Monday, October 29, 2012
discouraged
Feeling discouraged and helpless today!!!! it has been over a year now and we are still looking for Matthew something to occupy his time. we have completed working w/vocational rehab and have hit a dead end as far as any other programs for him or any job opprotunities. i don't know where to go from here at this point. i am disappointed in myself, my community, and my state at this point. there is just no services available in mississippi. i continue to pray for encouragement and on opportunity to arise so that Matthew can continue his learning and social interactions. so far we are still at a standstill. the university where i live has been of no help, the vocational rehab center in my community has also been of no help. all i hear is "i am sorry", "there is just nothing in our area". where do i go from here!!!
Friday, February 26, 2010
How long has it been???????
Friday, February 26, 2010
How long has it been???
It has been ages since my last entry.... We have been soooo busy.... the time just seems to get by without you realizing. Its true what older adults say that time does really fly the older we get. Each day should be cherished and welcomed with whatever comes along with it.
The last time I blogged we were attempting to get Matthew into a vocational rehab training program. The Lord has blessed us. We found a program and Matt has been enrolled since January. He is attending a work program with a "job coach" that helps him with tasks, understanding directions and observes what some of his capabilities are. He attends three days a week and returns to school the other days. This is part of his "transition" into the world of adulthood and responsibilities. So far he has been doing well and hopefully by May he can transition from school/training into a part time job in our community. He has been very excited about the new experience. At first he was a little unsure about the whole new concept of being away from his school and the people that he was accustomed to being around. As you may remember, Matt graduated last year but he was allowed to return to school to work this year on transitioning from his usual surroundings at school into the next phase of entering society and adulthood.
After he attended voc rehab for about a week he seemed more at ease and even was excited about going. He and his job coach have been working with office related tasks, cleaning and putting together small parts. He is paid minimum wage for what he is doing in training and my husband and I are attempting to teach him how to sign his name to his check, and go to the bank. That part is a slow process but we will accomplish that in due time. Matt has come such a long way in his growing up process. I remember being told that he would never be able to carry out daily tasks such as getting dressed or bathing himself. We have come along way baby!!!!!!!!
God has blessed me with a wonderful young man that has touched my life and everyone that he has come in contact with using his determination and his joy for life. Each day we offer a prayer of praise.
To others struggling with discouragement or doubt about your children with disabilities I encourage you to never give up. Each day is a new experience that can be used to some advantage whether it be for social skills, opportunities to learn even the smallest of things. These special children are capable of picking up so much that we are not aware of and they see things that we in our busy world often miss. I truly believe that we are not here to teach them but they are here to teach us.
Posted by nursemyersRN at 9:41 AM 0 comments
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How long has it been???
It has been ages since my last entry.... We have been soooo busy.... the time just seems to get by without you realizing. Its true what older adults say that time does really fly the older we get. Each day should be cherished and welcomed with whatever comes along with it.
The last time I blogged we were attempting to get Matthew into a vocational rehab training program. The Lord has blessed us. We found a program and Matt has been enrolled since January. He is attending a work program with a "job coach" that helps him with tasks, understanding directions and observes what some of his capabilities are. He attends three days a week and returns to school the other days. This is part of his "transition" into the world of adulthood and responsibilities. So far he has been doing well and hopefully by May he can transition from school/training into a part time job in our community. He has been very excited about the new experience. At first he was a little unsure about the whole new concept of being away from his school and the people that he was accustomed to being around. As you may remember, Matt graduated last year but he was allowed to return to school to work this year on transitioning from his usual surroundings at school into the next phase of entering society and adulthood.
After he attended voc rehab for about a week he seemed more at ease and even was excited about going. He and his job coach have been working with office related tasks, cleaning and putting together small parts. He is paid minimum wage for what he is doing in training and my husband and I are attempting to teach him how to sign his name to his check, and go to the bank. That part is a slow process but we will accomplish that in due time. Matt has come such a long way in his growing up process. I remember being told that he would never be able to carry out daily tasks such as getting dressed or bathing himself. We have come along way baby!!!!!!!!
God has blessed me with a wonderful young man that has touched my life and everyone that he has come in contact with using his determination and his joy for life. Each day we offer a prayer of praise.
To others struggling with discouragement or doubt about your children with disabilities I encourage you to never give up. Each day is a new experience that can be used to some advantage whether it be for social skills, opportunities to learn even the smallest of things. These special children are capable of picking up so much that we are not aware of and they see things that we in our busy world often miss. I truly believe that we are not here to teach them but they are here to teach us.
