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Fabric with Lots of Love - Lilahroo's

3/12/2014

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I have the wonderful opportunity to help out another great organization with some fabric to continue their mission. This time it is for Lilahroo's! Monica makes these precious, cozy, comfy and just wonderful blankets for children fighting medical challenges.

Do we have one? No - but my, oh my, you can just see from her photos and stories of children that have received one just how comfy they are! As someone who has made blankets for years, these are great quality, with wonderful fabrics. Cozy flannel on top and super soft minky on the back...perfect blanket ingredients!

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Here is Autumn with her gown and Lilahroo while at her clinic appointment! Doesn't she look super cozy there?!

There website to learn more about what they do, who they are, how to support and even all the stories from families that have received a blanket from Lilahroo's is:

http://www.lilahroos.com/


They are also on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lilahroos/621064347914209

So since the kiddos and I are getting a lot closer to moving time and we've been holding onto some of these fabrics for a while now, without any requests to use them for, here are the cozy flannels we had to send Monica's way and even a minky fabric too:
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They will be on their way shortly - as in probably tomorrow's mail!!
Can't wait to see what little ones get wrapped up in a cozy blankie made from these fabrics.
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Sharing with Angel Love Boxes

1/13/2014

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This past summer these little ones of mine got a really awesome surprise in the mail - it was this big box filled with goodies for each of them and something a little extra special, for our special little man.

The organization is called Angel Love Boxes - they provide care packages to children with special needs and their siblings! Each month they have a certain amount of little ones they put boxes together for and they also help with certain medical equipment/items/devices that may be beneficial to them as well.

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Here is some of the goodies that were sent in our box. The items they have each month vary based on donations of items themselves, sponsor donated items and the specific needs of the child, but also they are based with the interest of each child the box is for (and their siblings too).


My little red head was upset I wouldn't let her play with her items until I got a picture of everything...mean mommy I suppose. But I knew one day I would want pictures to share and promote Angel Love Boxes through Gracie's Gowns as well.

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So here is where we are sharing with Angel Love Boxes - and giving back to the organization that gave my little guys such a wonderful summer surprise!

This Thomas the Train item is a weighted blanket. For those that don't know or haven't read back through, he was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum and also has several sensory related issues and it was recommended to us that a weighted blanket might be beneficial to him. He loves his blanket (and so does mommy at times even) and it has helped with some of the sensory issues he has at night. If it wasn't for his occupational therapist suggesting it, I would never have thought about it. We received our blanket when Angel Love Boxes first started making them - and the quality is amazing. It washed great as well!

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You can see the detail here in the stitching where each section is sewn and filled evenly to divide the weight evenly throughout the whole blanket. 

I had tried making one several months prior to even hearing about Angel Love boxes and it was an epic fail...which remind me I need to take it apart and either fix it or just make it into a regular blanket...add that to the to-do list for when there is extra hours in a day.

So for Angel Love Boxes we have several pieces of fabric measuring around a yard and more to send as our family's way to say thank you for our box, but also as Gracie's Gowns and saying thank you for your love and support of us throughout the past year! This box is fairly heavy and packed to the gills with fabric, so once we have some extra shipping money we will be sending it out. Here are some of the fabrics that will be making their way south to Alabama!
Have a wonderful everyone!

Jessica
Gracie's Gowns
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Waste Not and Pay it Forward

1/11/2014

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This time last month we were gathering fabric to be sent out to other organizations (which we still have fabric that we can do that with) and we mailed it out just before Christmas - well we're at it again with some more of our remnant pieces of fabric.

So where's it going? Well it is going to a lovely family we know, and many of you may as well - they also take stuffed animals and create companions for children, that are just as unique as they are.

If you guessed Healing Helpers then you are 100% correct!

As I briefly mentioned in our last blog - the kiddos and myself are moving early this summer - so operation clean-up, organize and get ready to start moving is taking place...you wouldn't believe the amount of stuff we manage to accumulate in our tiny little house. So in that - we had some very new stuffies in need of a great home! The kids were more than excited to know they would be going to the place that made David's piggy.

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Here is some of the fabric remnants being sent for pouches, I am of course partial to the Riley Blake fabric from the Pieces of Hope collection (a portion of the sales were donated to Autism Speaks). I thought it was perfect for the kiddos that their heart will represent them being diagnosed on the spectrum.

Below are the other fabrics we finished filling the box with. Once we have the extra shipping funds available we will send this box on its way to Oregon where Healing Helpers is located.

Pretty fabrics right?!
Hope they make some really awesome pouches for Healing Helpers and make some little ones really happy with their new companions!


Have a fabulous day and weekend,
Jessica

Gracie's Gowns
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Healing Helpers: Comfort, Education and Friendship

11/2/2013

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I have been wanting to spotlight Healing Helpers for a long time now...but as is with life, it gets in the way and well I am finally at the library, without kiddos and can sit down and write out a couple of blogs...so I am starting with them before it closes today.


On a personal level and a professional level I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...did I mention LOVE? Healing Helpers! Lani-Lee and Michael and all their precious children have become so near and dear to me over the last year and some it isn't funny. 


The idea of using stuffed animals, which ever child has at least one they MUST drag with them everywhere they go, or at least have for naps and bedtime and turning them into a teaching tool for special needs and medically complex children is fantastic! They are practical, functional and beyond all else really help show your child (when and how they can understand) what they have been through in life. This is my son and his Healing Helper piggie (that he calls Piggie or Oinker depending on his mood I suppose). David was the first kiddo to receive one with an Autism heart - because that is his diagnosis and what he battles everyday, he has had surgery and leg braces, but this is what mattered most to me - his heart...the soul of who he is. His diagnosis does not define him, rather he defines it and it helps make him the special little-big man that he is! David loves his piggie and enjoys showing the heart off to others, showing his name and the Thomas the Train pouch inside it (he loves Thomas the Train too) and just snuggling with it at night. It has become his friend when he is hurt or we have to go to specialist we haven't been too before.

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So that was on the personal level - oh plus they are so awesome to talk to on the phone and seriously spent HOURS of time with me on the phone when things went all crazy in July here with Gracie's Gowns. They were my rock, they really helped get me through that week at times!


Now professionally - we have teamed up with Healing Helpers in making smaller "animal sized" hospital gowns. These are ordered through Healing Helpers when someone orders one or just orders the gown if they already have one. This was the first Healing Helpers gown and of course was made for precious Annabelle when she had her most recent open heart surgery. It matched the gown that we made for Annabelle to wear. Since then we have made some others - and have a couple more to make as well. So I am just going to share some of the picture that they've posted of the gowns with and without their Healing Helpers.

To learn more about Healing Helpers or to even inquire and place an order for one, please visit their links below:


Website: http://www.healinghelpers147.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/healinghelpers
Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/healinghelpers

They also accept donations of materials, like new or new stuffed animals and monetary donations as well. They have a sponsorship program too and are looking to do so many more great things in the future with Healing Helpers! 
So stop by and see how you can help them out too! That is how I first was connected with them was through donating stuffed animals and fabric scraps from gowns and other projects to be used for their pouches!
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Busy Buddy by Bee Brave

8/18/2013

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This amazing tray with a removable pillow that also becomes an amazing storage keeper is called a Busy Buddy - the amazing mother, daughter team behind it is called Bee Brave!

Our son David, was a recipient of a Busy Buddy - he is autistic (you can read back through the blogs and find his full story) and we spend two hours in the car every trip to therapy, every appointment, every specialist and every testing...which this summer was three days a week...for him, it is boring and frankly he hates it!

I cannot tell you how much he LOVES this - he can use it at home on his lap to color (we don't have much table space, and he can take it away from the girls), he uses it in the car, he can hide his most treasured possessions inside the pouch for the pillow (it has a zipper)...and well it worked great for mommy when I was laid up in bed and I was able to write out the new requests for gowns even.


