched the Senior team take gold. Aaron thanked the ref for calling a foul on him and was apologizing all over himself. They are a very quick and entertaining team to watch. Sally got to see Mark play. Mark and her have the same number - 21. They're a lot alike too.
And now to tell about what *I* think was the best part: The Opening Ceremony. All the teams from the state were marched in and introduced. They stood together in their areas (IL has 17 areas. Sally wore her jersey and her gold medal. She looked SO proud of herself. Mark sang the National Anthem. I do believe that was the first time I cried at that song. It was BEAUTIFUL! The Bloomington mayor welcomed us and the Pres of the Olympics gave a speech. Then the lights went out. In the far corner there was a policeman with THE TORCH! He brought it down the arena and gave it to one of the Athletes who brought it around the arena and through the tunnel and then up the stage and lit the cauldron. GOOSE BUMPS!!! HUGE lump in my throat. It was amazing! The cheering was deafening!
I can't explain just how energetic these kids are. The excitement from them hung in the air like stripes of gold. Even Jack was taken in by it. I think his mouth was in a permanent O for a while. After the ceremony there was a dance for all the kids but we decided we'd go back to the hotel and swim. Getting through the crowd was no easy task but they are the kindest and most polite kids. It was just a FANTASTIC experience. Our coaches Danielle, Heather and Oscar are just the BEST! What a fun group. They're always up for anything and they have the patience of Job.
We all had "favorites" from the weekend. Sally's was: Sleeping. I'd say because she didn't sleep alone like usual. Jack's was: Swimming (of course) Bill's was: the games Mine was the torch (and maybe how the beds were made when we came back to the motel - why can't that happen at home) :-)
Aunt Jill and I got there around 12 and walked around and saw ALL the stuff for raffle. If it wasn't there - you didn't need it - that's for sure. Seed for fields, gravel, fertilizer, tvs, spa packages, basketballs, you name it - and one that I thought was really cool: A baseball signed by Swisegood - the winning est baseball coach in IL. :-)
So after we got all settled in - Jill went to get Mike. Melissa and I sat at the table and tried to hold spaces. When Jill came back (she had taken Maddux and Sal) we got in line to get Sal something to eat. Dick and Laurena and Mom and Jackie were all out in the cafeteria and Sal saw them - but still got in line - didn't pay much attention--- until she saw Grandpa. "Hi There, Granpa!" She ran over to him and gave him a hug. Too cute.
It's now several weeks later and there are STILL checks coming in. So far they've raised over $64,000. In an area where $35,000 is a GOOD yearly income - that says a LOT! Not to mention that times are tough down there. I'd say the majority of our unemployment is in areas like that.
So, on to the next event. Swimming. Sally competed in the Special Olympic swim meet in Palos Heights. She won bronze. It was SO cool. I think she likes swimming the best. When she came back up to the stands with her coach after her heat she said "I swim again?" :-) I'm just SO proud of her on this. I also noticed that Jack was no place to be found most of the day - he was with a friend playing DSI and hardly saw him at all - UNTIL Sal swam. I then noticed that he was right up front at the rail, squatting down and cheering her on - with no prompting from us. He talks a big game about not wanting to be around her and how she bugs him so much (which is true) but I can tell there's a soft spot for her still. I'll never forget when he was smaller he called her his "big hero". :-)
Fast forward to last weekend. We all truckstered down to ISU in Bloomington for the STATE Special Olympics in which Sally's team (Jr Jaguars) played and the older group(Sr Jaguars) played. We went down Friday after work and checked in and watched the kids discover the hotel room. This was their first hotel stay ever. We got two queen beds and decided we'd each sleep with a child. With Sal and her "sleep alone and away" I was a little nervous.
The kids immediately got changed and headed for the pool. Where we met Tommy and his mom - a player on Sal's team. We stayed in for a while and then Sal and I headed upstairs to watch "Naughty Kids" (Supernanny to most of you). Figured I'd wind her down a little and get a grasp on how the night was to go. Jack and Daddy hung out in the lobby. Jack fascinated with the room key (credit card key) and was constantly visiting the coaches on the 3rd floor and coming in and out. He also enjoyed giving his key to the lady at the cafe and telling her to "charge it to the room". :-)
Had to play the bad a$$ on Friday night when Jack and Bill neglected to come back to the room in a timely manner. :-) We *played* at 8 a.m. on Sat which meant if we were following the bus we needed to be up early and it was obvious that Sal was NOT going to sleep until Daddy and Jack were safely tucked into bed. But as much as they grumbled they were seeing that the next morning the people they were "partying" with were nowhere to be seen. My Dad always says: If you stay up late with the Turkeys you can't soar with the Eagles in the morning. :-)
Saturday's game was a joke. I do believe the refs had never called a special needs game. They called "illegal screen" on us! Our kids don't even know what a screen is let alone an illegal one. Ugghh. So we lost - and Tony came very close to fouling out (NEVER have had even close to fouling out in the past). After the game
we went back to the room and got some lunch and just hung out. I was the mean Mom again who wouldn't let them go swimming. We had to play again at 12:30 and I felt like they would tire out too much.
Our 12:30 game was a LOT better - AND we had the same refs. But they had settled down and were obviously schooled about exactly what Special Needs ball is like. Our team took silver medals home. Sally was ALL smiles getting that silver medal hung on her neck as she stood on the podium. It was cute.
The next day we went to Wesleyan and watched the Senior team take gold. Aaron thanked the ref for calling a foul on him and was apologizing all over himself. They are a very quick and entertaining team to watch. Sally got to see Mark play. Mark and her have the same number - 21. They're a lot alike too.
