Almost an extended weekend... time to smile! This morning, I got a dose of education....via Rachel.
My daughter, informed me this morning that she is an astronaut! hmm...hmm...should I inquire further? I know it will be something I have not thought of, BUT, I bite. "How are you an astronaut?". She continued to inform me that I am an astronaut, too. Wow, my life must be more exciting and adventurous than I knew.
Now, I'm trying to think ahead...nothing..."I don't understand what you mean, Rachel". To which she "explains", "well astronauts go & live in space, right?". To which I say "that's what I thought". She then tells me that the earth is in space, our house is on the earth, and houses are "living spaces", so we are all astronauts!
So, next time I have a form to fill out, & there is a question of my career, I might consider "Astronaut"! Have a great weekend! To infinity and beyond...
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Change? Did someone say new Dr.?
It's been an interesting week, as usual. Rachel's Dr. left the practice in November, so we were assigned to the new one. We got there plenty early...were signing in....the sweet lady informed me that her new Dr. was "different" from her old ones. Hmm...Different? Change? You get the anxiety!
She had had 2 warm, friendly female Dr.s, so when told it was a man, some anxiety was shown by Rachel & a good bit was being felt by me. We were also told that patients had reported he was not so friendly, while the parents reported that they hoped he was thorough, since the connection seemed "off".
So, with some apprehension, we followed him into his office. Once in there, we watched him write & write & write....did I say write. He hardly looked up, asked just a handful of questions & even I was feeling uncomfortable. Twenty minutes later, Rachel's hands were flapping & she was rocking back & forth in her seat. By that point, I just wanted to get out. He continued silently writing, while I tried to break the ice....it just wasn't going to happen. So after handing me the prescriptions, I breathed a sigh of relief (a little prematurely)!
He then proceeded to ask her the obligatory questions, by most psychiatrists (however, her previous ones did not ask)! Do you have any thoughts of hurting anyone...yourself...? She just sat there, confused. With a little different wording by me, she said "NO, but sometimes it happens"! Then he asked if she ever saw things that weren't there, or heard things that weren't there? Uh oh... Total confusion from her! Then he tried to reword it & said "Do you ever see things that other people don't see?". She immediately said "YES"! Oh dear, & we had almost made it out.
When asked to explain, I guessed kind of what was coming. She told him everday it happens. She always sees her teacher from her seat, but some others can't always see the teacher from where they sit. (Excellent point!) He finally wrapped it up, much to my relief!
As he was escorting us to the door, I stepped into the hall & turned around to see Rachel was not there. We stepped back into the office to see her neatly pushing all of the chairs up to his table, at just the right angles & amounts of seperation. She couldn't leave until that "job" was done! Just a little OCD! I wondered how long he would be writing once we left! But thankful to have escaped!
She had had 2 warm, friendly female Dr.s, so when told it was a man, some anxiety was shown by Rachel & a good bit was being felt by me. We were also told that patients had reported he was not so friendly, while the parents reported that they hoped he was thorough, since the connection seemed "off".
So, with some apprehension, we followed him into his office. Once in there, we watched him write & write & write....did I say write. He hardly looked up, asked just a handful of questions & even I was feeling uncomfortable. Twenty minutes later, Rachel's hands were flapping & she was rocking back & forth in her seat. By that point, I just wanted to get out. He continued silently writing, while I tried to break the ice....it just wasn't going to happen. So after handing me the prescriptions, I breathed a sigh of relief (a little prematurely)!
He then proceeded to ask her the obligatory questions, by most psychiatrists (however, her previous ones did not ask)! Do you have any thoughts of hurting anyone...yourself...? She just sat there, confused. With a little different wording by me, she said "NO, but sometimes it happens"! Then he asked if she ever saw things that weren't there, or heard things that weren't there? Uh oh... Total confusion from her! Then he tried to reword it & said "Do you ever see things that other people don't see?". She immediately said "YES"! Oh dear, & we had almost made it out.
When asked to explain, I guessed kind of what was coming. She told him everday it happens. She always sees her teacher from her seat, but some others can't always see the teacher from where they sit. (Excellent point!) He finally wrapped it up, much to my relief!
As he was escorting us to the door, I stepped into the hall & turned around to see Rachel was not there. We stepped back into the office to see her neatly pushing all of the chairs up to his table, at just the right angles & amounts of seperation. She couldn't leave until that "job" was done! Just a little OCD! I wondered how long he would be writing once we left! But thankful to have escaped!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
What makes for a more balanced woman?
I always enjoy a smile. And this morning began with just that! We were listening to the radio, as always, on the way to school. Our radio station has a "DQ" every morning (darned question), where listeners call up guessing answers to win various prizes. So...