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David is pretty picky about what he likes - what child isn't right?! I had just made him a special little bean bag seat/ottoman thing...lol. And this was the fabric he picked out for it. The amazing part of his Busy Buddy, was I was able to send in this fabric and her mother made the pillow with it! David was so excited to see his "moo cows," "piggie" and tractor on the fabric.


Melissa went one step farther and matched the painting on the tray to the fabric as well! Once again - he was in HEAVEN! It was so great to see his face light up when it arrived in the mail and it was perfect timing as we had therapy the next day! But he wanted to take it outside to play with his trucks in the sandbox instead...lol.

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So we compromised - he is David with his Busy Buddy!

He was allowed to take it outside with him, but it had to stay with mommy, I wasn't about to have sand start coming out the zipper pocket...lol.



He doesn't always smile, but he wanted to say "mooooo" as his picture was being taken. The boy loves cows, what can I say? He wants to be a cowboy when he grows up.


When I sent in David's fabric for his Busy Buddy we also went a couple steps farther and created a wonderful bond and work relationship on the Gracie's Gowns end with Bee Brave.

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We sent all this amazing fabric over to Bee Brave to help make the pillows for other children, teens and adults that end up being on their sponsorship list!


Of course, it is mostly all scraps from gowns that have been made for children by Gracie's Gowns. Some of our gowns we have lots left over, and this is the case with these fabrics, but we also sent lots of smaller pieces to use as well for their mini stress relievers!


We filled up a diaper box of fabric and mailed it out to Melissa and her mom and something even more amazing is stemming from this too!

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We are participating in CureFest 2013 in Washington D.C. - it is an event sponsored by The Truth 365 to bring awareness and support for Pediatric Cancer.


The event is on September 1st, 2013 and all of the participating organizations, work with children who have cancer, fund pediatric cancer research, promote awareness, etc.


Bee Brave - is sending us 50 mini stress relievers for our goodie bags to distribute throughout the time of the event! We wanted to help promote other organizations that are small like us, but work with children who have cancer, and just chronically ill children as well and let them not only put informational materials in our bags, but include a little item too!


Melissa sent me this picture of some of the ones heading our way here soon! All I can think of when I see this is the precious kiddos that received gowns from the same fabrics and it makes me tear up, knowing they have inspired something so amazing in my own heart and really and truly are the heartbeat that keeps Gracie's Gowns running!

If your organization isn't attending CureFest and would like to include an item and informational materials in our goodie bags, we are putting together 50 bags. The items need to be at my house no later than the 29th of August so I can get them put in the bags.


Direct sales companies are allowed to include an item, but I am only taking one representative per company - and you must include a sample item with your information. Please contact me BEFORE sending anything, just to make sure I don't have another representative already - and that I need to keep my eye out for a package - same with any organization.
To learn more about Bee Brave you can visit their 
Facebook Page at (stop by and send them some love, Gracie's Gowns style of course):
https://www.facebook.com/beebrave2013



And their website is:
http://www.beebrave.org

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Heroes with Grace: William

6/29/2013

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William, or Liam as he is more popularly called is a handsome two year old boy that has been diagnosed with Mucopolysaccharidosis or abbreviated as MPS.

It is a rare disease and one that makes every day a battle, every day unknown and every day full of adventures.

Liam also suffers from conditions related to the MPS. These include: food allergies, an arachnoid cyst in his Right Cerebellopontine Angle Cistern with enlarged space around it, Ataxia, Arthritis, Bilateral Dislocated Hips (with Defective ossification, dysplastic acetabella, & damage to his iliac wings bilaterally), Chronic Regression, finger clinidactyly bilaterally,  Developmental Delay, irregular Gait, Hypersensitivity, Hypotonia, Hearing Loss, Osteoponia, Plagiocephaly, Seizures and he is also nonverbal.