And now to tell about what *I* think was the best part: The Opening Ceremony. All the teams from the state were marched in and introduced. They stood together in their areas (IL has 17 areas. Sally wore her jersey and her gold medal. She looked SO proud of herself. Mark sang the National Anthem. I do believe that was the first time I cried at that song. It was BEAUTIFUL! The Bloomington mayor welcomed us and the Pres of the Olympics gave a speech. Then the lights went out. In the far corner there was a policeman with THE TORCH! He brought it down the arena and gave it to one of the Athletes who brought it around the arena and through the tunnel and then up the stage and lit the cauldron. GOOSE BUMPS!!! HUGE lump in my throat. It was amazing! The cheering was deafening!
I can't explain just how energetic these kids are. The excitement from them hung in the air like stripes of gold. Even Jack was taken in by it. I think his mouth was in a permanent O for a while. After the ceremony there was a dance for all the kids but we decided we'd go back to the hotel and swim. Getting through the crowd was no easy task but they are the kindest and most polite kids. It was just a FANTASTIC experience. Our coaches Danielle, Heather and Oscar are just the BEST! What a fun group. They're always up for anything and they have the patience of Job.
We all had "favorites" from the weekend. Sally's was: Sleeping. I'd say because she didn't sleep alone like usual. Jack's was: Swimming (of course) Bill's was: the games Mine was the torch (and maybe how the beds were made when we came back to the motel - why can't that happen at home) :-)
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
We were on Channel 10 News!
BOWEN, Ill. (WGEM) -- Mike Gooding fell from his roof last May and ended up paralyzed from the waist down. He is restricted to a wheelchair and is living in a nursing home. The medical bills from surgeries keep piling up.
On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of Gooding's family and friends turned out for a benefit to help him through the most difficult time of his life.
"There are people from everywhere here. I don't know how far they have come for the benefit, but it's great," said longtime friend Ron Smith.
The Southeastern Elementary auditorium in Bowen, Illinois was packed with people, there to help a loyal friend. It was the first step, they hope, in getting Gooding back on his feet.
"With this crowd here, it's nothing like I expected. I knew there would be lots of people but maybe not this many," said Anne Goudschall, Gooding's friend.
Gooding is thankful for all the support from the community. "It's just amazing. It's a lot of people I haven't seen in eight months," said Gooding.
Gooding may be in a wheelchair now, but he says just wait a little while.
"I'm planning on walking again, though it may be a year or two," said Gooding. "I'll walk one way or another."
The benefit raised almost $25,000, which will go towards medical expenses.
"It's fantastic. I just can't thank people enough. I don't know how I could ever repay all these people," Gooding said.
On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of Gooding's family and friends turned out for a benefit to help him through the most difficult time of his life.
"There are people from everywhere here. I don't know how far they have come for the benefit, but it's great," said longtime friend Ron Smith.
The Southeastern Elementary auditorium in Bowen, Illinois was packed with people, there to help a loyal friend. It was the first step, they hope, in getting Gooding back on his feet.
"With this crowd here, it's nothing like I expected. I knew there would be lots of people but maybe not this many," said Anne Goudschall, Gooding's friend.
Gooding is thankful for all the support from the community. "It's just amazing. It's a lot of people I haven't seen in eight months," said Gooding.
Gooding may be in a wheelchair now, but he says just wait a little while.
"I'm planning on walking again, though it may be a year or two," said Gooding. "I'll walk one way or another."
The benefit raised almost $25,000, which will go towards medical expenses.
"It's fantastic. I just can't thank people enough. I don't know how I could ever repay all these people," Gooding said.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday was a DAY
Mabel greeted us at the door yesterday. We went upstairs to find her cage in the above state. Houdini chewed her way out. But first she pulled the area rug into the cage and it being balled up (think making paper snowflakes when you fold the paper and cut)her chewing created little holes all over the rug.
It was a ROUGH day yesterday. We left here at 8:30 for a Special Olympics basketball game that started at 10:30. Sally was in RARE form. Or should I say the Autism was. Crying, whining, pooping her pants - it wasn't pretty. But as soon as the game started she was in heaven. Now, Sal doesn't actually play - she runs up and down the court and stands at either basket - trying hard not to come in contact with the ball. She also stands in the middle of the court and waves to us. :-) But she is one of only 7 and has to be put in for the other kids to have a break. Plus, she provides comedy. :-) But to the family yesterday she was a miserable little brat (and I HATE that word).
So by the time we arrived home *I* had had it! I have some kind of swollen gland thing in my neck - it's not awful - just annoying - so Mabel's little trick was just what was needed to put me over the edge. I just had to laugh. Bill and I collapsed on the couch and watched our new addiction: "House" and just let the day pass by.
JBSRA won one and lost one yesterday. We play at the State Finals in March, down in Bloomington - which means we will be staying overnight in a hotel. Sally and ANYONE in a room with her - NOT a good match. It will prove to be VERY interesting - I'm SURE! :-)
Jack and I sat on the bleachers yesterday - waiting of Bill to bring a drink and popcorn and Sal was warming up. I talked to him about Sally (she's been riding him pretty good lately) and I commented "She's really on your last nerve lately, huh? I know it's hard, Jack. It's hard for me too, but we have to keep trying together as a team." I said
"Mom, you don't even know," he replied "I have 20 at school and 1 at home, that's 21 people on my back,"
It took EVERY ounce of strength I had to not bust out laughing. It was SO funny - but I knew he was serious and would not have appreciated his Mom laughing in his face. That boy can make SO much drama out of nothing. I swear he'll be a politician, lawyer or actor (if he doesn't end up in jail) the way he can deliver a line of bs is unbelievable. :-)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Mabel Goes To Jail
Wednesday morning Mabel got out the front door as Sally was waiting for her bus. Of course, being Mabel, she ran as fast as she could down the sidewalk and out of sight. I have given up chasing her - esp since we now have inches of snow covering the ground and the fact that I have a very time sensitive morning schedule.
