Happy Fall!

Well we've all seemed to get back into the swing of things returning to school.  Ryan and Julia are doing very well and are getting glowing reports from their teachers.  Like with all kids, I'm sure, there are times when we have to work around Ryan's resistance to homework.  But there is a noticeable improvement from last year to this year despite the tremendous increase in the amount of work he receives (about triple the amount over last year!).  He has a math worksheet everyday and this is easy for him to do and he rarely gives us a difficult time about completing it.  It is usually the first thing he wants to get done, which as a math teacher, puts a smile on my face.  The reading and writing is where he gets stumped and causes the most resistance.  But with breaks here and there we can get through the homework.  It can spread out from 4 - 8 but we don't mind as long as it is getting done.  Things are going great with Ryan on the Focalin.  Our only concern would be the loss of appetite that he often displays.  He is so skinny as it is.  He takes the medication in the morning before he leaves for daycare and then again with the nurse at school at lunchtime.  During the last post I mentioned that we needed to change psychiatrists.  We have done that and now have someone in our plan.  And we have also worked it out where some of the monthly prescriptions can be written directly from his pediatrician, which is awesome because she is located about 2 minutes from home.

Jack has adjusted nicely to his routine at day care.  He often cries for a minute when I drop him off but it is brief and he enjoys his time there.  But I do love seeing his face when I pick him up in the afternoon.  It melts my heart at how happy and excited he is that momma is back to get him.  My trips dropping him off and picking him up will dwindle down as I will be home with the new baby and that job will now become Phil's until I'm ready for Jack to stay home with us.  Maybe at the end of December.

This is my last week at work, as I'm less than two weeks away from my due date.  Leave it to baby #4 for my feet, ankles, and legs to swell during pregnancy.   Definitely not fun and it has been a rough couple of weeks.   I finally packed my bag for the hospital and I think Phil and I have at last agreed on a name (we're not telling!)  We're all excited to meet our new addition to the family but I also know that I will miss my friends at work and my students.  In the grand scheme of things I know they will get by just fine without me and these next 8 months will be such a small portion of their entire educational career, but I will still miss them.

Ryan has been into drawing lately, more so than ever.  He draws these elaborate scenes in a notebook while he's in bed at night.  They range across a variety of topics but usually have something to do with either a book that he recently read, a show that he is obsessed with watching, or an event that took place that he was extremely excited about.  For example, our neighbor, a police officer, brought home an Army-type hummer one day and invited the kids over to sit in it and check it out.  Ryan went bananas over it and drew Army vehicles for several days in a row.

There are several birthdays this week in our family.  My Uncle Tony in Heaven would have been celebrating his birthday.  Last month his grandson, Anthony Robert was born at approximately 32 weeks.  He was just released from the hospital yesterday.  We are thankful that things are going well for him and we can't wait to meet him!  It is also the birthdays of both of my grandmothers and mother.  All three of these women sacrificed a lot raising their children.  My mom raised my brother and I while running our family business.  Her and my dad worked crazy hours each week to build the business and keep it running successfully for almost 30 years before they sold it.  My mom's mom raised 6 children during the day and then worked in the evenings when my grandfather got home in order to help support the family.  And my dad's mom raised four children in a poor countryside town in Italy before coming over to America and making a life for them here.  Mom's make such tremendous sacrifices for their children.  No offense to the dads out there, as you too make an impact on your child's life.  But there is something about a mother's bond with her children that makes being a mom the best feeling in the world.  I hope I am being the best mom I can be for my children.  I know they don't always show appreciation for it now but that will not stop me.  There are enough special moments to keep me going.  Here is one of those special moments.  This is an excerpt of an email I received from my daughter's teacher just a couple of days ago:

"I wanted to send you a quick message to let you know how much I enjoy having Julia in my class!! She comes in everyday with a smile on her face, ready to learn, kind words to others, and always eager to participate.  Today I had to take a half day, my daughter had a doctor appointment this afternoon.  As I was saying goodbye to the class, Julia looked up at me with a big smile and said, 'Mrs. Smith - are you putting on your Mom hat now?'  I cracked up!  I was thinking of her just now and wanted to let you know she puts a smile on my face."

Here are some updated pictures from the past month:

First Day of School

Ryan continues to struggle with his soccer skills, but I'm so proud of him for not giving up!

At 36 weeks.

Jack's first haircut!  I do hope the curls continue to come back, but he was starting to look like a girl and needed a trim!

