ANOTHER Adventure in Autism (4/15) A Taste of What's to Come...

[whgrn]

Tricia made a nice friend, a girl on "the spectrum" (very high-functioning) who was so excited, she came up to me and said, "I'm so glad you brought Tricia. You know, I'm autistic, but it's nice to talk with someone whose on my level, socially!" :goodvibes :hug: Oh, it was so sweet!

(Now, if those same words came out of a typical teen girl's mouth, they would sound very snobby!) It can be tough on the ASD kids who posess good social and verbal skills... :confused3 they can't really fit in with the typical kids, and they don't want to fit in with the very developmentally challenged kids.

As if being a teenager wasn't hard enough already!



That is SO true! My DD isn't on the spectrum, but she is very similar in alot of ways. And she is much more social than alot of kids at her level, but still well below "normal". So it's not easy finding a place where she fits in. That's where the Special Olympics has been a godsend. Only problem is, the kids she relates to are mostly older teens, and her closest friend there just turned 24--and HE makes me a bit nervous!! (DD is 13)

[wvdislover]

Unfortunately, we don't have any special ed. schools here :sad2: That's one reason I am homeschooling Sarah. She would have been in middle school this year :scared1: and I had many people tell me our middle school is the LAST place I would want to send her. In fact, the principal at our elementary school recently told a friend of mine that there really wasn't a good middle school in our whole county :sad2:

[whgrn]

Unfortunately, we don't have any special ed. schools here :sad2: That's one reason I am homeschooling Sarah. She would have been in middle school this year :scared1: and I had many people tell me our middle school is the LAST place I would want to send her. In fact, the principal at our elementary school recently told a friend of mine that there really wasn't a good middle school in our whole county :sad2:

That really is sad. We are blessed to have the BEST middle school! Our district is among the best in the state, our school is the best in the district, and our Special Ed program is so good that people actually move into our town so their kids can be in it! REALLY!!! It was pretty good in Elementary School, but it is AWESOME in Middle School. I am sooooo thankful. I could NEVER homeschool--I absolutely do not have the patience for it. My hat is off to those of you who can!

[blue_river]

Hi Kathy! I'm behind again as usual but will catch up this evening. Can't believe you're almost finished this baby :hug:

[wvdislover]

That really is sad. We are blessed to have the BEST middle school! Our district is among the best in the state, our school is the best in the district, and our Special Ed program is so good that people actually move into our town so their kids can be in it! REALLY!!! It was pretty good in Elementary School, but it is AWESOME in Middle School. I am sooooo thankful. I could NEVER homeschool--I absolutely do not have the patience for it. My hat is off to those of you who can!

You know, you do the things you have to do for your kids. My fear was that if I didn't do it, there would come a day when I wouldn't have a daughter anymore :sad2: She became suicidal in 3rd grade, telling me she wished she could die, and even said how she wished it would happen. In 5th grade, she began making threats against other kids (we hoped they were only threats, but you never know what your child can do when pushed hard enough by their peers), so I was concerned I may have the next Columbine shooter on my hands (no flames, please, this was a true concern). Since bringing her home, Sarah is a much happier little girl. She still has issues at times, and always will, probably, but things are going so much better. I feel blessed that I am able to homeschool her, and it has actually improved our relationship. :goodvibes I just wish we could find her some friends who live nearby (she has a few at dance class, but they live about 30 minutes away).

I'm so glad you have found such an awesome school for your daughter! For us, though, the homeschooling thing is working pretty well, and we'll stick with it. Besides, it makes it a whole lot easier to go to WDW in Sept for free dining!!! :cool1:

[KathyRN137]

Hi Kathy! I'm behind again as usual but will catch up this evening. Can't believe you're almost finished this baby :hug:

Whaddya mean, almost??!! :lmao:

[KathyRN137]

You know, you do the things you have to do for your kids.



:grouphug:


Kathy

[wvdislover]

Thanks, Kathy! Here's hugs back to you, and to all the other "special" parents out there! :grouphug:

[blue_river]

It really is over! A happy and sad moment at the same time :goodvibes

Kathy you are an amazing writer and I like the way you added the highs & lows at the end of your trip report!

I was not aware that you went on another trip in April 08 and I look forward to reading all about it. Hope this time you had more highs than lows :hug:


Pixiedust to you and your family


pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:


Psst.....Did I tell you that DH bought me a dog for my bday last year and I named her "Pixie"? :goodvibes

[KathyRN137]

Psst.....Did I tell you that DH bought me a dog for my bday last year and I named her "Pixie"? :goodvibes


That's great!! :dogdance:


Kathy

[maroo]

It really is over! A happy and sad moment at the same time :goodvibes

Kathy you are an amazing writer and I like the way you added the highs & lows at the end of your trip report!

