RELAY

We all participated in Relay For Lift last night. We all walked for the survivors, family members, and those who have lost their lives to the dreaded C word, CANCER. It was the first annual Relay For Life in our community. I am so proud that we participated and are expecting to participate again next year. We all enjoyed the event that consisted of good food, activities, prayer/recognition, and most of all just being able to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors. Matt had the best time of all, he walked for a total of 2 hours!!!! He would start walking w/one partner and before the night was over he had walked with at least 15 different people that he knew. He wore his Kicking Cancer t-shirt proudly. He would call to people who were not walking and tell them to "WALK," and in his own convincing way, he persuaded them to. During the candlelit ceremony of recognition, the names of all those in our community that have lost the fight and survived cancer were read aloud. While the names were being read it was hard to keep Matt quiet. He was trying to tell everyone around that we were walking for all the ones who had died. "We walk for cancer", "Cancer bad", he would say. Matt proved that we should all give our all in everything we do regardless of our circumstances. Matt with his own disability, (however, he does not recognize that he has one) was helping to raise awareness and promote the importance of a disease that disrupts so many lives each day. I am so very proud of him.

King Matt

Matt's big night... Prom 09.

King Matt

Matt looked forward to Prom for weeks. The day of he was sooo excited that he couldn't stand it. All of the other kids welcomed him for the event and helped to look out for him. They truly helped make the night memorable and allowed Matt to have the "Time of His Life". They made him prom king of the event.

Summer '08 Beach Trip

Solomon's first trip to the beach





Jan and
Rob

Matt and Mom

Matt getting ready to hang ten

Today is the beginning of the first day of summer vacation for Matt. He informed me this am with a smile that "It is a beautiful day today". Of course he was right. He appreciates so much that I and others seem to take for granted. In his own little world he actually takes time to notice what the day looks like, what someone is wearing(and lets them known that they look "good"), if someone appears tired, sad or happy. Whereas the majority of us never pay attention to others around us. He is my inspiration today and everyday. He has sooo much to offer but right now is unable to. I began looking into my options for him months before he completed high school. To no avail I have not been fortunate to find anything in my area, or any other parents with children who have autism. I know that they exsist, I am just having trouble finding them. That was my main purpose for starting this blog. In my community and state I am discovering that there isn't many programs if any for autistic young adults. I have made calls to the special education dept for my school district, the major university in the area, and to vocational rehab, but nothing has "panned out". I was even told by one facility that children with autisim and mental disabilities usually just stay home after they complete school. That really infuriated me as well as saddened me. That is not an option for Matt. I will continue to search until I find something for him to help furhter is interaction with others and expand his learning capabilities. "What do others like Matt do?" I asked myself. If there is anyone out there in the state of Mississippi or surrounding states that have any suggestions or ideas please let me know. Like I said Matt and others with autism have so much to offer and have so much to teach the rest of us.

Ceremonies Friday night left something to be said. Proceedings were to take promptly at 7pm on the football field. Skies were very ominous and gray. It had been raining in the surrounding towns all day. However, no rain to be recorded in the town set for graduation. I had been praying all day for the rain to hold off so that all the family and friends that had planned on coming could enjoy the festivities. My husband had left work early and was going to be able to be there on time. Many family and friends gathered. Seats were chosen and cameras were ready. Clouds were still looming and the wind had picked up, but everything was still on schedule. Matt was in his graduation robe and was awaiting with his class members to enter and walk onto the field. Pomp and Circumstance began to play and everyone in the stands arose while the graduate procession entered. Everything was moving along smoothly. The superintendent, principal and the val/salutatorian gave their speeches. We were graced with a song by two students from the senior class. Matt was waving at the crowd from time to time and of course always smiling. Thank you Lord, we are going to get through w/o any bad weather. Matt and the others lined up to be announced and proceed to accept their diplomas. "Oh my gosh!!, what was that?" Thunder and wind and before I or anyone else could blink an eye it was POURING RAIN!!!!!
I mean sheets of rain and the wind was blowing so we ended up with "sideways rain". The principle started calling out the students names to come forward and receive their diplomas. I think he thought he might somehow be able to rush it and be able to hand all of them out before anyone got wet or decided to leave. OH NO!!!!
The stands were being emptied as fast as they were filled. Umbrellas were turned inside out due to the rain. In less than 2 minutes my clothes along with everyone else were SOAKED. I headed to the 50yard line, with my heels sinking into the ground that had already begun to saturate w/water. Matt walked forward and received his certificate and I got one, yes one photo of my sweet boy as he walked and then began to run to get out of the rain. One other student was able to receive his diploma before the principle finally decided that the ceremony could not continue due to possible drowning from the rain. Everyone headed for "higher ground" so to speak. The senior class received their diplomas in the field house before reuniting with their families to return home or at least out of the downpour. I was sooo disappointed. I had waited soooo long for this day and through many trials Matt had completed his 12yrs of school. I felt robbed. And what about the other families and students. They too had been waiting on this day for a long time, only to receive their diplomas in the field house with no family present to see this special moment. Myself and others left Friday evening feeling dismayed.
Much later that night after much thought and questions I realized that God had answered my prayers. Why I don't know. All of Matt's family and friends were able to attend. My husband made it on time. Matt was able to walk and receive his certificate and I was able to get my picture of him receiving it before the flood. I had NOTHING to complain about.
God works in mysterious ways indeed, and we will never understand why some things happen the way they do. I don't understand why the ceremonies were not held inside due to the weather forcast, or why Matt was one to receive his diploma before the activites were called off. In time it may be made known to me.
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart;don not depend on your own understanding."

CONGRATULATION MATT!!!!

Graduation ceremonies begin @ 7pm. I am sooo very proud of you!!!!! You are my sweet boy!!!

New at this blog thing. Just getting started. Decided to start one because there are so many autistic children out there and will unfortunately be more in the years to come according to projected statistics. In the area of the country where I live I have not been able to connect with many families that have an autistic child. Not sure why that is but hope to through this site.
A little about this site. It is named after my son, who was diagnosed when he was 5 years old. Only after numerous attempts to figure out what was wrong, so to speak. For many years after his diagnosis I wondered what had I done wrong during pregnancy, what do I do now, where do I turn, along with numerous other questions. In the early '90's autism was not heard of as much as it is today. I did not have may options for support. Matt's father and I divorced soon after Matt was 3. I found through the years that God and my son were my support. Matt's smile was beyond belief, and unlike some autistic children he was a very content child. Through many struggles and hardships Matt was learning and so was I. I completed nursing school twice..(LPN & RN) and Matt was right there with me. Over the years he and God have helped me to resolve feelings of guilt and inadequatecy as a parent. I have recently remarried to a wonderful man who is a tremendous help to and with Matt.
Today Matt is receiving his certificate (a little different from a diploma) for completeing high school. Graduation ceremonies are tonight. Over the last several months my husband and I, along with Matt have been trying to look into options for Matt after completion of school. Sadly enough in our area there are not many options or services available. Again Matt and I have an obstacle to overcome. Out of wondering what will Matt and other children/young adults do if they are not capable of entering the workforce or furthering their education through college I decided to start this site to let parents of autisic children know that they are not alone and to allow them to contact us and voice their concerns and stories. I hope that my vision and Matt's smile will give hope to something that can be helpful.
Please keep in mind that I am new to this whole adventure esp the blogging and blog page. Hope to add more to the site, as time goes on.