Dear Readers,
It has been a nice break the last few weeks not blogging everyday but I am now ready to start blogging about this chapter in our family's life. Tuesday I recived a call from Can-Do-Canines, I was very excited to learn that they wanted me to meet a dog by the name of "Truman" who is a black Labrador. I set a time with the women to drive out to New Hope to the facility for Thursday at 1pm. Thrusday came and I got out my GPS and found my way to Can-Do-Canines new facility. Dora, the trainer, met me in the loby and we proceeded to one of the big training rooms. We walked in the room and she told me to take a seat and that she would go get Truman from the Kennal. I was so excited to meet him and I prayed the whole way to the facility. Truman came in the door and walked straight up to me. Dora gave me some dog treats and we sat and talked and Truman sat right by me without even trying to go to his trainer. The first thing I was aware of with Truman was his GREAT eye contact with me. When I talked to him he just staired into my eyes. I kind of laughed because I have never had that kind of experiance with a dog. I said, "Wow, Truman Kadin doesn't even do that!" I practiced walking him and giving some basic commands. Over all it went very well and towards the end Dora said, "So what do you think?" I said, "I really like him and I have not had any negative feelings towards this match so, Yes, I would like to work with him." Dora got the paper work and I filled it all out and we scheduled our first Training session for Tues. July 12th. I am looking forward our next meeting! I will keep you all posted on the progress.
Goodnight!
Friday, July 08, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
All Home Safe and Sound!
Dear Readers,
We arrived home around 8:30pm and we are soooo Happy to be back. Thank you all for your support during this past month it really meant a lot to me.
Today did not start off well, Kadin managed to run ahead of Bret and some how he got outside without anyone in the Hotel noticing. Of course I was a complete wreck running in circles trying to figure out where he could have gone. The worst part about this whole ordeal was that I had cut his locator of his ankle last night before last due to the fact that the strap had rubbed his ankle raw. I think it was a combination between the rubbing of the strap and the ongoing exposure to chlorine. Anyway, I had an extra strap that I was going to attach to his other ankle but I had not put it on yet. I was hysterical in the parking lot wondering were to start and beating myself up about not putting the strap on the other ankle regardless of the irritation that was healing from the 2 weeks prior. The Police were sent out and just at the time they arrived Bret found him running down the highway that runs along the Hotel. Kadin was fine but his pants were wet from the running in the grass. The Officer wanted to talk to us about the situation and then she went to talk to the women at the front desk. Due to Kadin's running off we were a bit late for our morning session. Bret went in the tank with the boys and I tried to calm down and make some phone calls. I called Dane county sheriffs office and the Project lifesaver
officers that we had met with when we arrived here in WI. I wanted to explain why he didn't have his bracelet on. Anyway, I managed to calm enough and yes, Kadin got the strap on his "almost healed" ankle as soon as Bret brought him through the door. Of course this would happen on our last day here. Let me tell you, there is never a dull moment with this child of mine! Our second session went well and Bret went in again with the boys and I got to talk to Shannon the Director of the clinic for over an hour. Gloria, Rebekah and I on the "off treatment" time worked on a mini video of our stay here and our experience at Wisconsin Interactive Hyperbarics. The staff loved the video and Shannon asked if she could post it on the WIHC web site! We also took pictures of the all the boys putting there hand print on their "Hand Prints of Hope" wall. I must say it went better than I thought. Kadin smeared the print a bit but we fixed it with a little paper towel and water. Well, I better sign off, the boys have to be up and out the door by 7:30 for summer school.
We will be going to meet Kadin's potential Service Dog this week and I have decided, if you all are interested, to continue blogging about that experience. Let me know if your intersted.
Thank you and Goodnight!! :)
We arrived home around 8:30pm and we are soooo Happy to be back. Thank you all for your support during this past month it really meant a lot to me.