I was not aware that you went on another trip in April 08 and I look forward to reading all about it. Hope this time you had more highs than lows :hug:


Pixiedust to you and your family


pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:


Psst.....Did I tell you that DH bought me a dog for my bday last year and I named her "Pixie"? :goodvibes

My next Yorkie...will so be named Pixie!!! :)

[blue_river]

That's great!! :dogdance:


Kathy

She's adorable - I'll post a picture here tonight :goodvibes

My next Yorkie...will so be named Pixie!!! :)

Good choice :thumbsup2

Our Pixie is a Maltese and our first little dog! We've always owned Collies and find her to be a real lil' gem. I love her to pieces.

We're also getting a new Collie next week and we're naming him.....drumroll please..........

Cap'n Jack of the Mississippi!!!!! We're so excited to get him :yay:

[mousescrapper]

Some Final Thoughts



You cannot plan your way to a perfect Disney Trip in the same way you cannot plan your way to a perfect Life. Plans have their usefulness, but in the end, it really is all about Faith, Trust, and Pixiedust.


…When our Dis-Friends are having a difficult time and need encouragement, we send them pixiedust. pixiedust:

…When they are hoping for good news, we send them pixiedust. pixiedust:

…When they are preparing to finally embark upon a much-anticipated trip to the World, we send them a whole lot of pixiedust! pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:


Pixiedust has come to represent all that is magic in the world: Friendship, Goodness, Kindness, and Love… the things that make all of us able to fly!! It is the stuff that Walt Disney World was built with and what makes us want to return again and again.



Thanks Kathy...

sorry I missed out on the end-end of this report...it was hanging w/ you on this trip from the start all the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyto the finish some 2 years later JK

we (I) love you here on the DIS becuase of who you and your wonderful honesty. Looking forward to when not just our eyes meet our words but our faces.

thanks for the magic

Jules (scrappie)

[KathyRN137]

Our Pixie is a Maltese and our first little dog! We've always owned Collies and find her to be a real lil' gem. I love her to pieces.

We're also getting a new Collie next week and we're naming him.....drumroll please..........

Cap'n Jack of the Mississippi!!!!! We're so excited to get him :yay:


Wow, blue, you're really going to the dogs!! :laughing:

(Congratulations!)


Kathy

[KathyRN137]

we (I) love you here on the DIS becuase of who you and your wonderful honesty. Looking forward to when not just our eyes meet our words but our faces.

Jules (scrappie)


Aww, that is so sweet!! I hope we do someday get to plan our imaginary girls trip!! (We'd better get bigger suitcases... I understand there will be quite a few stowaways!) ;)


Kathy

[Jake & Crew]

Well....it has been exactly one year to the day since I last signed on and I was not sure where to start, but now that I see you have completed in 2 years your TR I will go back to where I left off last year and see how long it takes me to read!

Happy Easter!!!

[KathyRN137]

Well....it has been exactly one year to the day since I last signed on and I was not sure where to start, but now that I see you have completed in 2 years your TR I will go back to where I left off last year and see how long it takes me to read!

Happy Easter!!!


Wow!! Blast from the Past Post!! :rotfl:

Welcome Back, Kate ... I hope you're DISing again because you've got a trip in the works!! :goodvibes

Happy Easter!


Kathy

[KathyRN137]

Wishing you all a Very Happy and Blessed Easter!


http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w284/KathyRN137/EasterCross.jpg


And to my friends who do not celebrate Easter, I wish you a Happy Spring!! :flower:


Kathy

[blue_river]

Happy Easter to you also!


Here is the picture of Pixie I promised to share!

This one was taken the day after we got her:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/hotpwc/Family/8b05ebd8.jpg

and here she is being naughty:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/hotpwc/Family/b3ed4ee3-1.jpg

and this is a recent one:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/hotpwc/Family/IMG_9712.jpg


Enough highjacking for one day :rolleyes1

[KathyRN137]

ohhhh, how adorable!!!


Kathy

[KathyRN137]

I have absolutely nothing to say, I'm just bumping so Jordan can find me in the morning!! ;)

Kathy

[maroo]

Pixie is SOOOO cute! :cloud9:



Here is another bump so Jordan can find you. :thumbsup2

Now...who is Jordan? :confused3

Hello, Jordan! :wave2:

[blue_river]

Wow, blue, you're really going to the dogs!! :laughing:

(Congratulations!)



:lmao: Ya ..... and our pet list doesn't end there :rolleyes:

ohhhh, how adorable!!!