A typical day for Julia who loves the outdoors!

Pumpkin decorating time!  The kids are super excited for Halloween.  Stay tuned for pictures in their costumes!

Speaking of costumes, here is mine this year.  I wore it a little early this year since I'm hoping baby girl Campbell will be here by Halloween!  My students got a kick out of it!  Here I am at 38 weeks.

Keep an eye out for the kids' pictures in their Halloween costumes (assuming Halloween is not cancelled a third year in a row due to some massive snow storm or hurricane).  And we will of course post pictures and an update when the baby is born.  Any day now!!!

DC

Week 164 - Medicine twice a day

Week 164

Dr. Hahn decided that we should try giving Ryan his medicine, Focalin, twice a day.  Dawn went into school on Tuesday to go over with the nurse the best way to give him his medicine.  It is tricky since he cannot swallow a pill and we usually give it to him with a spoon full of peanut butter.   Since that system works, the nurse agreed to keep plastic spoons and a jar of peanut butter in her office for Ryan.  He comes down around noon each day and takes a second does of his medicine.  So far his behavior has been good both at school and home but we are still having a difficult time with him and his work.  There has also been some changes in his sleep since starting to take the second dose.  Ryan would go to bed at 8 and be asleep within 15 minutes.  This week there were nights where he was up in his bed talking to himself past 9 and 10 pm.

This past Wednesday it was Grandparents/Senior breakfast at the kids' school.  Grandma Jeanne and our neighbor, Carol, took the kids and they all had a good time.  Grandma remembered from last year that Ryan got upset because he did not win any of the prizes.  So she and Carol prepped him on the ride there reminding him that not everyone wins something and they are there to have a good time.  He did not win anything this year but he seemed okay with not winning.

Today we had a behavior analyst come to the house to do an initial intake on Ryan.  This is someone that teaches with a friend of Dawn's and she has a business on the side.  We are going to start with a Functional Behavior Assessment over the next couple of weeks and see where the data takes us.  She spent an hour today asking both Dawn and I questions about Ryan and what we thought of the school's program and what we hope for Ryan.  It was a good initial meeting and in the coming weeks we hope she can give us some strategies to help us with Ryan.  We had a difficult school year with him this year and we don't want a repeat of this when Ryan enters second grade.

PC

Week 163- Autism Speaks Walk

Today we braved the 90 degree sweltering weather to walk for Autism.  We had some of our "regulars" with us and even some "newbies" and despite the heat it was a nice day.  Thank you to everyone who came out to support Ryan, our family, and all those with Autism!

Ryan was very excited to participate but he did something this year that he hasn't done in the past.  He walked in front of the sign the entire way and argued with anyone on our team (especially Julia) who wanted to walk next to him.  He wanted everyone to walk behind him.

I did not set up a link for our team online this year like I have done in the past.  I just never got around to it.  I took the donations I had received to the walk which totaled over $800.  Thank you to everyone who donated!  I know there are a few more people who contacted us about making a donation.  You can mail us or give us a check made out to Autism Speaks and next week we will send it all in together for our team to be combined with the donations handed in today from our team.

Here are some pictures from today's walk...

Our 2013 walk team

Ryan and Julia getting ready for the walk.

Ryan poses with the Forgione ladies.

cousins

Unfortunately we were missing a key component to our team today.  Phil could not make it to the walk. Jack has been sick all week with high temperatures.  When his fever broke he developed the Roseola rash.  The heat and sun irritate the rash, so Jack needed to stay indoors this weekend and Phil stayed with him.  Jack has had a very uncomfortable week from whatever virus was in his body and was irritable most of the time, but we did manage to get a few smiles out of him.  

Jack put on his hat to pose for the camera!

Quick update on Ryan's appointments: he met with the psychiatrist this week and there has been another adjustment with his medication.  We are taking him off of the Fluoxetine (Prozac) in the evenings, and doing a trial of a double dose of the Focalin each day.  He will take one dose before we bring him to daycare and a second dose at school around lunch time.  The nurse will have to administer it.  The hope is that the second dose will kick in when the first dose has worn out and he will have better afternoons at school and at home.  The second dose should wear off in time for him to relax and go to bed on time. We'll see how this new regimen works out this week.  