So,as you would guess, she wound up in Animal Control doggie jail. I got a call at work around 2:00 telling me that they had Mabel and kind of "scolded" me about letting her out. Ughhh. Telling me that she could get eaten by a coyote - oh if only..... Now don't go giving me grief about that - I love Mabel and I'm just joking - but just like my kids she is very good at pushing my buttons and can rub that last nerve of mine off the scale. And besides, no coyote in his right mind would go after Mabel. Ewww - Mabel germs. So, after telling them that I would indeed retrieve her after work I hung up.
When I got to Animal Control I heard no barking - so that would mean that Mabel was ALL alone. "Good," I thought, "maybe she will have learned her lesson if she didn't have fun this time, playing with all the other doggies."
Oh, what we Americans do when we give a little power AND a badge to a teenager. This monster size, pimply faced man cub let me in and showed me Mabel's "file". Yes, Mabel has a rap sheet AND a mug shot. Seriously - they have a picture of her and all thees papers of the times when they have caught her. Again, I get the dripping water on the head and the light bulb in my eyes about how Mabel keeps getting out. I would have LOVED to confess that I am so attracted to this little man child that I keep letting the dog out just so I can rondevu with him. :-) Let's get a little perspective here, Sparkie - she's a dog - a beagle at that and they are best known for letting their noses get the best of them. So I hung my head and played all sorry like and picked up Mabel and lectured her all the way home.
Of course I got the eyes this morning - you know those eyes from a dog laying in your bed that say "I'm SO tired, I just want to sleep here all day, I won't make a mess or destroy the house, I'll be good - I'll just sleep in this bed all day. You don't need to put me in the cage." Oh, she's good at the eyes. If only she'd use her power for good instead of evil.
So,as you would guess, she wound up in Animal Control doggie jail. I got a call at work around 2:00 telling me that they had Mabel and kind of "scolded" me about letting her out. Ughhh. Telling me that she could get eaten by a coyote - oh if only..... Now don't go giving me grief about that - I love Mabel and I'm just joking - but just like my kids she is very good at pushing my buttons and can rub that last nerve of mine off the scale. And besides, no coyote in his right mind would go after Mabel. Ewww - Mabel germs. So, after telling them that I would indeed retrieve her after work I hung up.
When I got to Animal Control I heard no barking - so that would mean that Mabel was ALL alone. "Good," I thought, "maybe she will have learned her lesson if she didn't have fun this time, playing with all the other doggies."
Oh, what we Americans do when we give a little power AND a badge to a teenager. This monster size, pimply faced man cub let me in and showed me Mabel's "file". Yes, Mabel has a rap sheet AND a mug shot. Seriously - they have a picture of her and all thees papers of the times when they have caught her. Again, I get the dripping water on the head and the light bulb in my eyes about how Mabel keeps getting out. I would have LOVED to confess that I am so attracted to this little man child that I keep letting the dog out just so I can rondevu with him. :-) Let's get a little perspective here, Sparkie - she's a dog - a beagle at that and they are best known for letting their noses get the best of them. So I hung my head and played all sorry like and picked up Mabel and lectured her all the way home.
Of course I got the eyes this morning - you know those eyes from a dog laying in your bed that say "I'm SO tired, I just want to sleep here all day, I won't make a mess or destroy the house, I'll be good - I'll just sleep in this bed all day. You don't need to put me in the cage." Oh, she's good at the eyes. If only she'd use her power for good instead of evil.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Mike Gooding Benefit
www.mikegooding.com
Date: Saturday, 27 February 2010
Time: 2:00 - 10:00
Location: Southeastern Elementary School - Bowen IL
Description: My brother-in-law, Mike worked for Alexander Lumber Co for 38 years. Last May he fell from his roof and is now paralyzed from the chest down. Mike and his wife, Jill (my sister) live in rural LaPrarie.
A meal will begin at 2 pm to include soups, sandwiches, deserts and drinks for a Free Will Offering. There will be a 50/50 drawing and three raffle items to include a 50" flat screen plasma TV, a $500 gift card from Game Masters in Quincy and a Nintendo Wii. You need not be present to win.
Tickets are available for $1.00 each or $5.00 for six. The Hancock County Piecemakers Quitling Guild are now selling tickets and will be on hand that day to raffle off a handmade quilt. There will be an auction beginning at 4 pm and music throughout the day by DJ Danny Veach.
For questions or to hlep with donating auction or raffle items, please call Teresa Wood at (217) 842-5884 or Anita Marlow at (217) 392-2323. Matching funds from the benefit will be provided by Thrivent Financial Lutherans Chapter 30630.
Date: Saturday, 27 February 2010
Time: 2:00 - 10:00
Location: Southeastern Elementary School - Bowen IL
Description: My brother-in-law, Mike worked for Alexander Lumber Co for 38 years. Last May he fell from his roof and is now paralyzed from the chest down. Mike and his wife, Jill (my sister) live in rural LaPrarie.
A meal will begin at 2 pm to include soups, sandwiches, deserts and drinks for a Free Will Offering. There will be a 50/50 drawing and three raffle items to include a 50" flat screen plasma TV, a $500 gift card from Game Masters in Quincy and a Nintendo Wii. You need not be present to win.
Tickets are available for $1.00 each or $5.00 for six. The Hancock County Piecemakers Quitling Guild are now selling tickets and will be on hand that day to raffle off a handmade quilt. There will be an auction beginning at 4 pm and music throughout the day by DJ Danny Veach.
For questions or to hlep with donating auction or raffle items, please call Teresa Wood at (217) 842-5884 or Anita Marlow at (217) 392-2323. Matching funds from the benefit will be provided by Thrivent Financial Lutherans Chapter 30630.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Mike Gooding Benefit!
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Date: Saturday, 27 February 2010
Time: 2:00 - 10:00
Location: Southeastern Elementary School - Bowen IL
Description My brother-in-law, Mike worked for Alexander Lumber Co for 38 years. Last May he fell from his roof and is now paralyzed from the chest down. Mike and his wife, Jill (my sister) live in rural LaPrarie.