Kathy

Thanks :upsidedow

Pixie is SOOOO cute! :cloud9:



Thank you :flower3: .... I think so too but I am biased ;)

[KathyRN137]

Here is another bump so Jordan can find you. :thumbsup2

Now...who is Jordan? :confused3

Hello, Jordan! :wave2:



Jordan is a DIS-friend who gave up the internet for Lent.

Pssst! Hey Jordan!! Lent is over!! ;)


Kathy

[wvdislover]

Jordan is a DIS-friend who gave up the internet for Lent.

Pssst! Hey Jordan!! Lent is over!! ;)


Kathy

:scared1: Gave up the Internet for Lent?!? Oh my gosh!!! I'm not sure I could do that. Jordan, you have my utmost respect for making what would be for many, such a huge sacrifice for Lent. I hope you were able to make it, and welcome back (when you get here).

[karriemouse]

Hi Kathy - Happy Easter to you too!!!!! :cheer2:
Well we're back - 10 days at Disney, two days to unpack, repack and get over jet-lag then a week at Spring Harvest (a huge Christian festival in the UK). And tomorrow is DD's 10th birthday - where did that go? :faint:
Keeping my eye on this so I know when the next one starts or I'll get withdrawal symptoms! Twitch!

[Dreamer & Wisher]

Happy Easter back to you!:goodvibes Was the Easter Bunny good to you?

Waiting with great anticipation for your next report. :surfweb: I hope you find your notes.:goodvibes

[KathyRN137]

:scared1: Gave up the Internet for Lent?!? Oh my gosh!!! I'm not sure I could do that...


I hope he didn't forget how to turn on his laptop.... :confused:

Miss you, Jordan!

Kathy

[KathyRN137]

Hi Kathy - Happy Easter to you too!!!!! :cheer2:
Keeping my eye on this so I know when the next one starts or I'll get withdrawal symptoms! Twitch!

Wonderful!! Will you write a report?? Sounds like you had a fantastic time!

Hope to begin our April Adventure soon...


Kathy

[KathyRN137]

Happy Easter back to you!:goodvibes Was the Easter Bunny good to you?

Waiting with great anticipation for your next report. :surfweb: I hope you find your notes.:goodvibes


I hope so, too. I'm really beginning to stress about it. :eek:
The next report may have to be a simple pictorial... at least I found the memory chip with all the pix from the trip!!

Here is a little taste....

We attended the now-defunct Pirate & Princess Party!


http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w284/KathyRN137/WDW%2008/DSCN0810-1.jpg



http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w284/KathyRN137/WDW%2008/DSCN0831.jpg



http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w284/KathyRN137/WDW%2008/DSCN0855.jpg



http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w284/KathyRN137/WDW%2008/DSCN0844.jpg



http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w284/KathyRN137/WDW%2008/DSCN1055.jpg



Kathy

[DisMomAmy]

Ooooo... I can't wait to hear about it!! A photo pictorial would do! :thumbsup2

[mousescrapper]

Ooooo... I can't wait to hear about it!! A photo pictorial would do! :thumbsup2

I agree sounds fun....

so ya think the P & P P is truly no more? how sad. we would have loved it!

[mrsksomeday]

Oh my goodness, those are great pictures!! Ed with the eye patch is priceless :thumbsup2.

[wvdislover]

Oooh! A teaser! It's starting soon, it's starting soon :banana:

[MRYPPNS]

I'm sure as you look at the pictures you will remember more than you think you can.

[LuvindisCruiser]

Whew!...........................
It took me about a week, but I just finished your trip report !
:thumbsup2 Loved, Loved, Loved it !:thumbsup2
Your family is awesome.
There were so many times I wanted to post about something you had said, but I was just too far from the end !
:goodvibes Thank you, for taking the time, to make so many people happy with your report :goodvibes
I felt like I was there so many times, through you !!!!!
I laughed out loud many times, I teared up many times, and smiled throughout !
I fought my family for the computer all week !!!
Now, they can have it back. For now, until I start your next trip.
:banana: yay, can't wait !:banana:

[KathyRN137]

Oh! Is this report still on the current board?? So funny to see both here! :laughing:

Hey, this means I'm catching up!!!

Will post my replies tomorrow here as well as on "April Adventure!"

Good Night!


Kathy

[ladylyons]

Oh! Is this report still on the current board?? So funny to see both here! :laughing:

Of course you would have more than one report current on the board. It's because your such a great writer and everyone seems to love your reports. You just seem to keep pulling in more and more readers.

[blue_river]

Am I at the right place? :3dglasses

Sometimes I get easily confuzzled :sad2: