NAVIGATING THE SPECTRUM

Where are you in all of this, God?

2009-06-27T09:08:00.002-04:00

I try very hard not to bemoan my circumstances, but every so often I wonder if anyone cares about our family. I often hear people in our family wonder aloud how do I handle this...how does she do it every day...she needs help...or just the proverbial -- that sucks! What is amazing to me is the amount of help that presents itself, which is almost nonexistent.

Raising small children is demanding both physically and emotionally. It drains parents of sleep and energy. Add a special needs child into the mix and the demands can be staggering.

I'm not saying that I don't love and enjoy my kids because I very much do, but it would be great, maybe once every few years, to get away for an overnight with my husband. Just so that we can remember that we do like each other and that we are still adult individuals with needs outside of our kids.

The divorce rate of parents of children with Autism is eighty percent! That is a HUGE number! I can see why.

MOTHERS...

2009-05-08T23:52:00.004-04:00

God bless all mothers on this Mother's Day weekend! Being a mother is the best gift in the world!

BASEBALL 2009

2009-05-08T23:48:00.004-04:00

It's baseball season again...Connor is in the Minor League and Ryan is playing his first year of tee ball...should be an interesting season!

SIX

2009-05-08T23:46:00.002-04:00

I CAN'T BELIEVE MY LITTLE RYAN IS SIX YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!!!!

Love...

2009-04-11T22:08:00.004-04:00

I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter...and I'd like to thank Jesus for his ultimate sacrifice, and for showing me what true love really is...God Bless...

A "Special" Person

2009-03-21T06:08:00.000-04:00

No Excuse

2009-03-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

While I don't offend easily, I must admit that President Obama has finally done it. His offhand comment comparing his bowling game to the Special Olympics callous and thoughtless. This man is the leader of our country, which includes people of all races, genders and yes...abilities. Perhaps Mr. Obama should consider that he is now a role model to many people, and in a position of great authority. Or, perhaps he should just stick to what he does best...speaking WITH teleprompters!

I'M THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-17T18:42:00.000-04:00

Holden had a FABULOUS birthday! Thanks to Grandma Sue, Grandma Debbie/Granddaddy Brance, Grandpa Kim/Grandma Patty for the terrific gifts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BLESSINGS...

2009-03-16T18:58:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that our little man will be three tomorrow...I CLEARLY remember his tiny little face staring at mine, our introduction, if you will. I call him a true gift from God...he was a light in a very dark time for our family. God knew what we needed...and gave us a baby with a personality and temperment that fit into our family like a missing piece of a puzzle! What a blessing! God is good...we love you!

IEP...UGH...

2009-03-09T22:26:00.000-04:00

It's that time of the year again...the time that all special needs parents dread...IEP season! IEP stands for Individual Education Plan. This is essentially the legal binding contract between a student receiving special education services (and their parent/guardian) and the school system. This document contains all special accomodations that are to be provided to the child by the school system.Seems pretty cut-and-dry, right. Not even close!

Unfortunately we discovered this the hard way this year. Ryan's IEP was developed with language that stated (in special ed lingo) among other things that Ryan should be provided with a one-on-one aid to help him navigate his day. We have been fighting for months to get him this service.

It has been frustrating and overwhelming at times to navigate all of the beurocracy in the school system...and unfortunately this seems to be the norm when dealing with these situations. It is unfair and frankly it just stinks for everyone!

We are not giving up and are optimistic that this will be resolved favorably and soon, but in the meantime, Ryan is the one who loses out. The thing that angers me most is that the school system seems to write-off kids like Ryan. They're never going to amount to anything anyway...right??? Wrong!

When we began this journey, Ryan had no verbal skills or social skills. He tantrumed constantly. Now he has language skills, and the ability to keep pace with his peers if he's just given a little extra help. What an amazing accomplishment...he's worked so hard!

I've never treated Ryan as disabled, and I don't use that word in this house. Ryan is treated as a typical child who has all the potential in the world...and no school system will ever stand in his way!!!!!!!!!!!

Snowy Day

2009-01-19T13:57:00.001-05:00

Ah, Snow days...they're not what they used to be for me, but the three amigos sure did have fun!

NINE

2009-01-15T18:05:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that I have a nine-year-old child...it seems like only yesterday I was getting my first epidural!;-)

NINE

2009-01-15T18:02:00.001-05:00

I can't believe that I have a nine-year-old child...it seems like yesterday that I was getting my first epidural!;-)

Remembering Jack

2009-01-09T19:00:00.000-05:00

John McCulloch passed away yesterday. Aside from being Cole's grandfather, Jack was also a wonderful person. He was all of the things that most people are not anymore -- a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was kind, considerate, and incredibly generous in many ways. He loved Cole and the kids and (I hope) me:)...and the feeling was mutual. Rest in peace, my dear friend, and I look forward to seeing you again someday...

A New Year

2009-01-02T19:52:00.000-05:00

I am generally against making New Year's resolutions; however, this year I'm making an exception. I really want to live by the mantra "Less is More." It is my goal to spend less, have less and enjoy the simple things in life MORE!

Christmas in Kentucky

2008-12-29T16:03:00.000-05:00

This was the first year that our family decided to travel for Christmas. I have always maintained that children should be able to enjoy Christmas in their own environment; however, I changed my mind at the LAST possible moment this year and decided to go...go...go...

It was wonderful to see everyone, especially Katie -- such a cute little bug! We miss you, Louisville McCullochs!

EXHAUSTED

2008-12-18T18:59:00.000-05:00

We're exhausted in the McCulloch house...a stomach virus hit our house...which resulted in one trip to the hospital (Connor), lots of illin' and NO sleep! I would love to have just a couple of nights of uninterrupted tranquility.

2008-12-18T18:58:00.000-05:00

2008-12-18T18:54:00.000-05:00

No Fair...you're mean!

2008-12-15T13:39:00.000-05:00

This is the phrase that I've heard ALL weekend...I guess I should get used to it;-)

SICK

2008-12-13T08:35:00.000-05:00

Ryan has the stomach flu. Plese keep him in your prayers...autism and the stomach flu just DON'T mix!!!!!

MIAMI BEACH

2008-12-11T21:42:00.000-05:00

Oh, I miss you so right now...

Green is Great!

2008-12-11T15:10:00.001-05:00

When I was deciding what template to use, I was reminded that green is Ryan's favorite color. He loves all things green...who doesn't??? Think about all of the wonderful things in the world that are green! Grass in the summertime, football turf, putting "greens," and....oh yeah, MONEY! Tis the season to give people, so I challenge each of you to find ONE WORTHY cause...and go green....

A NEW PROJECT

2008-12-11T14:45:00.000-05:00

As I sat inside on this dreary winter day, I began to think about something my sister-in-law suggested a while ago -- "why don't you start a blog?" Because I'm too busy to continue it in the proper way...well, no I'm not...not right now. So, since I was bored today, I thought I'd start typing away...