Spectrum Moms Take on The World! Our Last Day...Multiple Posts!

[DisMomAmy]

Oh my gosh! This is the coolest thing ever. I wish my sister would get on this board and get to know you guys, she needs this kind of support in her spectrum battle.

Three of my favorite ladies are on this trip and I can't wait to meet the rest of you!!!!!!!!! how exciting, wonderful, magical and just perfect! You all deserve it and I can only imagine how special, especially special, this trip will be. I am in awe of the three of you I know already and moved to tears several times already. And you are only on page 7!

And Kathy I am SO happy you are moving forward with your book! What a perfect way to do it.



I find it's kind of spotty, like it picks some images and distorts them and then is ok with others. No rhyme or reason to it that I can figure.

Hi Cynthia! Glad you found us! It's really amazing how this whole trip came together so quickly!

I've found so much support on the boards... it's going to be great to share stories in person!

 

[mousescrapper]

Thanks so much for sharing, Julie! *sniffle sniffle*
You expressed it beautifully... I feel exactly the same way!


Kathy

thanks Kathy re reading my own words after a few really tough days in the back to school routine...makes me teary and reminds to breathe....

For me (and this took time) there is nothing “wrong” w/ my son and daughter…they were designed this way…this was the plan all along. And although just about everyday we hit some hurdles in the road…this disorder called Autism is a part of them and I love them even more because of it.

I loved this, so beautifully written. Thank you for sharing it with us

WOW! Scrappie, that was amazingly beautiful!

really the thank you's are to you all who are reading and for encouragement and support

Subbing! I can't wait to hear more about your trip plans. My DS was diagnosed with PDD about a year ago, when he was 2 years old. I think it's awesome that you all are such great friends and are getting to take this trip together!

Oh my gosh! This is the coolest thing ever. I wish my sister would get on this board and get to know you guys, she needs this kind of support in her spectrum battle.

you really do need a strong base...not just family, but other moms, dads, etc you can truly understand and relate I am so thankful I had found one in the most uncovential way...but I wouldn't trade my Dis-Mom friends for anything

We see improvement in him every week. Who knew hearing "grape juice" not just "juice" was a reason to celebrate but it is in our house!

Heidi awesome update...so glad to hear it...I so remember the tiny victories of words w/ Naomi-Ruth...it does bring great joy...

ALSO readers....don't worry we 7 ladies have been busy, busy Disers via our email messages and getting some things decided...stay tuned for the details ​

Julie

 

[brookelizabeth]

Can you believe Liam is actually older than Henry by a few months. So I always find it interesting to read about Henry's development.

Oh, that's right! I forgot they were so close in age. It's hard to believe they are 3, isn't it? Is Liam into Toy Story? That's Henry's big thing right now - Buzz!

 

[KatMark]

Love the great new ticker!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Oh, that's right! I forgot they were so close in age. It's hard to believe they are 3, isn't it? Is Liam into Toy Story? That's Henry's big thing right now - Buzz!

Liam loves Buzz and can say "Buzz"....but not poor Woody! He doesn't get into the Toy Story movies (although he has seen them) because he can't follow the storyline.
But Loves CARS! He calls McQueen, "Racecar". And Wow Wow Wubzy.....I'm ready for school to start so we can get him off his Wubzy kick.

Danica and I are excited that Beauty and the Beast is coming back out on DVD October 5th! I'm hoping that the dvd has previews of the new restuarant for Fantasyland in it!

 

[KathyRN137]

Wait to you see pictures of Danica....you'll really want to squeeze her little cheeks!

Can't wait!
And if there's one thing I like better than chubby cheeks its chubby little baby thighs!!

Danica and I are excited that Beauty and the Beast is coming back out on DVD October 5th! I'm hoping that the dvd has previews of the new restuarant for Fantasyland in it!

Oooh! Hadn't thought of that!! Now I'm even more excited to get it!! The artist renditions look amazing....

...I decided to send DH an email at work without expressing my opinion/desire. I knew that if I brought it up face to face and looked too enthusiastic, Tim would think I was crazy. He was familiar with Kathy since we had already talked about her book & meeting her during last family trip. His reply was, “Are you going?” I replied with something along the lines of “oh I’d love to but I’m already going away with Laura, plus our family trip… How could I?” He threw the ball back in my court and basically said to let me know and he’d put in for the days off.

Yay Tim!! Love Ya, Mean It!!

Spectrum Dads Rock!!

I've found so much support on the boards... it's going to be great to share stories in person!

Yes, it is!!