Posted by nursemyersRN at 9:41 AM 0 comments
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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Hello!!!!!
Sorry I haven't posted in a long while. We have been busy, with me working nights and Matt doing vocational rehab it has been quiet hectic. In the last month I have taken Matt to visit his physician for his yearly check up and discovered that his blood pressure is elevated. That day in the doctor's office I thought it was elevated because he was apprehensive about seeing the physician. As an ICU nurse I have seen elevated blood pressures that were danger level compared to Matt's so I tried not to worry. Our physician instructed me to check it daily for about two weeks and let him know how if was doing, especially if it remained elevated. So for the past week we have been checking it religously and it has been elevated. 140's-160's systolically, 90's-100 diastolically. Now after a week of running that high I have started to worry and wonder what could be causing this increase, and I have come up with nothing. So the only logical thing to try would be to start him on a low sodium diet and cut back on his caffiene intake.
Matt started the low sodium diet Monday and two days into it has been doing well. He has been eating fresh fruits(can't get him to eat the veggies), drinking water and sprite(no caffiene) and has decreased his amount of fried and salted foods.
I am hoping that this will do the job. I hate to think of him having to take bp medicaton at such a young age. I have never experienced hypertension with anyone his age before. I know that persons in their teens and twenties can have issues but it is usually related to heredity(family members w/bp problems at a young age, or some type of medical condition.
We are hopeful that the diet will decrease his pressure. He is already taking medication for with his autism and hate to start him on anymore meds unless it is necessary.
If there is anyone out there that has a child(young adult) with hypertension please leave me a comment and let me know what is working for you.
Oh and did I mention that since Matt has gone low sodium so has yours truly. Can't expect him to do it if I can't set and example.
Here are some of Matt's favorite low fat foods
Sweet potatos
banana
yogurt
baked Cheetos
grilled chicken
To anyone else that may be on a low salt diet good luck and remember low salt =140mg or less per serving of sodium.
Sorry I haven't posted in a long while. We have been busy, with me working nights and Matt doing vocational rehab it has been quiet hectic. In the last month I have taken Matt to visit his physician for his yearly check up and discovered that his blood pressure is elevated. That day in the doctor's office I thought it was elevated because he was apprehensive about seeing the physician. As an ICU nurse I have seen elevated blood pressures that were danger level compared to Matt's so I tried not to worry. Our physician instructed me to check it daily for about two weeks and let him know how if was doing, especially if it remained elevated. So for the past week we have been checking it religously and it has been elevated. 140's-160's systolically, 90's-100 diastolically. Now after a week of running that high I have started to worry and wonder what could be causing this increase, and I have come up with nothing. So the only logical thing to try would be to start him on a low sodium diet and cut back on his caffiene intake.
Matt started the low sodium diet Monday and two days into it has been doing well. He has been eating fresh fruits(can't get him to eat the veggies), drinking water and sprite(no caffiene) and has decreased his amount of fried and salted foods.
I am hoping that this will do the job. I hate to think of him having to take bp medicaton at such a young age. I have never experienced hypertension with anyone his age before. I know that persons in their teens and twenties can have issues but it is usually related to heredity(family members w/bp problems at a young age, or some type of medical condition.
We are hopeful that the diet will decrease his pressure. He is already taking medication for with his autism and hate to start him on anymore meds unless it is necessary.
If there is anyone out there that has a child(young adult) with hypertension please leave me a comment and let me know what is working for you.
Oh and did I mention that since Matt has gone low sodium so has yours truly. Can't expect him to do it if I can't set and example.
Here are some of Matt's favorite low fat foods
Sweet potatos
banana
yogurt
baked Cheetos
grilled chicken
To anyone else that may be on a low salt diet good luck and remember low salt =140mg or less per serving of sodium.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
I have been on the net this morning viewing teaching options and programs for children with autism. I have decided that the prices that are being charged for the programs/packages are expensive. What are families to do that cant' afford the programs. A large majority of parents with autism are one income families and the children are at times home schooled. Each ad i saw states that our program is the best... our package is the one to use and it works. If you want my opinion and I am sure my opinion does not count for much...Keep your money and use things around your home.
When Matt was little there were no teaching programs to aid with autistic children, if there were we weren't aware and definitely couldn't afford them. I used things around the kitchen, on tv, outside, magazines, anything I could get my hands on.
I remember being in the kitchen and using cans out of the pantry to show Matt pictures of what was on the label and encouraging him to say the words. The best part for him was that he got to pull all of the cans and packages out of the cabinets. He loved it. It was really hands on. We would use magazines and look at pictures and cut them out and paste to construction paper. He loved going outside and touching different things...grass, leaves, flowers anything that he could visualize and touch could be put with words as long as he could relate the word with the experience. Then came the music. Any learning program for children with songs was always on at our house. I hate to say it but Barney the purple dinosaur was one of his favorites and it encouraged him to want to sing along with the show. As the years went by other shows, (Blues Clues, Dora, and Sesame Street) would hold his attention and I would try to help point out colors, words, or objects that he would see on the show and again he would relate to them because he could sing them or associate them with the show. As he got older "country" music has become his love. I am not sure what I can relate to him from that music butI can say that it brings him much enjoyment. Not so much for me because like most teens he likes it LOUD. Encourage your children to participate in daily activities around the house. We would make the beds and play "tent time". This encouraged making the bed and it gave Matt a sense of helping do something which in turn gave him a sense of responsibility and pride.
Now that he is older I have had to incorporate new things for him that hopefully will help him out in the world. I allow him to pay for items at the store, help find items on the shelves, find sizes of clothes by identifying with S,M,L. Some of these "learning programs" may sound corny but I have found that they have worked for us over the years and have saved me a lot of money.
I hope that other parents and teachers for that matter can also use everyday experiences to help teach and identify autistic children's likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses in order to help better aid these children with language skills, social skills, and with the run of the mill activities of daily living that we all must take part in.
When Matt was little there were no teaching programs to aid with autistic children, if there were we weren't aware and definitely couldn't afford them. I used things around the kitchen, on tv, outside, magazines, anything I could get my hands on.
I remember being in the kitchen and using cans out of the pantry to show Matt pictures of what was on the label and encouraging him to say the words. The best part for him was that he got to pull all of the cans and packages out of the cabinets. He loved it. It was really hands on. We would use magazines and look at pictures and cut them out and paste to construction paper. He loved going outside and touching different things...grass, leaves, flowers anything that he could visualize and touch could be put with words as long as he could relate the word with the experience. Then came the music. Any learning program for children with songs was always on at our house. I hate to say it but Barney the purple dinosaur was one of his favorites and it encouraged him to want to sing along with the show. As the years went by other shows, (Blues Clues, Dora, and Sesame Street) would hold his attention and I would try to help point out colors, words, or objects that he would see on the show and again he would relate to them because he could sing them or associate them with the show. As he got older "country" music has become his love. I am not sure what I can relate to him from that music butI can say that it brings him much enjoyment. Not so much for me because like most teens he likes it LOUD. Encourage your children to participate in daily activities around the house. We would make the beds and play "tent time". This encouraged making the bed and it gave Matt a sense of helping do something which in turn gave him a sense of responsibility and pride.
Now that he is older I have had to incorporate new things for him that hopefully will help him out in the world. I allow him to pay for items at the store, help find items on the shelves, find sizes of clothes by identifying with S,M,L. Some of these "learning programs" may sound corny but I have found that they have worked for us over the years and have saved me a lot of money.
I hope that other parents and teachers for that matter can also use everyday experiences to help teach and identify autistic children's likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses in order to help better aid these children with language skills, social skills, and with the run of the mill activities of daily living that we all must take part in.
Friday, September 4, 2009
I have come across some very disturbing literature today and feel as though I must share it.
While looking up articles to post on my twitter page I came across one related to treatment of autism, and like most I assumed that it was related to diet or probiotics or the usual treatments that have already made their way to many families. However this was not the case. After reading this I was very troubled and found it hard to believe what extremes families would go to in order to "cure" autism.
The article was about the drug Lupron and the belief that this drug can rid persons with autism of their symptoms. I also came across a physician that has been trying the treatment on patients in his clinic. For those of you who are not familiar with Lupron, let me give you a little background on the medication.
Lupron is a gonadrotropin releasing hormone analog, which modifies the release of pituitary FSH and LH hormones. Now in english this means.... FSH(follicle stimulating hormone) and LH(lutenizing hormone) are related to puberty by causing the females eggs to be released and secondary sex characteristics(facial/body hair, etc) to become present. A 2005 study suggested that Lupron can be used as tx for autism due to the belief that mercury causes autism and that mercury binds to testoserone. By giving Lupron testosterone levels can be lowered thus improving symptoms of the disorder. This has not been proven!!!! Let me repeat.... THIS HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN!!!!! Lupron has been suggested as a treatment to reduce sexual urges of pedophiles!!!
