Autism is a Mystery ~ Supportive Family & Friends are not!

Have you ever spent a couple hours surrounded by complete strangers that feel like family?  If so, then you know why I look forward to the Autism walk each year.  I don't have to know each of the hundreds of people's names to know that these are the people in my world that "get it."  Though we are gathering to fight one of the biggest mysteries in the world and obviously it's not a celebration of Autism, we still get excited to be surrounded by faith, hope, and A LOT of love for our children who have daily obstacles that many of us just take for granted. 

Did your kids answer the phone this morning with "hello"?  My son isn't able to do that...he is nonverbal.

Did your kids go outside to play in the yard without supervison?  My son isn't able to do that...he doesn't understand to stay in the yard and lacks safety awareness.

Did your kids buckle their own seatbelt the last time you were in the car?  My son isn't able to do that...his fine motor skills make that hard for him.

Did your kids sleep through the night?  My son isn't able to do that...something in his brain causes him to wake almost every night and he requires a medication to even help him fall asleep.

I could list a ton of examples of what most parents take for granted in their children!  But instead of listing more of those, I'd rather have you remember what my son CAN DO!

Did your kids ride their bike this week?  My son did too!

Did your kids give you a hug and kiss?  My son did too!

Did your kids play games on the computer?  My son did too!

Did your kids play with a sibling or friend this week?  My son did too!

Did your kids laugh and smile today?  My son did too!

Did your kids do a chore around the house?  My son did too!

In 8 days, we will be surrounded by families and friends that are taking time out of their busy schedule to spend a Saturday morning fighting against Autism!  Most of the people on Team Brycen will also have traveled from out of town to do so as well.  How amazing to have about 40 family and friends come together to show support for a disorder that is one of the biggest mysteries in the world and is becoming an epidemic as the diagnosis rates continue to rise year after year. 

Not only do we have some amazing 40 people surrounding Brycen that day...but we also have an outstanding number of people that have donated to this cause with their hard-earned money!  Classmates from when Mike & I were in school...to teachers & therapists that have worked with Brycen...extended family that may have never met Brycen...old & new friends...friends of friends that just want to support a good cause...past & present co-workers...to strangers that put money into the fundraising jars at the store.  Together these people donated to Team Brycen 2012 to raise an amazing $6333  as of this morning!!!  The generosity of those supporting us is beyond any expectation we had going into this just 3 years ago! 

Thank you to all of those people who found it in their hearts (and wallets) to donate to a cause that we will forever be linked to!  While Autism may still be a mystery in our lives...the friends and family that support us is most definitely not a mystery! 

There is still time to donate if you haven't already.  Below is a link that will take you directly to our team fundraising page where you can click on the names of any of the walkers or "general team" to make a donation.  If you prefer, you can also give me a check or cash and I will get it to the right people! 
http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=998348&lis=1&kntae998348=E2B0C08AF8B244E5BCCC0D842D0F7F12&team=4940637

Brycen & Mommy's Special Day

Galesburg, IL train museum---May 22, 2012---Brycen & Mommy

Since the kids are out of school already, I decided I wanted to spend some special time with each of them this week with G'ma & G'pa O's help to watch them separately so I could do so.  I wanted to plan a special trip with each of them for part of a day to someplace I think was unique to each of their likes.  Of course everybody knows Brycen has an obsession with trains, so what better place to take him to than a train museum.  Lucky for us, the town we are living in is on the Eastern side of the state which is quite close to many train depots and museums, so I chose to take Brycen to Galesburg, IL for a little day trip.  Any mention of going to see trains produces immediate happiness in him!!

So after therapy, we packed a lunch for the car and off we went to Galesburg for the afternoon.   It's about an hour and half but with Brycen that time goes by so fast as he loves being in the car especially on the interstate where he can watch semis all day!  The only "pet peeve" of his is when we are passing another vehicle...he does NOT like us to be in the left lane for too long and will begin making unhappy noises and pointing to the right lane as soon as he thinks we should move back over.  He's getting a little better about this but you can tell it causes him some anxiety :(

As soon as we got out of the car and was walking across the street to the museum, a train whistle could be heard not far away.  Brycen watched as the crossing lights started flashing and started tugging my arm very hard to walk faster! 