A meal will begin at 2 pm to include soups, sandwiches, deserts and drinks for a Free Will Offering. There will be a 50/50 drawing and three raffle items to include a 50" flat screen plasma TV, a $500 gift card from Game Masters in Quincy and a Nintendo Wii. You need not be present to win.
Tickets are available for $1.00 each or $5.00 for six. The Hancock County Piecemakers Quilting Guild are now selling tickets and will be on hand that day to raffle off a handmade quilt. There will be an auction beginning at 4 pm and music throughout the day by DJ Danny Veach.
For questions or to help with donating auction or raffle items, please call Teresa Wood at (217) 842-5884 or Anita Marlow at (217) 392-2323. Matching funds from the benefit will be provided by Thrivent Financial Lutherans Chapter 30630.
If you would like to send a donation, please make check payable to The Mike Gooding Benefit, c/ Marine Bank and Trust - PO Box 216, August IL 62311.
Date: Saturday, 27 February 2010
Time: 2:00 - 10:00
Location: Southeastern Elementary School - Bowen IL
Description My brother-in-law, Mike worked for Alexander Lumber Co for 38 years. Last May he fell from his roof and is now paralyzed from the chest down. Mike and his wife, Jill (my sister) live in rural LaPrarie.
A meal will begin at 2 pm to include soups, sandwiches, deserts and drinks for a Free Will Offering. There will be a 50/50 drawing and three raffle items to include a 50" flat screen plasma TV, a $500 gift card from Game Masters in Quincy and a Nintendo Wii. You need not be present to win.
Tickets are available for $1.00 each or $5.00 for six. The Hancock County Piecemakers Quilting Guild are now selling tickets and will be on hand that day to raffle off a handmade quilt. There will be an auction beginning at 4 pm and music throughout the day by DJ Danny Veach.
For questions or to help with donating auction or raffle items, please call Teresa Wood at (217) 842-5884 or Anita Marlow at (217) 392-2323. Matching funds from the benefit will be provided by Thrivent Financial Lutherans Chapter 30630.
If you would like to send a donation, please make check payable to The Mike Gooding Benefit, c/ Marine Bank and Trust - PO Box 216, August IL 62311.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Sigh
Bill and I are weird. We've decided this after watching a Special Needs basketball game where parents - mind you parents who have to help their child get dressed - yell at refs and coaches!!!!! LET'S GET SOME PERSPECTIVE PEOPLE!!!!!! Seriously - you have to zip your child's coat - a child who is at leas 10 years of age and you think that it's really worth your energy to yell at a coach for not playing your child more???
Bill and I also cheer for both teams - it's not like we made a pact or something - it just happens. If you really watch the game and see the intensity in their faces - that just running up and down the court is a BIG deal to them - you HAVE to cheer! I wonder - where is the compassion? Where is the camaraderie? I mean - we, as parents are all in this together. Aren't we THRILLED that there IS a Special Needs basketball team? Bill and I are. We're THRILLED with the coaches - who are young adults who could be doing a LOT of things on a Sat afternoon than this. Sure, they get paid - but you know it's not NEAR what the effort demands.
I'm embarrassed. A LOT. I'm embarrassed to be a Special Needs parent - and it's not the kids that embarrass me - it's the adults and I feel ashamed for their actions. Quite the same way I feel ashamed to be a Christian when Pat Roberts opens his mouth and has the audacity to give REASON to a HUGE tragedy the way he did.
The crazy thing is - a Special Needs person would no more yell at a Ref or a coach than Christ would blame God for Haiti. I question? Where are the camera's? I mean, we're surely on Candid Camera or Punked - right??? I mean - it's CRAZY what goes on in day to day life.
So Bill and I laughed our "we're sorry you're so pathetic" laugh that we share a lot lately. We cheered for our little "Brick" who stands - and I mean STANDS near the top of the key and waves to the crowd or tells the others what they should do. We cheer for the other team and tell the people in front of us how cute their son's smile is. We stand as the cheerleaders from the other team - one who is in a wheel-chair, get up and do a cheer for the other team. We joke with the coaches afterwards and tell them to do a shot for us - cause you KNOW after dealing with those parents they HAVE to unwind somehow. We shake our heads on the way home and try and teach Jack how very lucky he is to have a body that works correctly with his brain and how proud we are of him because he helped Sally during practice. And mostly we wonder if the world has gone mad. We wonder how it is that we have come through all this with the humor we possess and then we keep keeping on.
Life is hard enough with Sal (and Jack) to carry all that ANGER. My back isn't strong enough. But I have to admit to feelings of wanting to cross the court - call time out - and shake the CRAP out of the parents that are IDIOTS! The restraint I've shown is amazing. :-)
Bill and I also cheer for both teams - it's not like we made a pact or something - it just happens. If you really watch the game and see the intensity in their faces - that just running up and down the court is a BIG deal to them - you HAVE to cheer! I wonder - where is the compassion? Where is the camaraderie? I mean - we, as parents are all in this together. Aren't we THRILLED that there IS a Special Needs basketball team? Bill and I are. We're THRILLED with the coaches - who are young adults who could be doing a LOT of things on a Sat afternoon than this. Sure, they get paid - but you know it's not NEAR what the effort demands.
I'm embarrassed. A LOT. I'm embarrassed to be a Special Needs parent - and it's not the kids that embarrass me - it's the adults and I feel ashamed for their actions. Quite the same way I feel ashamed to be a Christian when Pat Roberts opens his mouth and has the audacity to give REASON to a HUGE tragedy the way he did.
The crazy thing is - a Special Needs person would no more yell at a Ref or a coach than Christ would blame God for Haiti. I question? Where are the camera's? I mean, we're surely on Candid Camera or Punked - right??? I mean - it's CRAZY what goes on in day to day life.