Today did not start off well, Kadin managed to run ahead of Bret and some how he got outside without anyone in the Hotel noticing. Of course I was a complete wreck running in circles trying to figure out where he could have gone. The worst part about this whole ordeal was that I had cut his locator of his ankle last night before last due to the fact that the strap had rubbed his ankle raw. I think it was a combination between the rubbing of the strap and the ongoing exposure to chlorine. Anyway, I had an extra strap that I was going to attach to his other ankle but I had not put it on yet. I was hysterical in the parking lot wondering were to start and beating myself up about not putting the strap on the other ankle regardless of the irritation that was healing from the 2 weeks prior. The Police were sent out and just at the time they arrived Bret found him running down the highway that runs along the Hotel. Kadin was fine but his pants were wet from the running in the grass. The Officer wanted to talk to us about the situation and then she went to talk to the women at the front desk. Due to Kadin's running off we were a bit late for our morning session. Bret went in the tank with the boys and I tried to calm down and make some phone calls. I called Dane county sheriffs office and the Project lifesaver
officers that we had met with when we arrived here in WI. I wanted to explain why he didn't have his bracelet on. Anyway, I managed to calm enough and yes, Kadin got the strap on his "almost healed" ankle as soon as Bret brought him through the door. Of course this would happen on our last day here. Let me tell you, there is never a dull moment with this child of mine! Our second session went well and Bret went in again with the boys and I got to talk to Shannon the Director of the clinic for over an hour. Gloria, Rebekah and I on the "off treatment" time worked on a mini video of our stay here and our experience at Wisconsin Interactive Hyperbarics. The staff loved the video and Shannon asked if she could post it on the WIHC web site! We also took pictures of the all the boys putting there hand print on their "Hand Prints of Hope" wall. I must say it went better than I thought. Kadin smeared the print a bit but we fixed it with a little paper towel and water. Well, I better sign off, the boys have to be up and out the door by 7:30 for summer school.
We will be going to meet Kadin's potential Service Dog this week and I have decided, if you all are interested, to continue blogging about that experience. Let me know if your intersted.
Thank you and Goodnight!! :)
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Success at the "Little Americka" Carnival
Dear Readers,
Well we were blessed with the most beautiful day today and we decided to venture out and try going to the "Little Americka" Carnival. We had the BEST time and Kadin fell in love with the big rollercoaster. Needless to say he wanted to go on it again and again. They also had a 15 min. Train ride that went through the park and out into the country side and there were lots of sheep and goats and Lamas roaming freely around the train and going over the tracks. Tanner's favorite ride was the tilt a whirl because there was a huge statue of Mario Brothers in the center of the ride. When we sat in the car Tanner yelled out, "Mario, do your stuff!" then he said, "this is the best ride ever, Mario is the best!" I felt ill after that ride and Tanner ask me if I wanted to puke. i just laughed and said, "No, but I am not going to go on that ride again." It was a very very successful day! The best part is that we managed to stay the whole day, it was such a cool experiance. When Kadin was done he looked at me and said, "Go to the Van." I knew he was so tired and I was so proud of how both the boys did today. We got back to the van and Kadin just laid on the floor, I got him into his car seat and he crashed on the 30 min. ride back to our hotel. I cannot tell you when the last time Kadin fell asleep without the use of his pills and to fall asleep at 5:00pm hasn't happend since he was like 1 year old. We were nervouse that he wouldn't go down tonight but we gave him his pills a little later and he went down fine. What a day we have had!
Well we were blessed with the most beautiful day today and we decided to venture out and try going to the "Little Americka" Carnival. We had the BEST time and Kadin fell in love with the big rollercoaster. Needless to say he wanted to go on it again and again. They also had a 15 min. Train ride that went through the park and out into the country side and there were lots of sheep and goats and Lamas roaming freely around the train and going over the tracks. Tanner's favorite ride was the tilt a whirl because there was a huge statue of Mario Brothers in the center of the ride. When we sat in the car Tanner yelled out, "Mario, do your stuff!" then he said, "this is the best ride ever, Mario is the best!" I felt ill after that ride and Tanner ask me if I wanted to puke. i just laughed and said, "No, but I am not going to go on that ride again." It was a very very successful day! The best part is that we managed to stay the whole day, it was such a cool experiance. When Kadin was done he looked at me and said, "Go to the Van." I knew he was so tired and I was so proud of how both the boys did today. We got back to the van and Kadin just laid on the floor, I got him into his car seat and he crashed on the 30 min. ride back to our hotel. I cannot tell you when the last time Kadin fell asleep without the use of his pills and to fall asleep at 5:00pm hasn't happend since he was like 1 year old. We were nervouse that he wouldn't go down tonight but we gave him his pills a little later and he went down fine. What a day we have had!
Friday, June 24, 2011
38 down and 2 to go...
Dear Readers,
Today went well even though I think that we all are chomping at the bit to go home. All things considered this month has gone fast, but Monday can't come fast enough! Today, During our lunch hour Mitchell came up to me holding a (PECS) Picture of Markers with the word "Draw" on it he put it in my hand and just looked at me. I was so happy, "I said, "do you want to draw Mitchell?" and he said, "Draw" so Karin got out his markers and color books and he began to scribble. On another occasion today Mitchell came up to me and said, "Trains" and I new he wanted me to put Thomas DVD on so he could watch it. Mitchell is just doing some really great things, I am so glad Gloria and Mike were able to pay for Mitch to have treatment with my boys. I could have never done this trip without Gloria by my side! Kadin, did something today he has NEVER done. I was watching a movie and he came up to me and handed me the phone and said, "Dad....yes a yes!" I said, "Oh my gosh! Do you want to talk to dad?" and he said, "Yes!" I called Bret and said, "Kadin wanted me to call you!" Kadin kept it short and sweet he said, "Hi Dad!" and "Bye Dad!" I thought is was amazing that he was thinking about Bret and then put effort into finding my phone and coming and giving it to me and telling me what he wanted and that was to call his dad! This seems like a lot of steps for him to focus on and follow through. I am so proud of Kadin and I just know more good things are yet to come!