DC

Week 161

We ended last week with uncertainty about the new medicine, Focalin, that Ryan began.  But I guess it just took a couple of days for his body to adjust.  He had a great week at school and when Dr. Hahn returned our call he suggested we keep him on it and see how he finished out the week with it.  It really is like clockwork.  Approximately an hour after taking the medicine it kicks in, and about 7-8 hours later it wears off and Ryan is as wild and unpredictable as ever.  We're happy to hear about the progress Ryan is making during those 7-8 hours. 

Here are some excerpts we received in Ryan's communication notebook this week from his special education teacher:

"Ryan got right to work this morning on his morning work.  He was one of the first ones done.  His writing about whales was very well done.  He applied something I taught and reviewed with the class yesterday.  New medicine must be working!"

"Good focusing again today, but a lot of tattling."

"Good day.  Got right to work this morning again."

"Got right to work.  Does not talk with peers at the table, but does talk to me a lot.  Today's morning work was a bit challenging, but the great news is he didn't complain once.  He had a worksheet to add three numbers.  Second, he had to write about a new sea animal we have learned about.  He only could write two sentences.  I had another student give him a book to help him and he sat right down and started to read without complaining.  In the past, he would refuse to read and write more. So happy to see this change."

While it is great to hear these positive comments, it is difficult to come to terms with the fact that we have Ryan on two different medications.  For years we have tried just about every alternative from the GFCF diet, to special doctors, to supplements, to different therapies, all to avoid medication.  We always saw that as a last resort.  This medicine ordeal is certainly more of an art than a science and it may take a long time to find the perfect mix.  

This year's Autism Walk in Westchester is on Sunday, June 2nd, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the walk beginning about 11 a.m., at the NY-Presbyterian Hospital in White Plains.  If you can join us please let us know and we will give you more information.  

Here are some pictures from this week:

Ryan showing off his art work at the Art Festival.

Caught them watching TV together.  What a pleasant surprise!

Happy 10 months Jack!

DC

Week 160- Happy Birthday Ryan!

Happy Birthday Ryan!  It has been a very eventful seven years but we would not trade them for anything.  We love you so much and we are proud of you for all that you have accomplished and all that you will accomplish.  Our "baby Ryan" is growing up. 

Seven years old!

Getting too big to sit on Grandma's lap!  

Thrilled to finally get some cake!  

Mother's Day

I am constantly amazed at how committed Dawn is to this process.  If there is a doctor's appointment to be made, she somehow finds a way to get it weeks ahead of everyone else.   She is on top of Jack's appointments and what he needs at daycare, Julia's Irish step dancing competitions and soccer games, and Ryan's Religion homework and when there is a party in his classroom that we need to send in some GFCF cupcakes!  She is the person that holds us all together and without her we (me) would be a complete disaster!  How she finds time to develop amazing lessons for her students and all the other things that she needs to do for her job is a mystery.  Yet each day she gets up, and shows us all the love and grace of a person without a care in the world.  It is amazing and Ryan, Julia, and Jack are the luckiest children in the world having Dawn as their mom.  Happy Mother's Day beautiful!

All together with the best mom ever!  With some drool and ketchup stains!

Ryan Express shirts on Friday and pins

Mahopac Middle school showing their support!  

On Friday, Dawn received a call from the Assistant Principal telling us of another incident where Ryan broke a rule to enforce a rule.  During reading time, Ryan choked a student that was not following the rules, and then at lunch told the same boy to look under the table and then he kicked him in the face.  This is the fourth incident this year where Ryan has resorted to violence to enforce a rule in school.  We had an appointment with Dr. Hahn that afternoon and Ryan refused to talk about it.  He hid behind me the entire time and refused to talk to the doctor about it.  After this latest incident and the fact that we do not believe the other medicine is working, we decided to give Focalin a try.  This is similar to Ritilan.  Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is used to treat ADHD.  The psychiatrist still wants us to keep giving the Fluoxetine to Ryan and we have an appointment with him at the end of the month to assess how things are going.

We gave Ryan the Focalin a try this weekend and he was zooming!  It is a time released drug and a few hours in, he was all over the place.  He was talking a mile a minute and went from one thing to the next.  We noticed that this was about 2 to 3 hours into the medicine and then he calmed down after an hour.  We assume that this is just his body getting used to the medicine and are hoping for the best as we give him this new medicine and send him to school tomorrow.  Dawn is emailing his teachers to give them the heads up in case he is all over the place again tomorrow.

PC

Week 156

The kids having some Easter fun with their Campbell cousins.

We have a lot to share tonight because we didn't write last week, so here we go...

