tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.comments2013-02-01T19:25:38.320-08:00Autism and Grace to SucceedBig Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18024550122728633950noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-47542482878808188072013-02-01T19:25:38.320-08:002013-02-01T19:25:38.320-08:00i went to school with noah and judah at fern bluff...i went to school with noah and judah at fern bluff elementary and they were almost like my best friends i really cared for them because they had autism god bless they're hearts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-70271802618867664932012-07-04T18:00:21.120-07:002012-07-04T18:00:21.120-07:00I am very passionate about children with special n...I am very passionate about children with special needs. Both of my brothers have some degree of autism. Every year I volunteer at a 4 day over night camp for children with Down Syndrome. It is a great time and a wonderful way to honor their parents. <br /><br />I am a part of Elevation Church. We are partner with the Down Syndrome Association of the Greater Charlotte. We have a great number of children at all of our campuses that have Down Syndrome. There isn't much that I love more than seeing a child with special needs in our children's ministry.<br /><br />I hate to hear that you have had bad experiences at churches and their children's ministry. That breaks my heart<br /><br />PS - Thanks for stopping by my blog. I enjoy your writing and can't wait to read more!Keirstinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11886931703393991826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-80272247806704436412012-06-11T11:50:28.464-07:002012-06-11T11:50:28.464-07:00My nephew has autism and I am so very proud of him...My nephew has autism and I am so very proud of him. I have seen through the years how people's attitudes and behaviors towards him have changed. There will always be people who do not understand autism and for some reason shy away, you simply have to let it go and ask God to help them see their ignorance. There are so many wonderful organizations now that were not in place when he was born 23 years ago. Best Buddies has been a remarkable tool for him in high school. My sister and brother-in-law's church has been so very wonderful, they have embraced all the wonderful eccentric behavior. <br />There have been good days, bad days and in between days. I have shared my sister's frustrations but trust me in time things always get better. This past weekend Kev won three swimming races at the Special Olympics. He has graduated from high school and has recently been accepted to a special certificate program at George Mason University. The world, people are changing for the better, they simply need to be educated on Autism, and it is happening. <br />Kev has helped me and everyone around him see the world in a way we never would have and he is most definitely an amazing gift from God.<br />Have faith in people, never give up.Out Here in My Worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16094905194485714814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-84992106340570388122012-06-10T20:21:01.994-07:002012-06-10T20:21:01.994-07:00I felt like crying as I read this. As a parent of ...I felt like crying as I read this. As a parent of a child with autism, I can relate your stories with things I've seen as he's grown up. I've often wished that more understood & where more open to those who are different from them. I hope that some of those people read this & recognize themselves in this post, maybe it will give them a different perspective on their actions & the pain they cause.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03040149132251029332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-54969199462633193052012-06-09T15:18:36.059-07:002012-06-09T15:18:36.059-07:00I completely understand where you are coming from ...I completely understand where you are coming from with this post and love your challenge. I have 7 children, 3 who have autism, 1 who has Down syndrome and 1 who has a dual dx of autism and Down syndrome. I struggle daily with the way people stare at us, interact with us or even comment to us. Many people are kind, but there is always the ones that blow my mind how rude they came be. I've actually written 2 blog posts recently describing my feelings on this very subject. Here is the 2 links to my posts if you'd like to read them: http://www.ourversionofnormal.blogspot.com/2012/01/feeling-bit-lost-in-perfect-world.html and http://www.ourversionofnormal.blogspot.com/2012/05/church-not-sure-where-we-fit-in.htmlLizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06763613393602838785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-17348720599870137262012-06-06T16:46:09.369-07:002012-06-06T16:46:09.369-07:00Oh, that was hard to read. I agree, as followers ...Oh, that was hard to read. I agree, as followers of Jesus we need to find a way to include families of all shapes, sizes and needs. We have a MOPS group at our church too and it is brilliant. I'm going to take your post personally and look for ways to include families with different needs. Thanks for telling us how it feels to be locked out. Wishing you a lovely park with good mums to play at today (it's sunny here today, hope it is where you are too)... graceArt House Mumhttp://arthousemum.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-90252314040472349442012-06-05T16:40:47.929-07:002012-06-05T16:40:47.929-07:00I am a Family Nurse Practitioner and we have a son...I am a Family Nurse Practitioner and we have a son that is 14 with high functioning Asperger's syndrome. People don't really understand his idiosyncrasies and think that he is just being rude. I see autistic children in my office and often parents are offended if I ask if their child has been screened due to behaviors I see. No one wants to find out that their child is not perfect, but the earlier we catch it, the earlier we can try to intervene and help the parents and children adapt. I am sorry that you and your kids had to feel ostracized. Autism is not "catchy"!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03879069463960748178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-46791969380055482082012-06-05T11:04:35.322-07:002012-06-05T11:04:35.322-07:00I am a retired pediatric RN - sure hope they find ...I am a retired pediatric RN - sure hope they find out more about autism - what causes it and what can be done. The Lord has the answers and wish we had more! Thanks for sharing your heart with your readers!!!Marijo (Mary Jo) Phelpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03659679357546154229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-65629850983242473222012-06-03T17:32:59.822-07:002012-06-03T17:32:59.822-07:00Ahhh, yes, "Fatcat", you are so right. ...Ahhh, yes, "Fatcat", you are so right. I suppose that goes with parenthood in general, as well. On a personal note, I can usually roll with the punches. Every so often someone finds that "chink" in my proverbial armour; therefore, I do need to hear those kinds of words of wisdom. Thank you for your encouragement!Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16555523686499294309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-27346853507523936282012-06-03T14:54:22.929-07:002012-06-03T14:54:22.929-07:00I think probably for your own mental health, you n...I think probably for your own mental health, you need to treat this like water off a duck's back. Educate those who are educable and let the others just go. <br /><br />Sorry you had to go through this.Fatcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10687367589610368444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-26622910721107916102012-06-03T12:01:43.214-07:002012-06-03T12:01:43.214-07:00I definitely agree with you, Carl. Our experiences...I definitely agree with you, Carl. Our experiences in life are certainly opportunities to draw closer and know more intimately the One who has purposed all things, including our children with special needs. <br /><br />Thank you for your insight!Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16555523686499294309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-52381403099626701472012-06-02T15:46:01.175-07:002012-06-02T15:46:01.175-07:00I think I am the husband of anonymous. She todl m...I think I am the husband of anonymous. She todl me to read your blog post. our oldest who just turned 6 has taught me so much. i am truly blessed to have all my children. there is so mcuh to say but I will just end by saying that you are no alone. That others want to scream when others treat chidlren of special needs so unkindly. However I think that even when that happens God uses it to help me become more like Him. God bless.carlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-34552645895518634462012-06-02T14:25:10.117-07:002012-06-02T14:25:10.117-07:00Thank you, "Anonymous", for your comment...Thank you, "Anonymous", for your comment. I really appreciate hearing what others are thinking and going through in their lives. We, too, since moving to the Austin area five years ago, have found a wonderful church to attend. In fact, there are a few churches in our area who have Sunday morning ministries for individuals with special needs. Our ministry is called "Pathways"; it sounds very similar to what your church does. I probably should have added that to my post, but I didn't want to come across as though I were "marketing our church", although, for those who are looking, I suppose that wouldn't have been the worst thing, either! <br /><br />Thank you so, so much for commenting! I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me. Thank you for encouraging me!Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16555523686499294309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-90426001898985873722012-06-02T12:38:49.109-07:002012-06-02T12:38:49.109-07:00I am a brand new reader of your blog and this was ...I am a brand new reader of your blog and this was passed onto me by a friend who attends church with me. I just wanted to say thank you for both your rant AND your challenge. Two of our three boys have autism and are INCREDIBLY blessed to have an amazing, amazing church that has not only welcomed us and loved on us but got out of their way to support us. Our oldest son has a buddy (church members on a rotating schedule) who shadows him through Sunday school and Worship training (Children's Church). They have gone out of their way to get to know our boys and to not be frightened (because that's what the insensitivity and lack of kindness from other's boils down to, right? Being frightened of something they don't understand) because they are different. Do I get some looks when we're in public? Sure. Do I want a shirt made up for the boys that says, "I have Autism so I apologize for my flapping arms, vocalizations, strange behavior, and inability to play the way you want me to?" Absolutely (but that would be a really, really long t-shirt-LOL). I cannot imagine being on this journey with out Jesus by my side. He is faithful and he made each and every one of our babies exactly the way he wanted them.<br /><br />Sorry to go on and on but just want to thank you for your words of encouragement and your words of challenge. I'll be making everyone I know read this!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-39035801896394421562011-11-23T09:37:18.736-08:002011-11-23T09:37:18.736-08:00Oh, Erin, it's such a hard place to be sometim...Oh, Erin, it's such a hard place to be sometimes, but once I'm "there", I don't want to leave! Miss you tons and tons. Love and hugs to you, Wes, and the girls!Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16555523686499294309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-48831390509523267472011-11-08T19:09:46.753-08:002011-11-08T19:09:46.753-08:00Love this, Becky. I can totally relate to having ...Love this, Becky. I can totally relate to having that feeling - and you're right - the "reality check" comes when we are already in over our heads. But I love how you say this leaves us with one option - to trust God and move forward. You are so right! Loved this.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03328620310587748181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-69310957043547319662011-11-08T17:55:52.665-08:002011-11-08T17:55:52.665-08:00This is awesome! I've often thought that faith...This is awesome! I've often thought that faith was like waiting for that drop, knowing you're safe even though you're scared out of your mind... Thanks for reminding me of God's awesome truth.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17873663489636121279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-80114192037072970542011-10-10T17:48:56.625-07:002011-10-10T17:48:56.625-07:00first of all, that's awesome. second.... they ...first of all, that's awesome. second.... they can recover those pictures! take your camera into a photo place and there is some degree of memory on your camera they can recover usually!Annaliesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12299473851209806392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-36632208975235235252011-10-10T17:14:52.696-07:002011-10-10T17:14:52.696-07:00Wow, Becky! This post has made me so excited for y...Wow, Becky! This post has made me so excited for you and encouraged and challenged and happy. Thanks so much for sharing what God is doing in your family. Love you guys!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17873663489636121279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-9682451589585604742010-06-16T07:55:13.144-07:002010-06-16T07:55:13.144-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Jodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-70757450857721922132010-06-15T11:45:33.347-07:002010-06-15T11:45:33.347-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-17517015133087120612010-06-14T21:07:27.840-07:002010-06-14T21:07:27.840-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Amandanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-44069118100603269002010-06-14T10:27:19.836-07:002010-06-14T10:27:19.836-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.cindynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-91491973887318409482010-06-14T05:38:23.560-07:002010-06-14T05:38:23.560-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Michhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13711736309445548019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824638355575213334.post-42467356232047626932010-06-14T04:41:39.807-07:002010-06-14T04:41:39.807-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Bethnoreply@blogger.com