a little background

hi, my name is mandy and I have two amazing little boys. My oldest son, Ty, has been diagnosed with autism (which is what you will read most about in this blog); I also have Tripp, who is an amazing little brother to Ty (who you will also hear alot about). I was encouraged to start this blog to document our journey through life and life with autism... my world has been rocked in last few years and i have responded in good ways and bad ... but Jesus has gotten me through all of it...





i hope i can be an encouragement to you, and for the friends and family that will read this - maybe this will keep you posted indepth on what Ty is learning! :) and the adventures of Tripp too





thank you for reading, and if you have any questions, comments or smart remarks; feel free to post them.



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

free speech isn't all that free

So I'm not the type to back down from a fight, most would agree that I can argue and go toe to toe with just about anybody - or they would at least agree that I think I can and that I will surely not back down until I felt my point has been made and whatever it is I am fighting for has been accomplished.  That being said, I still think daycare sucks and "the system" is trying but it's a joke when it comes to kids with special needs of any kind.
There are people out there who really try and there are people who really care. We have met and we have worked with and still work with lots of people like this, but we have fought to get there.  The past week has been a little crazy to say the least.  There are alot of things I would like to tell you and alot of names I would like to write, and on a bad day I may do just that. Heck if you catch me in public I might tell you what I think. But not here... free speech isn't all that free. Yes I can say what I want but then "someone" may or may not agree with it and then ... well thats just something i'd rather not waste my time on at the moment...
I have bigger battles and I would rather my attention be focussed on the task at hand - my boys.  Ty is the reason I started this blog and I will continue to fight for everything he needs and if my name becomes mud because of it I really don't care.  I won't stand by knowing that there are educators and care givers who only want to do enough to get by, please if you are reading this and debating on a career in the world of a special needs child or individual or a job caring for any living individual - but are only doing it for the money or recognition.... please don't do it... if you don't love kids, if you don't love people.... don't assume this is easy - you need to be a strong person mentally, at times physically strong, you have to be patient, slow to anger, you have to have a huge heart, etc.... if you are lacking in any of these I don't mean to sound harsh. But please consider a new career or job, don't passively assist children who seek for every inch of you and who need not only your full and undivided attention but who also need a place in your heart. Children are gifts from God and they should be cherished, every child, even those that are hard to understand.

We are still searching for someone to watch the boys and have a few leads so prayers are definitely appreciated ... thanks for reading

And I appreciate all of the love & support over the past week from all of you! You have no idea how much it means to me and our family! I love yall

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Daycare....

Well, I'm mad, pissed, ticked off....Daycare sux! The whole thing is a racket, they take advantage of the fact that most working couples or single parents need them and then they run with it. So we are on our 5th daycare (Ty is 4 Tripp is 3): our first sitter was awesome, but then she got a job :) we still love her though. Then lets just say the next 3 didn't work out for various reasons (we weren't kicked out, but timing with Ty's diagnosis  made us continue to search for a new place.) The daycare the boys were at recently...was great, up until now. I mean really we are an ideal customer - Ty only goes monday and friday and every now and then he will go for a few hours on tuesday and wednesday in the morning before therapy, it just all depends on whose taking him and everyones schedule, etc. (we pay full price) But lately they have called me on the days he's there a full day and asked me to come get him bc he is crying and they don't know whats wrong.  This typically happens at nap time. I've talked with them about it and they have said that nothing has changed and they want to blame it on his therapy schedule and him being at two places messes up his schedule at daycare. Now I know that routine is good, but Ty has done great there he would even walk to his mat and lay down for a nap, so something changed and they claim nothing has on their end? However I know that they switched his nap room and that he isn't allowed a pillow or blanket? They've been at this daycare for over a year and Ty has had some bad days, but now it's daily (the two days he goes full time) I have met with them and met with them about how to work with Ty. I have offered his iPad and other options to just get passed nap time but nothing seems to satisfy them. It's like they just want to keep saying "No, we've done everything we can" "We love him, he is our angel and we would hate to lose him, but we hope Tripp still can come" BLAH! (insert anger and flames rising in my eyes). He was there for 15 minutes this past monday and they already called to say he was upset and I needed to come, we paid them in a check that morning as always but they requested cash.(sam refused). Before I could get to the daycare she wanted to know if I had the cash and she'd give me back our check - It's 7:45 banks aren't open - um no, I do not, you can cash a check. When I got there I calmed him down, talked to the workers and as I left, he waved goodbye so I know he was happy, but she told me as I was walking out, we will probably call you at nap time?!!!!! They don't even give him a chance??? So they called at nap time, I left work to pick them up at 1:30 and that's when the rejection started. I had a long talk with the owner about things to do, but I could tell that it didn't matter what I said, her mind was made up. Imagine a cute little disney character with such a sweet voice telling you in a round about way that they love your child and he is amazing and they want to make sure that you find someone who will care for him and not mistreat him, and to find someone who will work with him and let him participate and not be ignored.... but that he's not welcome here. Tripp is... but not Ty. It's just probably best for him to be somewhere else. (end of the sweet little voice)
If you know me you know what I'm thinking, you know that I am burning red and if possible would shoot fire out of my eyes, you know that I want to jump up, fight and beat them into submission! I want to say...I'm sorry but you obviously don't care about my kid, or you would try... you wouldn't let a little ruckus at nap time mess with his awesomeness. I asked them if he hurt anyone or himself? The answer is no, he's just disruptive at nap time. They even tell me how great he does during arts and crafts?! REALLY????? Then what is the real issue here? What is really going on??? Their response - "we just don't know, we've tried everything" I would tell you what my mother in law and step mom say about this, but let's just say it's not appropriate! Don't mess with my family - I can be your worst nightmare!
So what do you do? Is it discrimination? I have friends and family that say "yes". But we don't want them to be there now because we know that they don't want him there. So how do you handle this in a way that the good guy wins? How is it ok for them to up and decide - no we aren't going to do this anymore? He's been there for over a year!? They constantly praise his improvements and even offered just two weeks ago to keep him longer if we couldn't find a K5???? I wouldn't be so mad if they weren't two faced. Just tell me like it is, don't sugar coat anything! And you really really don't need to tell me that one of my children are welcome but the other is not?!!!!! AHHH! I guess I'll just be mad for a while and continue to search for a new place.... prayers and suggestions are appreciated! :)