Let's begin with an update on Ryan's skin.  His legs are doing much better.  There are still some residual scabs, but the two medications that the pediatrician prescribed helped tremendously.  While I'm happy that he is no longer itchy and his skin no longer feels like sandpaper, I'm annoyed that he went through these skin issues for over 2 years and the issue could have been fixed with a prescription instead of him suffering through the scratching and bleeding.  I don't know why it had to get to the point it did for the doctor to offer him some relief.

We did not take Ryan to the psychologist this week because it was opening day of soccer and at the time of his last appointment we did not have his game schedule yet to make an appointment.  It worked out okay anyways since he already had a psychiatrist appointment scheduled.  We met the psychiatrist for the first time and he agreed that Ryan be placed on some medication.  He wants to treat Ryan's impulsiveness first and hopes that will help reduce the anxiety, rather than begin with an anxiety medication.  We were supposed to begin the medication on Saturday but the doctor put incomplete information on the prescription and CVS wouldn't fill it.  They put a call into the doctor, as did we, but he did not call back.  Hopefully we will hear from him first thing Monday morning and we can begin the medicine.  Ryan will also need to have lab work done for some baseline levels, and we will go back to this doctor in a month to share the lab results and an update on Ryan.  If we see an improvement, and Ryan is tolerating the medicine, then he will give us a new prescription with refills (hopefully filled out correctly this time!) ha ha  The appointments with this psychiatrist are huge monetary investments out of our pocket so we are praying that this is the best decision for Ryan and that it helps him.

On the day of the appointment with the psychiatrist I received a message from the kids' principal.  He explained that Ryan had punched Julia in the face on the bus.  Apparently Julia had switched her seat to a place she shouldn't be sitting (Kindergartners are supposed to sit in the front two seats of the bus) and Ryan told her to switch back.  Of course she argued with him and refused to move, and Ryan socked her a good one.  A lot of drama ensued with visits to the nurse, the Principal's office, and hugs from teachers.  Here we go again with Ryan trying to enforce a rule, by breaking another one.  He is so concerned with what is going on with everyone else and it gets him into trouble.  He simply cannot control himself when he realizes he is unable to control what another child or adult does.

We've always been worried about Julia and what all of this must be like for her.  If Phil and I are so affected by what is going on with Ryan, I can't imagine what it must be like in the eyes of a five year old who may not be able to comprehend everything going on.  Julia is extremely sensitive, and it broke my heart when I read the note I received from her teacher the evening of the punching incident.  I was so choked up I could barely read it aloud to Phil.  Here are excerpts from her teacher's message:

I did not know who had hit Julia this morning when she came in from the bus.  I sent her immediately to the nurse and told her to go to the office and tell (the Principal).  If I had known I would have handled it differently.  Julia was upset because she was hit, but mostly because she told on her brother.  We talked in the hall when she came back and she told me what had happened.  I told her that it was good that she told us and then that way we could help her brother.  We talked about how it was difficult because she loves him and she said that he is mean to her sometimes.  I reassured her that he loves her very much too.  She wanted to hug him so I called into the room... Ryan came out and then gave Julia a hug and things were better for Julia after that. She is such a loving child! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help Julia.

After some email conversations back and forth, her teacher said that she would alert the school social worker and psychologist and see if someone would speak with Julia.  We're hoping they can give us some insight as to whether we should be looking into some outside counseling for her as well, just so she can openly talk about her feelings regarding Ryan and how she feels.

Our Welcome DVD came in the mail this week and the kids immediately wanted to watch it.  They are very excited for our trip this summer that Grandma Campbell is taking us on.

On the "Jack" front, he is improving slowly but surely.  We had another bronchiolitis and ear infection scare last week.  His coughing, especially during the night, was terrible.  His breathing was so labored and the wheezing was so heavy that he was back on the nebulizer approximately five times a day.  He is back down to two times a day now and is sleeping much better through the night.  We made an appointment with a pulmonologist and the earliest appointment they were able to give us was a month away!  In the meantime, the pediatrician watched one of his coughing fits through a recording I made on my phone, and she felt he was having reflux issues again.  So he is back on the Prevacid in addition to the nebulizer.  Jack will be nine months this week.  He is approximately 25 pounds, and through everything he still remains happy and smiley most of the day!