Kathy

 

[Lady Lallie]

Danica and I are excited that Beauty and the Beast is coming back out on DVD October 5th! I'm hoping that the dvd has previews of the new restuarant for Fantasyland in it!

Oooh!! That is such a great idea. I hope that happens. I Beauty & the Beast on DVD but I want the new one for the special features.

 

[KathyRN137]

....how exciting, wonderful, magical and just perfect! You all deserve it and I can only imagine how special, especially special, this trip will be. I am in awe of the three of you I know already and moved to tears several times already. And you are only on page 7!

And Kathy I am SO happy you are moving forward with your book! What a perfect way to do it.

Thanks so much, Cynthia! I'm so excited and can't wait to meet everyone in person!

Love the great new ticker!

Thanks, Kathy! mrsksomeday designed it for us!

really the thank you's are to you all who are reading and for encouragement and support....you really do need a strong base...not just family, but other moms, dads, etc you can truly understand and relate I am so thankful I had found one in the most uncovential way...but I wouldn't trade my Dis-Mom friends for anything

Me, neither!!

Its so comforting to have friends that so real: friends that can build each other up and calm each other down at the same time!

ALSO readers....don't worry we 7 ladies have been busy, busy Disers via our email messages and getting some things decided...stay tuned for the details

Absolutely! Mostly we're talking FOOD!

Details on WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE we will be eating are coming soon!


Kathy

 

[brookelizabeth]

Liam loves Buzz and can say "Buzz"....but not poor Woody! He doesn't get into the Toy Story movies (although he has seen them) because he can't follow the storyline.
But Loves CARS! He calls McQueen, "Racecar". And Wow Wow Wubzy.....I'm ready for school to start so we can get him off his Wubzy kick.

Danica and I are excited that Beauty and the Beast is coming back out on DVD October 5th! I'm hoping that the dvd has previews of the new restuarant for Fantasyland in it!

Henry is still a big fan of Cars as well - we watched it again the other day, it had been a while! McQueen, Mack and Mater I think will always be some of his favorites. I'm looking forward to Cars 2!

We haven't seen Wow, Wow, Wuzby - I'm going to have to look that one up! Something new is always welcome.

I hadn't heard about Beauty & the Beast! That would be incredible if it had previews of the new restaurant!!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Liam loves Buzz and can say "Buzz"....but not poor Woody! He doesn't get into the Toy Story movies (although he has seen them) because he can't follow the storyline.
But Loves CARS! He calls McQueen, "Racecar". And Wow Wow Wubzy.....I'm ready for school to start so we can get him off his Wubzy kick.

Danica and I are excited that Beauty and the Beast is coming back out on DVD October 5th! I'm hoping that the dvd has previews of the new restuarant for Fantasyland in it!

Liam is such a cutie. We are a Toy Story house, but I know my boys don't know or understand the story line either, they just like seeing Woody and Buzz. We also do Cars (that was Jacks first thing, he was on that movie for over a year, and all he did was drive cars around a table in circles for hours- now he lines up super heros and acts out shows he has seen). And Wow Wow Wubzy, we went through that phase over the summer also. They don't need to watch it everyday anymore, thank goodness. Can't wait to see Danica.

 

[eandesmom]

Oooh!! That is such a great idea. I hope that happens. I Beauty & the Beast on DVD but I want the new one for the special features.

but the special feature one is only on blu ray...WAH!

 

[Lady Lallie]

but the special feature one is only on blu ray...WAH!

Well, nevermind then. Pfffft.

 

[eandesmom]

Well, nevermind then. Pfffft.

I know! I was so excited when I got my movie club email with it as the monthly selection and then MAD when it was all blu-ray.

Still, I do need the DVD so will probably buy it anyway, the "diamond" edition, whatever that is.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Well, nevermind then. Pfffft.

Double Pfffft.! <stomps foot>

 

[KathyRN137]

/
Eeek! It's the Return of the Missing Blogger!

http://wdwadventuresinautism.blogspot.com/



Kathy


ETA: This blog deals directly with the Spectrum Moms' Trip.

K.

 

[mousescrapper]

/
Eeek! It's the Return of the Missing Blogger!

http://wdwadventuresinautism.blogspot.com/



Kathy

just read it...tried to comment but something is funky w/ my Blogger cookie or something like that

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yahoo!!

 

[KathyRN137]

just read it...tried to comment but something is funky w/ my Blogger cookie or something like that

Glad you stopped by! Thanks!

You too, Amy!!


Kathy

 

[brookelizabeth]

Wonderful post Kathy - I'm SO GLAD you are back!