So much for such little ones to go through. Fortunately he has a great family and friend support to help get through each event and make every moment count. It has not been an easy road and there has been lots of obstacles to climb in his two years here on Earth. Liam has been poked and prodded his whole life trying to find answers and find out what's wrong; but he is blessed to only have had 1 surgery so far. He had emergency surgery to repair his inlingual and umbilical cord hernias at 4 months old. He was transported from one children's hospital to another that would be able to handle doing this emergency surgery while he was in ICU battling RSV. His surgery was only supposed to take 30-45 minutes but ended up taking almost 3 hours, as they had to fight to safe his left testicle due to all the fluid buildup cutting off the blood flow to it. Luckily it was saved and he was released after being in the hospital for a month.

In the future Liam will have to have hip surgery on both hips in a few weeks time and a total hip replacement if those surgeries don't fix his problems. There will be many more surgeries in the future, but Liam and his family are just taking them one at a time.

Liam's mom described their most frightening and most exciting moment in their journey with MPS so far like this:

The most frightening moment was June 7th, 2013. Liam didn't sleep really at all the night before and he went to bed fine around 9pm but then at 130 he woke up screaming and rubbing his legs. He stopped when I cradled him, but the moment I put him down he would scream. this went on until 830 when he finally let me put him down. Liam then went on to sleep until 3pm ate lunch and went back to bed. He didn't walk/crawl or even attempt to do anything but sit in the chair I put him in and have me hold him. The doctor says that some days are just bad ones. He didn't even want to see him!

Most exciting moment was the first time he said momma. I was blessed to hear him say it countless times for 3 whole months; before he became non-verbal for no known medical reason.
There was more that Liam's mom went on to say about MPS - which I didn't know, but also a beautiful view of how all our special children, are still children...no matter what they are going through or up against, they still all just want to be the child they were meant to be.
Did you know that MPS is detected by a simple blood or urine test. But it is currently not a test regularly done in pediatric doctor offices. Please at your next doctors appointment ask them to test. Especially if your child has autistic tendencies, developmental delay or is regressing.

There is no cure but through awareness there is hope! 


Liam may have a lot going on but at the end of the day he is just a toddler, who wants to play with his cars, balls & watch star trek. He is the happiest little boy you will ever meet and is such a fighter! He fights everyday just to walk and play. 
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To learn more about and help support Liam and his family you can visit their Facebook Page.
www.facebook.com/fightingforanswers

To help provide financial support to the family you can donate through their gofundme page below. The family is currently trying to move from Texas to Florida because their insurance doesn't cover out of state appointments, but also because the doctors that specialize in MPS are located in Florida.
http://www.gofundme.com/fightingforanswers

To Learn More About Mucopolysaccharidosis view this link:
http://www.mpssociety.org/

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These are the Words I Would Say

3/4/2013

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It  has been a while since I blogged here on our page ~ frankly because we have just been SO BUSY with gowns, filing our nonprofit status, the fundraiser, computer issues and oh yeah, more gowns...it is hard to find the time to sit down and blog the stories of our families and take care of my own.

Tonight's blog is partially a test to see if it posts and works, but just my reflections on today, our family and part of the journey we are on and maybe pass along a little advice, tips, hope and inspiration to those who read this. As many of you have followed Gracie's Gowns for a while you know that our son was formally diagnosed on the autism spectrum this past summer. And while it was a diagnosis that we were expecting at that point it was still hard to comprehend, not the diagnosis itself, but what was to come after.

Today we had our 6 month follow-up with the developmental pediatrician that diagnosed David on the autism spectrum, sensory processing disorder, impaired fine and gross motor skills and the list goes on with issues all related to his autism. While waiting for this appointment, I met a mother who was going to be seen before us and was here for their initial evaluation...I knew what she was about to experience, the emotions, stress...the fear. We weren't able to talk much, but I told her this "remember it is just a diagnosis, something that your child is living with...but it is not who your child is." She was called back just after that and I was fighting back tears, remembering everything I felt 6 months ago.

