The Fine Line Between Acceptance and Denial

I am sure I have been accused of being in both acceptance and denial....as have many of you at times in your journey with autism.  It is very easy to judge each other as we parents chat about our children who are all so different; along with the situations that we face in schools, at home, in stores, restaurants, and churches.  It seems we can't win for losing.  You see, if we accept our child's limitations it seems as though we've thrown our hands in the air and given up.  If we don't take no for an answer then we are in denial that our child has "limitations."  There is a fine line between the two and unfortunately that makes for much controversy and judgment even within our own community.  How do we find the balance of knowing and doing what is best for our children but not wearing the blinders of denial? 

Help Give Jo a Voice

 
Joselyn Johns is a spunky little 5 year old girl who is non verbal.  Her mom works very hard to give Jo everything she needs.  Being a single parent of a child with special needs is especially demanding and financially difficult.  I am hoping to pull together for this little girl and raise enough money so that we can get her an iPad so that she can use it to communicate her needs and wants.  I know that times are tough, and maybe many of you have recently donated to efforts in Japan or elsewhere.  Even if it's $2.00, every bit helps.  Click the link below to help give Jo a voice!  If you do not have a paypal account or credit card, but would like to make a donation, email me at kldett@roadrunner.com.

Normal

So as I look at people's pictures that they upload to facebook, I would be lying if I said I wasn't envious.  Yes, it is one of the deadly sins.....and maybe envious isn't the right word, but I'm not sure what is.  I see the pictures of birthday parties and play dates and I want it.  I want it more than you could ever know.  I just want our lives to to be normal.  Now, I realize that even though the pictures look nice and everyone is having fun...it doesn't mean that all is well and that their life is "normal."  What IS normal anyway, right?  I am very thankful for what God has given me, and I love my family very much.  But I so badly want to go to the grocery store without fear of a meltdown.  I want to hear my children argue...yes....that is normal....right?  I want to get in the car on a whim without thinking about whether he my son can handle it.  I want to go to restaurants and let him order off of the kiddie menu.  THAT is what I mean when I say I want normal.  I realize my life may never be that way, but a girl can dream can't she?

RESULTS!

So happy to thank all that donated to Tammy's bathroom fund!  I know she is so very thankful and promises to send us pics!  We raised $1050 in less than a week!  So happy for you Tammy!

HELP A FELLOW PARENT! TAMMY McNAIR!

For those of you that know Tammy, she had entered a contest to have her bathroom remodeled that was in great disrepair. We were sorry to see that she did not win, but want to help her. Click the link below and donate any amount to help her out! That's how we autism parents roll!


Her entry:
Posting this picture was is very embarassing. :0( Short bio is as follows....We moved here in 2005 as Hurricane Katrina survivors. Four short months later my youngest was diagnosed with Autism.
To say finances are tight would be putting it mildly. Most all "extra" money goes into special foods and supplements. And as my son is showing signs of improvement, it is worth every penny. That being said, there is never money left over for house repairs. And if any room in my home needed repaired, it would be this bathroom! The tub has been scrubbed and is stained. The tub surround is crumbling and mildewed. I am not even sure what it is made of. The faucets leak and I can not get to the washers as the faucets are so old. I wish I could have posted more pictures to show different angles. (not only does it look bad but my youngest is allergic to mold and this room causes him to go into sneezing fits.)
The bathroom is small. The tub you see takes up half the room.


PLEASE SPECIFY IN YOUR DONATION THAT IT iS FOR TAMMY!