After the train went by, we went into the museum, but unfortunately cameras are not allowed inside.  Luckily she said I could take pictures outside on the train cars and engine that we could tour with one of the guides.  After about 20 minutes of watching a small train layout inside (and I talked to one of the workers who believes she has a 2 yr old grandson that has Autism), we went outside with one of the guides for the tour. 


Into one of the train cars

Ringing the bell

Finally looking at me for a picture in front of the engine

In the caboose

Taking the wheel...choo choo!

Holding my new pull back train from the gift shop (and posing for mommy!)

 After the museum, we ventured next door to the actual train depot where we saw a few passengers waiting to board their trains.  During the time at the museum and depot, we saw at least 5 trains go by!!  We decided to walk across the street to the Discovery Depot which is a children's museum with hands-on activities. 

One of his favorite toys ever!

Climbing through a train "tunnel"

Tree house slide

Water room...wanting the duckie to float



Climbing the wall...this was as far as he would go and then fall down on the mat & laugh!

Of course he spent the most time at the train table

Cool set up where you roll golf balls down...

...and they come rolling back on the bottom.

Off to drive another train.

"All Aboard!" says Brycen

Before leaving the Discovery Depot, we watched another train go by on the tracks before walking down the block to a little French cafe called The Landmark (the staff at the depot said it was child friendly and recommended it for it's unique food).  Brycen was happy to sit at a table by the window and watch the cars go by.  Then we headed home for an evening treat at a local ice cream place.

Drinking pop at the cafe

Eating his grilled cheese and homemade potato chips

Holding onto the handle in the car...not because of my bad driving :)

Yummy chocolate ice cream at Yums!

I mentioned "seeing the trains"...

...then we watched the video on my camera of a train and he was all smiles.

VERY happy boy after his special day with Mommy!

Walking For Autism 2012

Three weeks from today at this exact time we will be starting our 2 mile walk in support of Brycen and all others affected by Autism in Des Moines.  This is our 3rd year as Team Brycen and each year is more meaningful to us. 

As of today, Team Brycen has raised over $5100 meeting and surpassing our $5000 goal.  We will have almost 30 people walking that day in support of Brycen. 

Even though the walk takes a mere 45 minutes or so, the meaning behind that time lasts the entire year.  I know I've blogged in the past about how much this day means to us, but I don't think it can be said enough.  We have very few people in our physical life who truly understand what it means to be a parent to a child with special needs.  This will always separate us in some way from other family and friends...not in a negative way, but it just will.  Autism encompasses so much of our daily life...from the routine we have at home, to the places we can or can't go with Brycen, to who we allow to care for him.  I know there is a saying that a mother thinks twice, not just for herself but for her children.  I think parents of special needs children think three times...once for themselves, once for their child as a child, and then a third time as they take into consideration the challenges their child is presented with. 

Before, during, and after the walk on June 9, we are surrounded by parents/caregivers who "get it."  Not just for the moment, but for the lifetime.  Even though I don't know 99% of the people that will be at the walk, they are my "family."  Not that I don't cherish my blood family or my close friends, but there are different connections with this "family."  I don't wish for anyone to have to parent a child with special needs...but I do think belonging to the special needs "family" has made me a better person.  More understanding of differences in life and far less focused on the mateial things. 

Thank you for your past, present, and continued support of Brycen and our family!  We are grateful for each and everyone of you who has made a difference in our lives through prayers, donations to the walk, kind words of support on those difficult days, and cheerful words of encouragement on those positive days. 

If you would like to sign up to walk (the more the merrier!!) or make a donation in support of the team, this link will take you to Team Brycen 2012 fundraising page. 
http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=998348&lis=1&kntae998348=732D6DF1E1A8489DB2A59CFB8CD81991&team=4940637

Bye-Bye Kindergarten~~~Hello 1st Grade!

Today was the last day of school for Brycen.  He is officially a 1st grader now!!  Where has the time gone?  Can't believe he has completed 3 years of school already and will be turning 6 in two months! 

Here is one last picture of him coming home on the school bus.  This is one part of school he is definitely going to miss over the next 3 months...never thought I'd be saying that a year ago!  Next year he will not only be riding the bus home a couple days per week, but also will be riding to school each day! 

So proud of my big boy being a 1st grader now!