A Friend of Mine…My Dad

Hello Monday!

As you well know if you follow my blog, I have worked very hard this summer trying to get my son, Keith into a day program of some sort.  Well I had just about given up hope when my Dad offered to take
Keith swimming twice a week.  This gives both of us a break from one another which we both really need.  So last week and this week I had added to my schedule training Keith to go swimming.

That probably sounds really funny but anytime Keith goes into a new situation it takes some time to get him into a new routine.  So, of course, mom, that’s me, gets to train Keith into “how we go swimming with Papa”.  First, he had to get back into getting up early, then riding with grandma to her work to be picked up by Papa and then go to this new place he had never been before and so on and so forth.  Every little detail has to be accounted for because if Keith doesn’t feel safe he will never let me fade out and not go along.  Surprisingly enough things went really well with only a few little hiccups along the way.

I think Keith was ready to change his routine because he was bored with being at home all summer long.  So that made this easy to work through.  Yay!  So next week is the trial week.  Keith is going to go with Grandma and Papa will pick him up and go swim and bring Keith home all without me.  I can’t wait!  About 3 hours without Keith.  We have been together all day, everyday since May 30th with the only exception of the hour or so that I go grocery shopping once a week (because Keith doesn’t really like to go to the grocery store).

We both need Keith’s services to get started.  It has been a long summer, but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.  I got a call from Keith’s Social Worker saying she is getting all his paperwork together.  This is good news.  I pray things get started soon.

I have to thank my Dad for helping us…Thanks Dad!

~ Lori

A Friend of Mine…God

Hi,

Did you ever talk with God and say “You have to work this out because I don’t see the way I am supposed to go”, and then an answer just falls in your lap?  Well let me tell you what happened.

A couple of days ago I asked God to give me direction for Keith’s future as all the things that I set up completely fell apart and I didn’t know what to do.  So I asked God to show me what to do.

Then this morning “the coordinator” from a local program that I looked into before Keith graduated, called me out of the blue and said that there is an opening in the program and we may be able to get Keith in, so I called Keith’s social worker.  She said she would call “the coordinator” and talk with her.  I haven’t heard back yet but who knows, this just might be the program for him.  It is a very good program from a great local university and I know Keith would be very successful in this program.  So, I am waiting to see what happens.  Please keep us in prayer.

I believe that everything will work out.  I believe the right program will come to light.  And I believe that Keith will get into the program that will be a perfect fit for him.  I know this with all my being, I just pray that it won’t take much longer.  It’s funny how when I stopped trying to figure it all out and asked for help God made things happen, not that I haven’t asked before but as the saying goes, Timing is everything.

What are you waiting for?  Have you done all you can do?  Has it all fallen apart?  Maybe it’s time to stop trying, and ask for help.  You never know, you just might have the answer fall right into your lap.

Just like these bracelets that Keith made.  Who knew he had such a knack for making jewelry.  He put all of these together by himself except the one on the far right which was his first so I helped him.  Amazing what just “falls into your lap” when the timing is right.  I am so proud of him and his good work.

Bracelets Keith Made to Raise Money for Autism

Bracelets Keith Made to Raise Money for Autism

Have a Great Week!

~ Lori

The Saga of Keith

Hi Everyone,

Well, I have to swallow my pride a little bit here and admit a mistake that I told you.  Last week I said that all funding to special needs individuals was cut.  That is not completely accurate.  All Wavier funding was cut, which of course is where Keith is.  So to Gov. Corbett, I am sorry for exaggerating the funding situation but I still feel that cutting the funding to those who can’t care or provide for themselves is wrong.

So, the good news is that we had a meeting with our Social Worker, J, who is the absolute best support services coordinator in the whole world, in my opinion.  She came to our house during her personal vacation time to fill out paperwork for new funding for Keith through Base Funding which is a different funding stream than Wavier.  We should know by this time next week if Keith has funding or not.

Please pray with me that this goes through so that Keith can go back to work.  I like being with Keith but being together 24/7/365 is too much for both of us.  Thank you.

On another great note, Keith made these two bracelets this week.  Pictures below.  I am waiting on puzzle charms for the bracelets to post them on my Etsy site.  They should be in next week. I am so proud of him for all his good work.  I am going to have to stock up on supplies so Keith has enough to work with. : )    We plan on donating  10% of the proceeds to Support Autism for every item that Keith makes.  If you are interested in knowing more about Autism check out these websites.

The Autism Society – http://www.autism-society.org/

Autism Speaks – http://www.autismspeaks.org/

The Autism Foundation – http://www.thecenterforautism.org/autismfoundation

There is no conclusive evidence for a cause for Autism.  But in this mother’s opinion I believe that there is a genetic factor involved with some sort of predisposition that if all the right factors line up right, bingo, you have autism.  I do believe that there is an ecological or diet related factor as well.  What we do know is that Autism is neurological and often accompanied with Mental Retardation and even seizure disorders, like Keith.  Autism affects multiple areas of the brain’s function two specifically called the amygdala and cerebellum.  They effect emotions/understanding emotions and muscle control including muscles of speech respectively.  There are lots more interesting facts about Autism on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism.

I could go on and on but I won’t take anymore of your valuable time with it today.

Don’t forget the pictures!

Yes, I set up the pattern for this one and put the clasps on, but it was his first one and he completed the pattern and strung it independently. Beautiful!?!

This is Keith’s second bracelet. Yes, I put the clasps on but all I did showed him was one shiny bead then one frosted bead. He did the rest. I’m so Proud!