So Bill and I laughed our "we're sorry you're so pathetic" laugh that we share a lot lately. We cheered for our little "Brick" who stands - and I mean STANDS near the top of the key and waves to the crowd or tells the others what they should do. We cheer for the other team and tell the people in front of us how cute their son's smile is. We stand as the cheerleaders from the other team - one who is in a wheel-chair, get up and do a cheer for the other team. We joke with the coaches afterwards and tell them to do a shot for us - cause you KNOW after dealing with those parents they HAVE to unwind somehow. We shake our heads on the way home and try and teach Jack how very lucky he is to have a body that works correctly with his brain and how proud we are of him because he helped Sally during practice. And mostly we wonder if the world has gone mad. We wonder how it is that we have come through all this with the humor we possess and then we keep keeping on.
Life is hard enough with Sal (and Jack) to carry all that ANGER. My back isn't strong enough. But I have to admit to feelings of wanting to cross the court - call time out - and shake the CRAP out of the parents that are IDIOTS! The restraint I've shown is amazing. :-)
Monday, January 18, 2010
Some More Time
Things have really been speeding along lately. Sal has swim club on Monday night, Jack has basketball practice on Tuesday night, Sal has Social Club and basketball games on Saturday and Jack has basketball games on Sunday. In between we have the usual homework and working on mult tables and subtraction and Sal's general upkeep.
:-)
Swim club is SO funny. I have NEVER seen anyone kick SO hard and really go no where - I really mean that - she travels no where. But she's smiling ALL the time! It is SO cute. Those squinty eyes all squished into her goggles, her little hands coming out of the water every so often as if doing a high five and her legs making a HUGE wake. :-) Her coaches love her so much. They all come up and talk to her before and after. I love the Park District staff. I know it's crazy but I always fear loosing such good people. I'm as hateful of change as Sal is.
Sally went to the dance at Humphrey last Friday. She had a GREAT time. As she was getting in the truck she told me "I threw pies". What???? My first question was "were you supposed to?" :-) I guess there were games there too and one of them was throwing pies at the Principal. She hit him twice, she said. :-)
Jack is becoming more and more vocal (nastily) with Sal and his tolerance is VERY low. I'm hoping it's because we haven't been outside playing lately. We decided he needs to be limited on the computer and his DS.
My sister is still going one step forward and 5 back. She has to force feed Mike and make sure he's drinking enough (or he'll end up in the hosp again). She says he's so mixed up sometimes. Last weekend as she quizzed him about the name of his sons and their wives and kids he replied "Jack" many many times. :-) Like I've always said "It's all Jack, all the time" :-) It's hard to hear on the phone. You just want to take it all away from them.
:-)
Swim club is SO funny. I have NEVER seen anyone kick SO hard and really go no where - I really mean that - she travels no where. But she's smiling ALL the time! It is SO cute. Those squinty eyes all squished into her goggles, her little hands coming out of the water every so often as if doing a high five and her legs making a HUGE wake. :-) Her coaches love her so much. They all come up and talk to her before and after. I love the Park District staff. I know it's crazy but I always fear loosing such good people. I'm as hateful of change as Sal is.
Sally went to the dance at Humphrey last Friday. She had a GREAT time. As she was getting in the truck she told me "I threw pies". What???? My first question was "were you supposed to?" :-) I guess there were games there too and one of them was throwing pies at the Principal. She hit him twice, she said. :-)
Jack is becoming more and more vocal (nastily) with Sal and his tolerance is VERY low. I'm hoping it's because we haven't been outside playing lately. We decided he needs to be limited on the computer and his DS.
My sister is still going one step forward and 5 back. She has to force feed Mike and make sure he's drinking enough (or he'll end up in the hosp again). She says he's so mixed up sometimes. Last weekend as she quizzed him about the name of his sons and their wives and kids he replied "Jack" many many times. :-) Like I've always said "It's all Jack, all the time" :-) It's hard to hear on the phone. You just want to take it all away from them.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
New Year!!!?????
Day number 2 - doesn't seem that different. But then again it does. I've had a realization this week. My sister and I were commiserating on the critics in our lives who, without even being close to us, feel they know better how we should act or what we should say.
We both kind of feel like "when you change your loved one's soiled undies on a daily basis - then you can talk to us", :-) So it got me to thinking.... It's always "family" that feel they can judge us like this. Is it because THEY can't fathom the idea of us being able to handle this? Do we not fit the mold they've made for us? Are we stronger than they've ever given us credit for? See, my theory is that they have placed us in a role (we all do it) and usually it is a role of "much less than" their role and now, suddenly or over time, they can't see us lower than they are - the way they were so comfortable in seeing themselves. Sometimes being around people that *you* feel are *more than you* is uncomfortable because you have to look at yourself and maybe they're not real happy with themselves??? I just say this because I know when I talk to people who have a lot of energy it makes me feel like a slug because I feel like I don't do anything. I think this happens to the older of the siblings. They have placed you in a role of always needing them. Of you never really amounting to much - because you were such a pain in the butt as a kid. I've always said - I could cure cancer tomorrow but I'd always be "Monster" to my siblings - the kid who was always in trouble and got bad grades. :-) And then again - I'm way off and some people are just nasty for the sake of being nasty. :-)
So, Sally said to me yesterday "Do I have to be a teenager?" :-) We were talking about what would be happening this year and such. We also got into a conversation about wishes - and what each kid would wish for. Jack wished for more wishes (big surprise there) but Sal wished that EVERYONE would have a wish! Awww - is that not sweet. :-)
The Holidays have been tough on her. It's an anxious time for all kids but for the Auti's of the world - it's even more crazy and then there's the whole "that was it?" let down that I think we ALL experience.