Thank God for God, He truly has blessed us on this trip. And I am so thankful for all of your prayers and kind words of encouragement. WE have an amazing support group and I do not take you guys for granted!
-Much Love :)
Today went well even though I think that we all are chomping at the bit to go home. All things considered this month has gone fast, but Monday can't come fast enough! Today, During our lunch hour Mitchell came up to me holding a (PECS) Picture of Markers with the word "Draw" on it he put it in my hand and just looked at me. I was so happy, "I said, "do you want to draw Mitchell?" and he said, "Draw" so Karin got out his markers and color books and he began to scribble. On another occasion today Mitchell came up to me and said, "Trains" and I new he wanted me to put Thomas DVD on so he could watch it. Mitchell is just doing some really great things, I am so glad Gloria and Mike were able to pay for Mitch to have treatment with my boys. I could have never done this trip without Gloria by my side! Kadin, did something today he has NEVER done. I was watching a movie and he came up to me and handed me the phone and said, "Dad....yes a yes!" I said, "Oh my gosh! Do you want to talk to dad?" and he said, "Yes!" I called Bret and said, "Kadin wanted me to call you!" Kadin kept it short and sweet he said, "Hi Dad!" and "Bye Dad!" I thought is was amazing that he was thinking about Bret and then put effort into finding my phone and coming and giving it to me and telling me what he wanted and that was to call his dad! This seems like a lot of steps for him to focus on and follow through. I am so proud of Kadin and I just know more good things are yet to come!
Thank God for God, He truly has blessed us on this trip. And I am so thankful for all of your prayers and kind words of encouragement. WE have an amazing support group and I do not take you guys for granted!
-Much Love :)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
5 days left...
Dear Readers,
The treatments went well and Fox 9 news came to our afternoon session. I think everything went well and I hope they where happy with the interviews. Tomorrow is Thursday and I am counting down the days till we get to come home. I can't wait to be in my own bed and get back into the swing of home life. I am so tired I am going to keep this blog short and sweet.
Goodniight!
The treatments went well and Fox 9 news came to our afternoon session. I think everything went well and I hope they where happy with the interviews. Tomorrow is Thursday and I am counting down the days till we get to come home. I can't wait to be in my own bed and get back into the swing of home life. I am so tired I am going to keep this blog short and sweet.
Goodniight!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Home stretch...
Dear Readers,
Tomorrow Fox News is going to be at the Center to film Kadin going into the tank and then they are going to interview Shannon the director of the center. I think after the treatment they will be interviewing me, I can't wait until it is over. I just pray that when they do the interview I can keep my answers short and to the point. We have been working on a video of our journey, during our off time from treatment here in WI and just finished it today. Thanks to Rebekah,and her "I - movie" program, we managed to complete a fun video today before she left this afternoon. Since we began the treatment Kadin has been a lot more calm, I have noticed more eye contact, and he has, on several occasions used "Expressive language" spontaneously and appropriately. I think Kadin's proverbial door is opening and I feel that he does most certainly have an opinion and a preference when it comes to what he wants and likes. This past week and a half I have defiantly been dealing with a slightly altered child. (this is a good thing!) It makes me excited to see Kadin in this light and there have been a few time I have felt, dare I say it, relaxed while at the pool or at the center. This means that lately instead of being on 24/7 alert I have felt like it has been more like 20/7 and I can go to the water cooler and fill up my bottle and not have to look over my shoulder to see Kadin booking it out the front door. Kadin has been oddly aware of me and he seems to consciously look for me if he cannot see me. As great as this sounds It feels very odd to me to know that Kadin is watching me and looking for me. His whole life he has never acted like this. He will be 6 next month and I don't know where these last years have gone. I do not pretend to think Hyperbarics is the end all and be all in Therapy's, it affects everyone differently, but I cannot deny that this is one of the BEST choices Bret and I made for our boys. It is not a fluke that the Autism symbol is a puzzle piece, I think that Hyperbarics is a piece in our boys puzzles and I thank God for allowing this to come to pass in our lives. I also think it is proving to be a corner piece in Kadin's puzzle.