Today's question was "according to Cosmo...what helps a woman feel more balanced?". The expected answers were being called in: enough sleep, eating right, exercising... But Rachel "knew" they were all off!
Her, near, immediate answer was..."You have to wear matching shoes to be balanced!" True enough! ;0) There's an Aspie moment!
As the guessing was continuing on the way to school a caller guessed something to which the DJ's gave a hint...yes, "it has something to do with appearance". That set Rachel's thinking off again. Then she suddenly said: "Well, I guess it has to be having a baby." ....hmmm....hmmm, I cave, "Why is that?"...To which she answers, "Well, you have to have a baby to be 'a parent'."
Enjoy your day. Look for the good!
p.s. The radio "correct" answer was to wear lipstick. Rachel insisted that made No Sense at all!
Today's question was "according to Cosmo...what helps a woman feel more balanced?". The expected answers were being called in: enough sleep, eating right, exercising... But Rachel "knew" they were all off!
Her, near, immediate answer was..."You have to wear matching shoes to be balanced!" True enough! ;0) There's an Aspie moment!
As the guessing was continuing on the way to school a caller guessed something to which the DJ's gave a hint...yes, "it has something to do with appearance". That set Rachel's thinking off again. Then she suddenly said: "Well, I guess it has to be having a baby." ....hmmm....hmmm, I cave, "Why is that?"...To which she answers, "Well, you have to have a baby to be 'a parent'."
Enjoy your day. Look for the good!
p.s. The radio "correct" answer was to wear lipstick. Rachel insisted that made No Sense at all!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
"NO".... What do you mean?
Daily "battles" & confusion with an Aspie....
So... this morning, we are preparing for a wonderful Sunday, of worship and no school, of course! As I am making up my bed, today, I ask Rachel (as I have to do everyday-part of the routine) "Have you folded up your bankets"?
Not a hard or unusual question, you would have to agree. Unless, you are trying to communicate with an Aspie! Rachel answered my question with a loudly yelled "NO"! ....keep calm...keep calm...it's not the answer, but the way she answered. She screamed "NO"!
I found my diplomatic, but frustrated question..."what do you mean, NO?". To which she informed me..."I don't have blankets...I only used ONE blanket."
Oh, the difference one letter can make to an Aspie & those communicating with them. She was not trying to be "ugly", just ACCURATE! Enjoy your Sunday!
So... this morning, we are preparing for a wonderful Sunday, of worship and no school, of course! As I am making up my bed, today, I ask Rachel (as I have to do everyday-part of the routine) "Have you folded up your bankets"?
Not a hard or unusual question, you would have to agree. Unless, you are trying to communicate with an Aspie! Rachel answered my question with a loudly yelled "NO"! ....keep calm...keep calm...it's not the answer, but the way she answered. She screamed "NO"!
I found my diplomatic, but frustrated question..."what do you mean, NO?". To which she informed me..."I don't have blankets...I only used ONE blanket."
Friday, January 28, 2011
Inspiring poetry for families of "Differently-Abled" Children
| Wanted to share with you 2 poems regarding raising our special children. And honestly, ALL children are gifts from God, special & unique in their own ways. Hope this gives you encouragement, as we walk this life, knowing that God is in control!
WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by
Emily Perl Kingsley.
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved
"I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a
disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique
experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like
this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy.
You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful
plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may
learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your
bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess
comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm
supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and
there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,
disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just
a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new
language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have
met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than
Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath,
you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has
windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all
bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of
your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what
I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the
loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to
Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely
things ... about Holland."
The Special Mother
Quoted by Erma Bombeck * not sure of the author
"Did you ever wonder how mothers of disabled children were chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over the earth selecting his instruments of propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"This one gets a daughter. The Patron saint will be Cecelia"
"This one gets twins. The Patron saint will be Matthew"
"This one gets a son. The Patron saint.....give her Gerard. He's used to profanity"
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a disabled child".
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy"
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a disabled child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel!"
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of sorrow and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today, she has that feeling of self and independence that is so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make him live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you"
God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness"
The angel gasps - "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally she won't survive. Yes here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider any 'step' ordinary. When her child says "Momma" for the first time she will be present at a miracle and will know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty and prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side"
"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air.
God smiles "A mirror will suffice"
WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by
Emily Perl Kingsley.
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved
"I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a
disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique
experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like
this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy.
You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful
plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may
learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your
bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess
comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm
supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and
there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,
disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just
a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new
language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have
met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than
Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath,
you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has
windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all
bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of
your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what
I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the
loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to
Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely
things ... about Holland."