My brother-in-law has had some set backs. He went to surgery over the holidays and it all went well, BUT he decided he wasn't doing rehab at the hosp so they took him back to the nursing home. He went to the ER over the weekend and at one time it was a very touchy 24 hours. He has recovered and is prob going back to the nursing home on Monday. My sister is really having a rough time! It just seems like one tiny step forward and 4 huge steps back - ALL the time. Seems like she's getting called for all sorts of stupid reasons. His attitude is the WORST. Not that he doesn't deserve to be a butt head - but he had been much better - still a pain in the arse - don't get me wrong - he's still Mike. But this person is SOOOO bad. I wish he'd do therapy at the hosp - I think because *they* work with people like that MUCH more than the N Home they would prob be able to recognize what attitude was "normal" and what was meds, diet, etc. I worry about both of them. It's very hard to be away from everything - but I'm sure it's hard to be there too. You want to just wave a wand and make it all better.
We both kind of feel like "when you change your loved one's soiled undies on a daily basis - then you can talk to us", :-) So it got me to thinking.... It's always "family" that feel they can judge us like this. Is it because THEY can't fathom the idea of us being able to handle this? Do we not fit the mold they've made for us? Are we stronger than they've ever given us credit for? See, my theory is that they have placed us in a role (we all do it) and usually it is a role of "much less than" their role and now, suddenly or over time, they can't see us lower than they are - the way they were so comfortable in seeing themselves. Sometimes being around people that *you* feel are *more than you* is uncomfortable because you have to look at yourself and maybe they're not real happy with themselves??? I just say this because I know when I talk to people who have a lot of energy it makes me feel like a slug because I feel like I don't do anything. I think this happens to the older of the siblings. They have placed you in a role of always needing them. Of you never really amounting to much - because you were such a pain in the butt as a kid. I've always said - I could cure cancer tomorrow but I'd always be "Monster" to my siblings - the kid who was always in trouble and got bad grades. :-) And then again - I'm way off and some people are just nasty for the sake of being nasty. :-)
So, Sally said to me yesterday "Do I have to be a teenager?" :-) We were talking about what would be happening this year and such. We also got into a conversation about wishes - and what each kid would wish for. Jack wished for more wishes (big surprise there) but Sal wished that EVERYONE would have a wish! Awww - is that not sweet. :-)
The Holidays have been tough on her. It's an anxious time for all kids but for the Auti's of the world - it's even more crazy and then there's the whole "that was it?" let down that I think we ALL experience.
My brother-in-law has had some set backs. He went to surgery over the holidays and it all went well, BUT he decided he wasn't doing rehab at the hosp so they took him back to the nursing home. He went to the ER over the weekend and at one time it was a very touchy 24 hours. He has recovered and is prob going back to the nursing home on Monday. My sister is really having a rough time! It just seems like one tiny step forward and 4 huge steps back - ALL the time. Seems like she's getting called for all sorts of stupid reasons. His attitude is the WORST. Not that he doesn't deserve to be a butt head - but he had been much better - still a pain in the arse - don't get me wrong - he's still Mike. But this person is SOOOO bad. I wish he'd do therapy at the hosp - I think because *they* work with people like that MUCH more than the N Home they would prob be able to recognize what attitude was "normal" and what was meds, diet, etc. I worry about both of them. It's very hard to be away from everything - but I'm sure it's hard to be there too. You want to just wave a wand and make it all better.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thank God It's Over
So Merry Christmas is over. It's been a CRAZY week. I worked on Monday and Daddy had the kids. Tues and Wed Daddy was out in a plow and I think we saw him a total of 1 hour. Christmas Eve was VERY hard. Holidays are always hard on typical kids - let alone autie's. Since there has really been no schedule like school since last Friday - Sal has been a basket case. All in all she did well till Christmas Eve and then the whole anxiety of Santa and gifts kind of got the best of her.
We made it till 6pm and then went looking at lights. She did REALLY well with that. We had cookies and coffee and juice and drove around looking at all the lights around town. (one of the perks of having someone working for PW - they know where all the good lights are) :-)
When we got home we opened our new jammies, took a bath, checked NORAD to see where Santa was and hopped into bed.
Mabel woke up around 4am and had to go out. As I left my bedroom to let her out I saw through the darkness two little eyes gleaming back at me. "Santa was here" she said. "I hear him". How can you tell her to go back to bed??? THAT would be a GREAT Christmas memory. :-) So, Sal and I went out to the living room and watched the Christmas Story marathon. :-)
Jack woke up around 6 and we set off a bomb to get Daddy up and they set out tearing open gifts. Grandpa gave Jack a set of Wild West 6-shooter cap guns! (we'll be picking his room at the home soon - he's obviously senile) :-) Granpa said he got a set of those every year when he was a boy and he thought Jack needed a gun. :-) Not to mention several things of caps. :-) Mr Chad had brought over a marsh mellow shooter for each child WITH lots a marshmallows! What is it with people?? :-) Mabel loved the marshmallows that came shooting by but was NOT keen on the cap gun. That sent her under the couch as fast as she could get her fat body under there. :-)
Santa also left an Easy Bake Oven (on both Sal and Jack's list). I can tell you - Santa had a tough time FINDING an EBO! In fact, I have it on good authority that he had elves out the night before trying to find the EBO!
Jack got a DSI - a game boy kind of thing that can connect to the Internet. That's all very foreign to me as Santa had Daddy's help on that one.
So after all the wrapping was flung from here to there, cookies and fudge eaten for breakfast and Mom and Dad were near their very last nerve. The kiddies were sent to watch a movie and fall asleep. Sal slept for a couple hours, but she still was a pain in the butt! Question after question about camp (next week) and Dick and Laurena's and even summer. Ugghh. It sounds like no big deal but after you deal with it for a while it really gets on one's nerves.
So it's been a day of playing "In A Pickle" baking cakes in the EBO, dodging marshmallow bullets and watching Mabel squeeze under the couch as fast as possible.