On the job front, I do not know any more than I knew a month ago.  Only time will tell as the budget goes up the third week in May.  But I wanted to share a part of an email I received from a former student.  It is similar to many other messages and phone calls I received from former students and parents regarding the news that I was one of the 67 teachers laid off in my district:

I wanted you to know that it was heartbreaking to hear that you were one of the teachers, because you were truly one of the greatest teachers I've ever had, and you've had such an impact on me as I've grown up. 

While being laid off is not an ideal situation, I feel in my heart that everything will work out for the best.  With all of the new demands and the ridiculous testing that is going on, maybe it is time for me to pursue other career options.  Or maybe this will give me the time I need to devote to myself and my family.  Like I said before, only time will tell.  We're looking forward to getting answers about my job, getting answers about Julia's stresses as a sibling of someone with Autism, answers about Jack's breathing issues, and answers about what we can do to help Ryan.  We have a LONG "To Do" list!

Happy 11th Birthday in Heaven Helen.
Have a great week everyone!

DC

Week 153

We began the week excited to have Ryan's appointment with the psychiatrist.  Unfortunately, the morning of the appointment, the receptionist called to cancel the appointment.  It was the morning following the snow/ice storm.  Many schools were on a 2 hour delay.  I was home with the kids, about to pack them into the car to take them to daycare so that I could head to work and the phone rang.  I was so annoyed.  I told the receptionist that the roads were fine and the buses were already out there picking up the high school kids in my neighborhood.  How could the doctor cancel an appointment for the afternoon when she had 5 hours to make her way into the office?  They told me to call back and reschedule.  Yeah right!  So with the psychiatrist appointment cancelled, and the psychologist appointment cancelled just a few days before that, we were feeling pretty defeated.  In the meantime, a family friend had recommended another doctor in Newburgh who comes highly recommended.  He is on vacation but said that he would be willing to meet with Ryan when he returns.  I've left a message and am hoping to hear back very soon.


Among the many recommendations we received, one was for the Autism Program at Yale.  They have a Child Study Center that is considered one of the best in the country, where over a two day period a team of specialists interview us and work with Ryan to determine his strengths and weaknesses.  At the end of the two days we are provided with a pile of reports that we can use to help Ryan get the help he needs in school and within our community.  I spent time researching the program this week and speaking with an individual from the Yale Child Study Office.  We were able to make an appointment for Ryan during the first week in April.  But after further consideration, Phil and I cancelled the appointment.  With all of the other avenues we are pursuing right now, we didn't want to jump into this and overwhelm Ryan.  It is a lot of money, out-of-pocket, to spend ($5500) for reports similar to what we may already receive from the professionals currently working with Ryan.  I'm sure it is the name "Yale" at the top of the reports that may open a few more doors, but at the moment we seem to already be inundated with information.  It is not the lack of information, it is "What do we do now with this information?" that has us stumped.  The Yale program is something that we can wait a few months for and see if it is necessary at that time.  This will give us more time to save up the $5500 since much of our current resources we are currently investing in appointments in the psychiatric field.  It is astonishing how many doctors in this field do not participate in insurance! 


Autism Program at Yale

Jack turned 8 months this week.  Here is a picture of Jack with Ryan and Julia.

Towards the end of the week Ryan had a huge meltdown that lasted about 20 minutes.  My parents and brother were here.  They said he was great all day and then something set him off and he couldn't control himself.  It happened just as I had returned home from work on Friday.  It was already a bad day as I had met with the Assistant Superintendent in the morning and found out that I was one of 67 teachers in my District being laid off.  As of right now I do not have a position for the 2013-2014 school year.  That may change depending upon the budget in May, but there are a lot of factors in play right now.  I can't believe after working for a district for 10 years that there have been so many cuts that I am at the bottom of the list on the chopping block.  How do you continue to run a decent education program with that many layoffs? After a rough day at work, walking in the door to Ryan crying and screaming and throwing his body around was just a lot to handle. 

And Ryan's skin is getting progressively worse.  He is obsessed with scratching it and he is so itchy it is further upsetting him.  We took him to the pediatrician and she gave us two topical prescription medications; she said his eczema and his scratching, has caused an infection on the skin.  After just one day of use we already noticed a difference and Ryan said himself that he is less itchy.  Here is a picture of his scaly, scabby leg the night before we took him to the pediatrician.

On Palm Sunday we did a little early celebration of Easter with our families.  The kids had an Easter egg hunt outside and had a lot of fun playing all together.