I would much rather try the drug out on the pedophiles than children with autism.
I know that their are many parents/families that will do or try anything to help their children but please be advised that their are many claims out there that can "cure". Always, always look into something and do not take a physicians word or anyone else's when it comes to your child's health.
So many people want to "fix" what is wrong and never stop to think of the impact it can have. That is one of the reason's I promote parents to love and build on the abilities of their autistic children rather than to "cure" them.
I know that many families believe differently than myself and that is their right but I do urge them to not jump into the fire without seeing how hot it is.
While looking up articles to post on my twitter page I came across one related to treatment of autism, and like most I assumed that it was related to diet or probiotics or the usual treatments that have already made their way to many families. However this was not the case. After reading this I was very troubled and found it hard to believe what extremes families would go to in order to "cure" autism.
The article was about the drug Lupron and the belief that this drug can rid persons with autism of their symptoms. I also came across a physician that has been trying the treatment on patients in his clinic. For those of you who are not familiar with Lupron, let me give you a little background on the medication.
Lupron is a gonadrotropin releasing hormone analog, which modifies the release of pituitary FSH and LH hormones. Now in english this means.... FSH(follicle stimulating hormone) and LH(lutenizing hormone) are related to puberty by causing the females eggs to be released and secondary sex characteristics(facial/body hair, etc) to become present. A 2005 study suggested that Lupron can be used as tx for autism due to the belief that mercury causes autism and that mercury binds to testoserone. By giving Lupron testosterone levels can be lowered thus improving symptoms of the disorder. This has not been proven!!!! Let me repeat.... THIS HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN!!!!! Lupron has been suggested as a treatment to reduce sexual urges of pedophiles!!!
I would much rather try the drug out on the pedophiles than children with autism.
I know that their are many parents/families that will do or try anything to help their children but please be advised that their are many claims out there that can "cure". Always, always look into something and do not take a physicians word or anyone else's when it comes to your child's health.
So many people want to "fix" what is wrong and never stop to think of the impact it can have. That is one of the reason's I promote parents to love and build on the abilities of their autistic children rather than to "cure" them.
I know that many families believe differently than myself and that is their right but I do urge them to not jump into the fire without seeing how hot it is.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Hello All,
What a day. Matt and I have been cutting the lawn. He is such an enormous help to me. His vocational rehab is going well at this point. He has been working the concession stand at the local high school each day. He does require help with making change and has supervision but non the less he is participating and enjoying it to the fullest. I myself have been posting blog sites and web sites, along with news for families to read and further research on twitter for the last several weeks. I am really enjoying reading the articles and posting them; hoping that they may somehow help others with autistic children and young adults as well as parents.
Matt has been such an inspiration for this endeavor we have started together. He and I want others to know that autistic children can overcome (not cure) their disabilities by using the talents that each have to help others and to inspire.
We hope that our page will show how we celebrate Matt's abilities and not focus on his disabilities and through this encourage others to do the same.
What a day. Matt and I have been cutting the lawn. He is such an enormous help to me. His vocational rehab is going well at this point. He has been working the concession stand at the local high school each day. He does require help with making change and has supervision but non the less he is participating and enjoying it to the fullest. I myself have been posting blog sites and web sites, along with news for families to read and further research on twitter for the last several weeks. I am really enjoying reading the articles and posting them; hoping that they may somehow help others with autistic children and young adults as well as parents.
Matt has been such an inspiration for this endeavor we have started together. He and I want others to know that autistic children can overcome (not cure) their disabilities by using the talents that each have to help others and to inspire.
We hope that our page will show how we celebrate Matt's abilities and not focus on his disabilities and through this encourage others to do the same.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Has been awhile since I have posted an update, but don't know if it really matters. I am feeling a little discouraged again with the blog page. I am beginning to wonder if I should just call it quits with the page. I started it to meet other families with autistic children, and share stories of Matt. I have shared stories, but not received any feedback. Haven't met any families through the page either. Maybe there is something else Matt and I are suppose to do. I know that God blessed me with Matt for a very good reason. He touches so many people in a positive way. I thought that the page would be a way for him to continue to reach others, but am not so sure that this is what God had in mind of us to inspire others. Just trying to determine where to go from here at the present time.
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