We have 2 more "down" days and I'm not sure who will weather worse - me or Sally. :-)
We made it till 6pm and then went looking at lights. She did REALLY well with that. We had cookies and coffee and juice and drove around looking at all the lights around town. (one of the perks of having someone working for PW - they know where all the good lights are) :-)
When we got home we opened our new jammies, took a bath, checked NORAD to see where Santa was and hopped into bed.
Mabel woke up around 4am and had to go out. As I left my bedroom to let her out I saw through the darkness two little eyes gleaming back at me. "Santa was here" she said. "I hear him". How can you tell her to go back to bed??? THAT would be a GREAT Christmas memory. :-) So, Sal and I went out to the living room and watched the Christmas Story marathon. :-)
Jack woke up around 6 and we set off a bomb to get Daddy up and they set out tearing open gifts. Grandpa gave Jack a set of Wild West 6-shooter cap guns! (we'll be picking his room at the home soon - he's obviously senile) :-) Granpa said he got a set of those every year when he was a boy and he thought Jack needed a gun. :-) Not to mention several things of caps. :-) Mr Chad had brought over a marsh mellow shooter for each child WITH lots a marshmallows! What is it with people?? :-) Mabel loved the marshmallows that came shooting by but was NOT keen on the cap gun. That sent her under the couch as fast as she could get her fat body under there. :-)
Santa also left an Easy Bake Oven (on both Sal and Jack's list). I can tell you - Santa had a tough time FINDING an EBO! In fact, I have it on good authority that he had elves out the night before trying to find the EBO!
Jack got a DSI - a game boy kind of thing that can connect to the Internet. That's all very foreign to me as Santa had Daddy's help on that one.
So after all the wrapping was flung from here to there, cookies and fudge eaten for breakfast and Mom and Dad were near their very last nerve. The kiddies were sent to watch a movie and fall asleep. Sal slept for a couple hours, but she still was a pain in the butt! Question after question about camp (next week) and Dick and Laurena's and even summer. Ugghh. It sounds like no big deal but after you deal with it for a while it really gets on one's nerves.
So it's been a day of playing "In A Pickle" baking cakes in the EBO, dodging marshmallow bullets and watching Mabel squeeze under the couch as fast as possible.
We have 2 more "down" days and I'm not sure who will weather worse - me or Sally. :-)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Christmas, Shristmas
As most of you know, I'm not a fan of the red and green. So much not a fan that I'm seriously considering other traditions - but that's a whole 'nother story.
One thing that sucks about Christmas is the hyperness it creates in ALL kids - let alone my little freak. Sally is FULL of anxiety. The days off of school (ie: schedule disruption), strange things in the house, many social events, I swear they should make anti-anxiety pills just for Christmas.
She has been a busy bee. Last weekend was the trip on the Polar Express to the North Pole. She had a GREAT time and then on Sunday was a birthday party for our neighbor down the street at the pool. She and Jack were WAY over the edge.
We finally got the tree up yesterday and Jack and Sal decorated it. I think another couple years and they could do ALL of the decorating - which would be just FINE with me! :-)
It's been very cold here and Mabel has been allowed to go out back withOUT her chain on. It lasted for about 3 days - then she made a break for it - ended up at the neighbor's across the street. She comes right in and heads for the couch - squeezes her little fat girl body under it (a REAL sight) and stays there till she thinks you're done being mad at her (or she forgets) .
I'm now in the process of making little Chineese take out containers to hold candy for the teachers. Sal has 12 I need to make up and Jack has 2. I really wish I could give Sal's more - they have REALLY surprised me. We heard such horror stories of Jr High and Special Needs that we went in pretty synical. I have to say, we're VERY pleasently surprised. Not by her Cross Cat teacher - I knew from the day we sat in on her class that she and Sal were kindred spirits. I could tell she had a fantastic sense of humor and was really "into" the kids. Not to mention the aides in her room. But I have to admit - ALL of her teachers have been just terrific! Again, we're either babies or fools -isn't that who God takes car of? We sure have been, that's for sure.
One thing that sucks about Christmas is the hyperness it creates in ALL kids - let alone my little freak. Sally is FULL of anxiety. The days off of school (ie: schedule disruption), strange things in the house, many social events, I swear they should make anti-anxiety pills just for Christmas.
She has been a busy bee. Last weekend was the trip on the Polar Express to the North Pole. She had a GREAT time and then on Sunday was a birthday party for our neighbor down the street at the pool. She and Jack were WAY over the edge.
We finally got the tree up yesterday and Jack and Sal decorated it. I think another couple years and they could do ALL of the decorating - which would be just FINE with me! :-)
It's been very cold here and Mabel has been allowed to go out back withOUT her chain on. It lasted for about 3 days - then she made a break for it - ended up at the neighbor's across the street. She comes right in and heads for the couch - squeezes her little fat girl body under it (a REAL sight) and stays there till she thinks you're done being mad at her (or she forgets) .
I'm now in the process of making little Chineese take out containers to hold candy for the teachers. Sal has 12 I need to make up and Jack has 2. I really wish I could give Sal's more - they have REALLY surprised me. We heard such horror stories of Jr High and Special Needs that we went in pretty synical. I have to say, we're VERY pleasently surprised. Not by her Cross Cat teacher - I knew from the day we sat in on her class that she and Sal were kindred spirits. I could tell she had a fantastic sense of humor and was really "into" the kids. Not to mention the aides in her room. But I have to admit - ALL of her teachers have been just terrific! Again, we're either babies or fools -isn't that who God takes car of? We sure have been, that's for sure.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
"On Holiday"
We left on Thanksgiving morning around 7am. The ride down was pretty good. We got in to Aunt Jill's around 11. She had gotten Uncle Mike from the Nursing Home, Gma and Gpa were there and Gma was peeling potatoes. Uncle Mick was there and being his usual goofy self. But there a couple 4 legged guests missing. Come to find out, Aunt Jill had to put Ottie down on Monday. He had gotten so sick with the cancer that he was barely eating and up all night restless.