Don't forget that April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day and homes and buildings around the world will be lighting it up blue. Get those light bulbs ready! Our light bulbs are ready to go for the evening of 4/1!  And please remember to wear blue on 4/2! 

DC

Week 152- The Neuropsychologist

It was an up and down week with Ryan.  On Friday, Ryan was very excited to come home and show us his 100 on his spelling quiz.  Now that he is being pulled out again with the special education teacher his grades have gone up.  If you recall, they stopped taking him out of the class to take his tests and we noticed a sharp drop in his grades.

On the behavior front, it was OK.  His behavior was manageable at home and he did not have as many of the huge meltdowns that he was previously having.  However, on Thursday we found out that Ryan had punched two different boys in the face at two different times throughout the school day.  The first one was because Ryan and another boy had an argument in the hallway.  The argument was about if the other boy said a bad word or not.  They argued back and forth and Ryan hit him in the face.  The second time was in the cafeteria and a different boy took money from Ryan (his lucky coin) and would not give it back.  So instead of telling a teacher, he hit the boy in the face.  We are trying to get through to Ryan that you cannot break a rule to enforce another rule.

With all of the phones calls that Dawn has been making to different doctors, we were supposed to have our first one on Friday afternoon with the psychologist that Ryan's school social worker recommended.  We prepped Ryan, sent notes into school about getting out early, we put in to get the time off from work to bring him and what happens?  She cancels at the last minute!  I wonder it we should charge her the 75 dollar fee for not cancelling within 24 hours?  It was probably for the best anyway.  Dawn did not get the best feeling from this person during their phone conversation and it took forever for this person to call us back to get this appointment in the first place.  And even after hearing the urgency of the situation, the earliest she could fit us in was two weeks away.  We found a different psychologist (Dr. Field) that was recommended to us by one of Dawn's former student's mother.  Dawn called him and was able to get an appointment within 2 days.  Ryan met him on Saturday, had a good time in his office and when the session was over gave him a hug good bye.  We are going to stay with Dr. Field for now and Ryan is going to see him once a week. Dr. Field gave Ryan some interesting homework.  He told him that once a day he is to have a planned meltdown and to make it as close to a real meltdown as possible. Ryan did so on Saturday and Sunday (with reminders and prompting from us).  He found it very silly.  Maybe that is the point, to make Ryan realize how silly he looks and feels spinning on the floor kicking his legs. 

Another one of Dawn's former student's mother who reads our blog thought it would be nice to make us dinner. This is someone who has followed Ryan's ups and downs for years and has become a close friend to our family.  Below is the picture of what she made for us that evening and the menu that she made.  We are still eating the leftovers!  This is someone that has really reached out to us and has been a good friend to Dawn.  I cannot thank her enough for all of the support and encouragement that you have given to Dawn over these past few months.  It has meant a great deal to our family.

Our feast.

The Menu

We are in the process of filling out paperwork for OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities).  Dawn has been making calls to our regional office and with a great deal of help from several friends on Facebook, we are on our way.  It is mountains of paper work and we have been extremely fortunate to have people willing to email us and spend over an hour on the phone walking us through the system.  For those of you that have reached out to answer our questions or to just say that you were thinking of us, we cannot thank you enough.  We will keep everyone posted on whether Ryan qualifies for services.  It may take a while to get the paperwork submitted since we have to wait for updated doctor's notes as well as new behavior form results that the school needs to complete and process.  Dawn is trying to devote time each day to work on all of this, but being back at work has made it difficult to have a free moment to do so.


Another reader of the blog, (another mother of one of Dawn's former students) sent Dawn several messages of encouragement.  Here is part of one of the messages:

"...was at a a training at work the other evening and the agenda was on a documentary "Different is the New Normal." It was about a young boy who lived with Tourettes and the struggles not only he went through but his entire family. It was a very long journey....very difficult at times but in the end he developed into an amazing young man. At the end of the documentary his Mom explained how if she could just have been able to know from when he was little what an amazing young man he would grow up to be, it would have been so much easier for her. As parents it is our fear of the unknown that panics us. Keep your faith. It will get you through."

So true!  We constantly worry about Ryan's future, and it is the fear of the unknown that panics us, but also keeps us working hard to help him.


Since today is St. Patrick's Day, here is a picture of Jack all dressed in green.

Jack's First St. Patrick's Day!

Ryan has his first appointment with the psychiatrist on Tuesday.  We're hoping that the upcoming storm does not change these plans. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


PC