When Melissa brought the Smart Start Basketball camp to my attention I was all for it. Basketball has always been a love of mine. I can remember playing from sunrise to sunset as a young boy and to share this with my son would be great. The night before I started thinking about all the things that might happen, I was starting to think it might be better if Brycen and I didn't go.
My biggest fear was having everyone stare and talk about us. I was afraid they might say things like "How come He can't control his son" or "That boy isn't right". As I started contemplating this I then realized was I trying to protect Brycen or myself?
I came to the conclusion that I have to let go. Brycen is my son why should I care if people stare or talk. I'm not protecting him any if I'm not giving him chances to succeed.
After going a few times and watching how happy Brycen is running around having his Daddy chase him.The fact is I MUST LET GO and allow Brycen every opportunity that every kid has regardless what others think or what my fears might be.
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
Helen Keller
Monday, January 18, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Autism and Our Family
"Autism"----It's one word that can change the life of a child and family in so many ways. Autism Spectrum Disorders are being diagnosed at a rate of 1 in 68 children currently. If you do not already know someone that has been diagnosed, the statistics say it won't be long before you do.
Our son developed typically until around the time he turned 2 years old. We heard words...we saw him play with other kids...we watched as he played with his toys appropriately...we made eye contact with him...overall we understood his wants and needs. In a matter of a few months, that was all taken away from him. He began lining up toys, lost all of his words and signs except for one word "ball", ignored other kids, could not sleep through the night, lost eye contact and the ability to follow directions, and he had no way of letting us know what he wanted or how he felt. It was heartbreaking to see something happening to our child that we couldn't stop!
Brycen began receiving home therapy 1-2 times per month for about 6 months before we realized it wasn't just developmental delays. We knew it was Autism...we just didn't want to say it outloud to anyone. He was officially diagnosed with Autism (classic form and regressive), as well as Mental Retardation in August 2009 by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
We continue to learn as we make our way through this journey with Brycen and we will continue to share this journey with you on this blog! The blog has been a great therapy for us to be able to vent our frustrations and struggles with accepting that we have a child with special needs, while sharing how blessed we are to have a child teach us what life truly means. It has also been a great way to inform others of his progress and changes over the last couple of years.
Thank you for your support of Brycen and our family! We hope you are able to learn something through this blog no matter if you are a parent of a child with special needs or a neurotypical child, a teacher or therapist, a family member, or just someone that is interested in the journey that a family goes on as they learn their child is battling a life-long disorder.
Our son developed typically until around the time he turned 2 years old. We heard words...we saw him play with other kids...we watched as he played with his toys appropriately...we made eye contact with him...overall we understood his wants and needs. In a matter of a few months, that was all taken away from him. He began lining up toys, lost all of his words and signs except for one word "ball", ignored other kids, could not sleep through the night, lost eye contact and the ability to follow directions, and he had no way of letting us know what he wanted or how he felt. It was heartbreaking to see something happening to our child that we couldn't stop!
Brycen began receiving home therapy 1-2 times per month for about 6 months before we realized it wasn't just developmental delays. We knew it was Autism...we just didn't want to say it outloud to anyone. He was officially diagnosed with Autism (classic form and regressive), as well as Mental Retardation in August 2009 by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
We continue to learn as we make our way through this journey with Brycen and we will continue to share this journey with you on this blog! The blog has been a great therapy for us to be able to vent our frustrations and struggles with accepting that we have a child with special needs, while sharing how blessed we are to have a child teach us what life truly means. It has also been a great way to inform others of his progress and changes over the last couple of years.
Thank you for your support of Brycen and our family! We hope you are able to learn something through this blog no matter if you are a parent of a child with special needs or a neurotypical child, a teacher or therapist, a family member, or just someone that is interested in the journey that a family goes on as they learn their child is battling a life-long disorder.
Thanks for sharing your feelings Mike! I totally agree with you. Who cares what others think. We just know that we're all doing whats best for Brycen and that's all that matters. Just seeing the big smile on his face when he loves something is all that I need. Brycen has come such a long ways already since he was diagnosed last year. We have to cherish these special moments with him. I know I do! We all need to let go and let God help us through the bad times and the good times. God loves you all and so do I. Hold you heads high Mike and Melissa. We are always here for you and Brycen and Aubree.
ReplyDeleteLove it - a daddy's heart - you are so right Mike!
ReplyDeleteAngie
I just love that both of you contribute to this blog!
ReplyDelete