This has been a rough summer.
Jonathan has been booted (or nearly booted) from everything we've enrolled him in. Twice in the past few weeks, I've gotten calls to come pick him up, and told he was not welcome to participate. This has broken my heart.
My son is a wonderful 8 year old boy with high functioning autism, very smart and is usually pretty easily redirected. Following the last incident (he was asked not to return to church camp after the first day), he said, "Mom, we need to try all the camps in Tennessee to find one who wants me. I need to have fun someplace."
There is a community center about an hour's drive from my house, that we've taken Jonathan to once in a while. They have a "Kid's Night Out" on Friday nights once a month. So we drop him off for that, and have a date night. This place is awesome. Has several swimming pools, a huge gym, a bowling alley, etc. Plus, the new director interned teaching autistic children!! (The camp and KNO programs are not specifically for special needs, however). I called her,and asked if she thought Jonathan could participate in a week of camp. She was absolutely sure he was welcome, and had no doubt everything would be fine.
Here I am in a hotel room in Pigeon Forge, and my son is in the camp. He is loving it, and they are loving him. The director just called me to tell me how good he's doing. He beat all the kids his age in a swimming relay!! (Aquatic Man has appeared again!) He's cooperating, following instructions, being polite, asking permission, and making friends. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!
I cried after her phone call...this time because of joy. We are so blessed to have found this place. Does a Mama's heart good!
My goofy son trying to look like a shark!
I am...
Donna
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4 comments:
If it's any consolation [which it probably isn't] we have been asked to leave from so many different places, I've lost count.
For this summer I've decided just to batten down the hatches and keep them home.
Cheers
I know it's difficult -- but this week has obviously been a blessing. So, YEAH God!!!
How awesome - it is just such a load off your shoulders to have an experience like this - so glad you found a good place that he likes!
I wonder often why certain people were chosen to raise special needs children.
(OK, so usually it's more like, "Why ME, Lord?")
My son will turn 30 this year and is celebrating his 3rd month living in his own apartment. The "professionals" told me he would never be able to function outside of an institution.
I want to encourage you to continue to blog about your experiences. When I was "in the trenches" there were no blogs or social networking sites for me to find other parents of special needs children to talk things over with. You will probably never know how important what you are doing is, but I can assure you that your words will change lives and change outcomes.
Blessings of abundance and joy to your and your house.
Janelle (the CCGAL)
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