The other 4 legged no show was Tiny. We got a call half way through dinner that Tiny was down a ways at a "neighbors" (on the farm a "neighbor" is well over a mile away). So Gpa and Mick loaded into the wheelchair van and went to pick him up. The wild thing about Tiny is that he thinks he's, well, *tiny*. He doesn't like to walk on the wheel chair lift - I think he thinks he'll fall through the lattice. :-) He also won't lay on the floor of the van - he has to sit on the seat. He is too funny. But when he got home he was chained to the tether ball pole and he was NOT happy. Chunk had a look on her face like "I *told* him not to go - but does he listen, no". :-)
After dinner Brad and Becky and kids showed up. Oh my - the house was up for grabs. 4 kids running through like wild men, playing hide and seek in Aunt Jill's closet, in the basement and in the toy room. Gma and Gpa left --- chickens. Sal, Aunt Jill and I took Uncle Mike back to the nursing home. That's no small task. I can't see why my sister isn't a twig from all the work it takes to get him in and out of anywhere.
Mick entertained us with his version of him being the "bad son" and Brad being the "good son". It was too funny. SO much good food. Turkey, potatoes, gravy, noodles, dressing, dirty pudding, broc casserole, rolls, and all kinds of pies and apple cake. We ate left overs for a couple of days.
On Friday (black Friday) we did nothing. The kids played outside and we took naps and ate. :-) We went into Golden to see Gma and Gpa and Gma took us to the Windmill to show us the Christmas stuff.
Gma has THE chair that used to be in THE Dr's office in Golden. There was no examination table - it was a chair - complete with stirrups. AND with the chair came the Drs bag AND his record book. Jack Beckett was recorded in the book twice. Once for a cough and once for a cut. Total of $1.75. I figure he was more trouble to Gma than he was worth. :-) It's all very interesting. I love all that old history stuff.
So Saturday rolled around and we took all 6 kids bowling, out to eat pizza and then to see lights in Moorman park. (the picture at the top) We were ALL tired by the time we dropped Uncle Mike off at the Nursing Home.
We all truckstered home to Bbk on Sunday. Those weekends are always too short.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Nutcracker was a ball-buster
Full weekend for Sal. Friday night she went to the Pilgrim Dance with all her special needs friends from all over the area. She had a good time and reported that she had danced to "Who Let the Dogs Out" and "YMCA". :-) She didn't get home till 10 and then up early on Saturday and off to the Arboretum for Social Club.
We went as a family to the Nutcracker on Sunday and she was very good - for the first half. In the 2nd act she kept talking - loud and we threatened to take her out. She still didn't settle down too well. I've never been so glad to see the end of something. I'm seriously considering the trip to be just Me and Jack thing - or just me.
I hate when the autism comes roaring in like that. It just seemed like 2 steps forward and 3 back. :-( Bill keeps saying that next year will be better. I don't know. I guess it's my fault because I put importance on it because *I* love the ballet SO much. I want her to share that love - but I need to forget that. I just don't think she gets it.
Sal and several friends were in the paper this week. Honor Roll lists came out. There were a lot from her Cross Cat class and from her 6th grade in general. I've always felt that class was an extra good one. She really enjoyed seeing her name and then looking up all her friends.
We awoke yesterday to find pink flamingos in our yard. It's a fundraiser by the Girl Scouts. There were about 12 pink beasts staked in the yard, along with a sign that read "You've Been Flocked by Girl Scout Troop 370". It was so cute. And what a GREAT idea. There was a bag attached to the door with a form to fill out if you wanted to make a donation and have the flock sent somewhere. As I was asking Bill for ideas of who to send them to that we knew would not only donate but send them along Jack piped up with "Grandpa would". :-) Yes, he would - but he's a *little* out of the flight pattern. :-) We decided to send them westerly - around Denver Drive area. :-)
Sal woke up today and wanted to know where the flamingos had gone. A little difficult to explain "fundraiser". :-)
We pack tomorrow and head out Thurs morning bright and early. Hoping for a nice weekend and lots of time for *them* to play outside. :-)
We went as a family to the Nutcracker on Sunday and she was very good - for the first half. In the 2nd act she kept talking - loud and we threatened to take her out. She still didn't settle down too well. I've never been so glad to see the end of something. I'm seriously considering the trip to be just Me and Jack thing - or just me.
I hate when the autism comes roaring in like that. It just seemed like 2 steps forward and 3 back. :-( Bill keeps saying that next year will be better. I don't know. I guess it's my fault because I put importance on it because *I* love the ballet SO much. I want her to share that love - but I need to forget that. I just don't think she gets it.
Sal and several friends were in the paper this week. Honor Roll lists came out. There were a lot from her Cross Cat class and from her 6th grade in general. I've always felt that class was an extra good one. She really enjoyed seeing her name and then looking up all her friends.
We awoke yesterday to find pink flamingos in our yard. It's a fundraiser by the Girl Scouts. There were about 12 pink beasts staked in the yard, along with a sign that read "You've Been Flocked by Girl Scout Troop 370". It was so cute. And what a GREAT idea. There was a bag attached to the door with a form to fill out if you wanted to make a donation and have the flock sent somewhere. As I was asking Bill for ideas of who to send them to that we knew would not only donate but send them along Jack piped up with "Grandpa would". :-) Yes, he would - but he's a *little* out of the flight pattern. :-) We decided to send them westerly - around Denver Drive area. :-)
Sal woke up today and wanted to know where the flamingos had gone. A little difficult to explain "fundraiser". :-)
We pack tomorrow and head out Thurs morning bright and early. Hoping for a nice weekend and lots of time for *them* to play outside. :-)
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