The Special Mother
Quoted by Erma Bombeck * not sure of the author
"Did you ever wonder how mothers of disabled children were chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over the earth selecting his instruments of propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"This one gets a daughter. The Patron saint will be Cecelia"
"This one gets twins. The Patron saint will be Matthew"
"This one gets a son. The Patron saint.....give her Gerard. He's used to profanity"
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a disabled child".
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy"
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a disabled child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel!"
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of sorrow and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today, she has that feeling of self and independence that is so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make him live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you"
God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness"
The angel gasps - "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally she won't survive. Yes here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider any 'step' ordinary. When her child says "Momma" for the first time she will be present at a miracle and will know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty and prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side"
"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air.
God smiles "A mirror will suffice"
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Allison is a Disney Character! Really?
So, this afternoon, we made a routine stop at the pharmacy for meds. Rachel has come home the last 2 days early from school, with headaches/seizures.... Just one of those weeks, I guess...
But, as usual, there is always something to make me smile when Rachel is around. We were in our usual position...I was standing, waiting "patiently" for her medications & she was sprawled out in the massage chair at the pharmacy. She finally got her coordination together enough to awkwardly walk to the counter with me, without help.
There was one of those photo card displays by the register. And there was an attractive young blond girl in a blue dress on one of them. Rachel said "I think I know her"....Of course I responded with "Who is she?". She said the girl looked like "Allison". So my mind is racing to all the Allisons I could think of. I asked if it was Allison S. from church...."no". How 'bout my cousin Allison, that is "hanging" on our fridge? "NO!" I have to back out of this guessing game & ask directly who Allison is.
And, silly, silly me was not expecting her "obvious" answer..."She's Allison Wonderland!".
But, as usual, there is always something to make me smile when Rachel is around. We were in our usual position...I was standing, waiting "patiently" for her medications & she was sprawled out in the massage chair at the pharmacy. She finally got her coordination together enough to awkwardly walk to the counter with me, without help.
There was one of those photo card displays by the register. And there was an attractive young blond girl in a blue dress on one of them. Rachel said "I think I know her"....Of course I responded with "Who is she?". She said the girl looked like "Allison". So my mind is racing to all the Allisons I could think of. I asked if it was Allison S. from church...."no". How 'bout my cousin Allison, that is "hanging" on our fridge? "NO!" I have to back out of this guessing game & ask directly who Allison is.
And, silly, silly me was not expecting her "obvious" answer..."She's Allison Wonderland!".
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Obvious (but what is NOT for an Aspie?)
This morning started off in typical form. Getting showers, medications, readying for school...Routines are so important. Even changing the order of Rachel's medication can throw the entire day off! She was excited about turning her 4th grade Social Studies' Project in today.
We got in our car and started to school. We listen to the same morning radio program each day on the way. Our station has a daily "DQ"- "Darned Question".
Rachel always has the obvious answer & today was no exception. Here's the question: "You change your undies everyday, your oil every 3 months, your smoke detector batteries, 2 times a year...What should you change once a year?". Hmmm. There were several guesses, such as your password on your computer... Rachel couldn't believe no one could figure out the clearly obvious answer. Without even a blink, she said: "you change the number of candles on your birthday cake"...then, her eyes got really big as she said: "that is a trick question, because you also should change your calender once a year".
I tried calling in with her answer(s), but fortunately for me, the line was busy. But I did send an e-mail to the morning DJ, Leslye on Magic 107.7, regarding her funny, but true answer. They actually read it on the air & enjoyed her simplistic observation. I wish she had still been in the car to hear it. FYI- the eventual "correct" answer was to change your ATM pin number once a year. (Kind of glad she wasn't in the car to hear that answer, as that would have led to an endless conversation, that would never have been understood.)
Thought, you, too might enjoy a smile with this Rachelism! Have a great weekend!
We got in our car and started to school. We listen to the same morning radio program each day on the way. Our station has a daily "DQ"- "Darned Question".
Rachel always has the obvious answer & today was no exception. Here's the question: "You change your undies everyday, your oil every 3 months, your smoke detector batteries, 2 times a year...What should you change once a year?". Hmmm. There were several guesses, such as your password on your computer... Rachel couldn't believe no one could figure out the clearly obvious answer. Without even a blink, she said: "you change the number of candles on your birthday cake"...then, her eyes got really big as she said: "that is a trick question, because you also should change your calender once a year".
I tried calling in with her answer(s), but fortunately for me, the line was busy. But I did send an e-mail to the morning DJ, Leslye on Magic 107.7, regarding her funny, but true answer. They actually read it on the air & enjoyed her simplistic observation. I wish she had still been in the car to hear it. FYI- the eventual "correct" answer was to change your ATM pin number once a year. (Kind of glad she wasn't in the car to hear that answer, as that would have led to an endless conversation, that would never have been understood.)
Thought, you, too might enjoy a smile with this Rachelism! Have a great weekend!
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