Signing off...xoxo
Tomorrow Fox News is going to be at the Center to film Kadin going into the tank and then they are going to interview Shannon the director of the center. I think after the treatment they will be interviewing me, I can't wait until it is over. I just pray that when they do the interview I can keep my answers short and to the point. We have been working on a video of our journey, during our off time from treatment here in WI and just finished it today. Thanks to Rebekah,and her "I - movie" program, we managed to complete a fun video today before she left this afternoon. Since we began the treatment Kadin has been a lot more calm, I have noticed more eye contact, and he has, on several occasions used "Expressive language" spontaneously and appropriately. I think Kadin's proverbial door is opening and I feel that he does most certainly have an opinion and a preference when it comes to what he wants and likes. This past week and a half I have defiantly been dealing with a slightly altered child. (this is a good thing!) It makes me excited to see Kadin in this light and there have been a few time I have felt, dare I say it, relaxed while at the pool or at the center. This means that lately instead of being on 24/7 alert I have felt like it has been more like 20/7 and I can go to the water cooler and fill up my bottle and not have to look over my shoulder to see Kadin booking it out the front door. Kadin has been oddly aware of me and he seems to consciously look for me if he cannot see me. As great as this sounds It feels very odd to me to know that Kadin is watching me and looking for me. His whole life he has never acted like this. He will be 6 next month and I don't know where these last years have gone. I do not pretend to think Hyperbarics is the end all and be all in Therapy's, it affects everyone differently, but I cannot deny that this is one of the BEST choices Bret and I made for our boys. It is not a fluke that the Autism symbol is a puzzle piece, I think that Hyperbarics is a piece in our boys puzzles and I thank God for allowing this to come to pass in our lives. I also think it is proving to be a corner piece in Kadin's puzzle.
Signing off...xoxo
Monday, June 20, 2011
Growing Pains
Dear Readers,
I don't know how many of you have experienced growing pains when you were little but my boys seem to have them real bad. Last night Kadin was up a 3am and instead of screaming he got out of his bed and came over to mine and crawled up in my bed and said, "Owies." and he grabbed my hand and put it on his ankles and wanted me to rub them. I don't know what time he finally fell back asleep but we were up for an hour or so. I awoke with a start and looked at the clock and it was 2 min. past 8am we were suppose to be heading over to the center now and the boys were still sleeping. "Oh, Crap!" I am in for a fight to get these boys up and dressed and breakfast eaten in a min. I got Rebekah up and said, "Rebekah I over slept it is past eight we have to get the boys up ASAP!" Miracle of Miracles the boys woke up with very little complaining and I ran down to the breakfast room to grab some bacon for the boys to eat on the way out the door. Rebekah had Tanner dressed and ready to go and Kadin would only let me get him dressed. Can you believe we were out the door in 10min.! Kadin did not throw a fit there was no screaming and both boys couldn't have been better at our am treatment. In the past sudden change would have sent Kadin into a tail spin or trying to rush him anywhere would not usually go well. I do think God had a little mercy on us this morning and granted a Miracle but I also feel like this might be a positive sign that Kadin and Tanner are responding very positively to the treatment. Time will tell and I will be keeping track.
Rebekah and Crista are leaving tomorrow after our afternoon treatment we have appreciated them immensely and will miss them. Karin is coming tomorrow afternoon to help Gloria for the remainder of our stay. Six more days left! I can see the finish line it is just around the corner!
I don't know how many of you have experienced growing pains when you were little but my boys seem to have them real bad. Last night Kadin was up a 3am and instead of screaming he got out of his bed and came over to mine and crawled up in my bed and said, "Owies." and he grabbed my hand and put it on his ankles and wanted me to rub them. I don't know what time he finally fell back asleep but we were up for an hour or so. I awoke with a start and looked at the clock and it was 2 min. past 8am we were suppose to be heading over to the center now and the boys were still sleeping. "Oh, Crap!" I am in for a fight to get these boys up and dressed and breakfast eaten in a min. I got Rebekah up and said, "Rebekah I over slept it is past eight we have to get the boys up ASAP!" Miracle of Miracles the boys woke up with very little complaining and I ran down to the breakfast room to grab some bacon for the boys to eat on the way out the door. Rebekah had Tanner dressed and ready to go and Kadin would only let me get him dressed. Can you believe we were out the door in 10min.! Kadin did not throw a fit there was no screaming and both boys couldn't have been better at our am treatment. In the past sudden change would have sent Kadin into a tail spin or trying to rush him anywhere would not usually go well. I do think God had a little mercy on us this morning and granted a Miracle but I also feel like this might be a positive sign that Kadin and Tanner are responding very positively to the treatment. Time will tell and I will be keeping track.
Rebekah and Crista are leaving tomorrow after our afternoon treatment we have appreciated them immensely and will miss them. Karin is coming tomorrow afternoon to help Gloria for the remainder of our stay. Six more days left! I can see the finish line it is just around the corner!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)