I gotta check out Mousejunkies!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

(Sung to the tune of Frère Jacques)

Ariana is a banana,
Pretty girl, pretty girl,
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Pretty girl, pretty girl

It’s a small little song but it’s mine and Ariana’s. I’ve been singing that little ditty to her since she was a baby. At first she would smile along with me, then as she got older she would sing the last word of each line when I strategically paused, and now it’s a song we sing together.

Bear with me as I share a bit of Ariana’s past and what Disney means to her. She’s a bit older and so my story is a bit longer. Oh and I love sharing pictures!

I don’t normally talk too much about Ariana’s autism on the DIS. I share stories I guess, and it’s the primary reason we return to Disney visit after visit, but other than needing and using a Guest Assistance Card and either my husband or myself constantly keeping her in our line of vision, there’s not a whole lot we have to do differently on our trips because of her diagnosis. To look at her, you wouldn’t know she was any different than any other teenage girl so until she has a quirky behavior or won’t speak to you do you realize she’s not quite the same.

She flies in the face of all the odds. The numbers are drastically different now, but when she was diagnosed, autism was thought to be rare. Certainly our families or friends hadn’t been touched by it. Autism affects four times as many boys as it does girls. That made it to us, an even rarer occurrence. We had a perfectly healthy first born son. Why was he spared? If we had a genetic predisposition to it, he was a boy – why didn’t he have it too? As odd as it sounds, that made it even more difficult for us to accept. Why her? As simple as that, why her? The classic question that I’d imagine goes through the mind of every parent at some point. For the longest time, I was so angry. It took time, but that anger turned into acceptance and determination.

The very day we’d received her diagnosis, two important things happened that set us down the road we’re at today. George had been vying for a new job with much better pay, and he got a phone call telling him to report Monday morning. Then, in that day’s newspaper was an article about a family that was utilizing a new business that had opened its doors in our City and was providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy to children with autism. I called and spoke to the family, then called and spoke to the Psychologist providing the therapy. Within weeks we set up a program ourselves and are still with them ten years later.

Ariana is extremely affectionate and loves to snuggle and give hugs and kisses. We’ve been fortunate that she’s had no dietary issues whatsoever. When she was younger I briefly attempted a gluten free diet for her but it had almost no affect and stripped her of what little foods she liked. She is a runner. She’s not running to or from anything, she just loves to run and doesn’t comprehend the ramifications of being separated from us. Her academics are at a grade three level but she has incredible problem solving skills, is a natural on a computer and is as smart as a whip. She is Stubborn with a capital S, Stubborn. She learns new skills very quickly….. when she wants to.

Her love of Disney is as long as I can remember. The ‘theme’ in her room as an infant was Winnie the Pooh. She gravitated to Pooh Bear and especially Mickey and Minnie as a toddler and then expanded to princesses, especially Snow White as she got a little older. Halloween costumes were always Snow White year after year and her Barbie collection always grew with a new Snow White or Cinderella each birthday.

Family vacations were unheard of for us. Ariana’s therapy is a major expense so we were content with day trips to local parks and zoos each year. Then a casual conversation with a co-worker changed everything for us. His babysitter’s Mom was a travel agent who went to Disney World year after year. A group was arranging to go that September to take advantage of the free dining promotion that had just been announced and was letting my co-worker know in advance that she would need that particular week off to go. Knowing that I’d always wanted to go to Disney; he asked a few questions and passed her Mom’s contact info on to me. Several phone conversations and emails later and we had our first trip booked.

Our family of five was booked at the Pop Century Resort with the free dining package and all of our ADRs were booked by her just weeks before we left. We had the time of our lives and some incredible experiences that we will always remember. Alex still calls that trip the Best. Ever. We were just blown away by the lengths to which all the cast members went to make sure we had the best vacation we possibly could and especially the attention that was showered upon Ariana.

At home – in her school, while grocery shopping, while at the park, etc, her quirks and her reactions to things that make her happy draw stares of puzzlement. People for the most part aren’t trying to be mean; they just stare and usually don’t know what to do. It makes me defensive and a little sad and sometimes I feel like a broken record explaining her actions.

In Disney, Ariana can be herself. It’s her heaven on earth. Her favorite things and her favorite characters in her favorite place, her favorite World. Not only do I not have to explain anything to anyone, it is welcomed and expected. It brings smiles to people’s faces, not perplexity. Ariana is free to laugh loudly and compulsively dance and give hugs and jump up and down in excitement…. and just be herself. My little banana girl is not an outsider looking in or doing her own thing separate from everyone else. She actively participates and is a part of everything. She fits in. I don’t know that I’m explaining it well enough…. but there you are.

That’s my little banana girl.