Our appointment today, did not go as well as I was praying it would...it happens, there are ups and downs, but it really hit hard because we have been working so hard with him and trying to give him all the resources his needs to achieve great things in life...and it just didn't seem to matter. All his evaluations came back that he is still mentally and functionally in the same place he was when we first started our journey...despite everything we have done. The progress he has made, doesn't seem to matter as it isn't what they feel is important, but did we get strategies or ideas to work towards what is...not really, do I even know what is right now...no. But on the way back home after being there all day, I started saying the things I wish I had known from the start to help get us through the tough days...so here is my list of things I would say to someone just starting their journey with a special needs child of any condition and maybe some of you will find peace or comfort knowing you aren't alone.

  • There will be troubles ~ it won't be easy and it won't be fun...but it will always be worth it. Those accomplishments no matter how insignificant they are to the "professionals" they were enough to make you smile ear to ear and shed a couple of tears even...they are important not only to you, but to your child.
  • Your child has _________ (insert diagnosis there), but they are not __________ (insert same thing). If you google their diagnosis or look it up in a medical text, you will not find your child's photo there, not even their name. It is something to live with, but not let live their life for them.
  • Researching isn't a bad thing....IN MODERATION. We live in a day and age where you can find hundreds of thousands of articles, papers, blogs, websites and just general opinions about almost anything you can think of and it is great to read and learn as much as you can about your child's condition...but it can also harm you. CREDIBLE resources are key, but sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours straight isn't going to help you either.
  • All the dreams, plans and ideas you had for your child may not happen, but it is okay. They were YOUR dreams for your child, not their dreams. Let them have their own dreams, challenge them to reach their dreams and support them each step of the way...what they end up liking and becoming will amaze you.
  • You will hear the words "never, can't, won't and don't" from therapists, doctors and specialist alike...but as long as you don't use those words towards or about your child (other than protecting their safety of course) they can never be limited in what they can accomplish (learning this one ourselves).
  • Your child will get tired from appointments, therapy and testing...and it is that much more tiring on you. Hang in there and try not to cram too much into one day if possible or schedule a break between appointments even. Down time is necessary to regroup, recharge and take on the next thing.
  • ALWAYS remember if you are not comfortable with something to ASK questions...I call our pediatrician first with all my questions because other than us, she has known and sees David the most and has watched him grow on the medical aspect. She is my go-to lady with all my questions...and if she doesn't know, she talks directly to the department necessary and we make a group plan.
  • Children sense your emotions, so when you are upset they act a fool, when you are sad they want to comfort you and when you are happy they give you more reasons to smile...remember to love on them through all of these emotions, so they know despite the craziness of it all, they are loved.
  • Last of all NEVER, EVER GIVE UP. If you are told "this is the best things are going to be, we will see you in 6 months" take those 6 months as a challenge to show them your child has the potential you know they have. 
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Now that have just been the most random list of things ever...but I hope it helps.

If you can have snow and a rainbow at the same time, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

The Kidds

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Eye of the Storm

10/10/2012

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What a week and it is only Wednesday night!! And I can't say this is a week that I would ever want to relive. And I know that sounds silly to many of you, because you go through much more complex surgeries and treatments and the life of your child is literally in limbo depending on how the procedure/treatment does or doesn't work...but for me, this was probably one of the most terrifying experiences of my life to date.

We learned today though, that a lot of the issues we had in the PACU and post-op recovery, were related to David's autism and the fact that "in general" child with autism tend to breathe off the anesthesia quicker than children who do not have it, but also once they are "awake" it is sensory overload to the extreme because everything comes back to them all at the same time. But even more so, we learned for fact after having the physician review the anesthesiologist report, that David was not breathing on his own for a "period of time" when he should have been and that his heart stopped as well...so much for a routine surgery right?

I knew something wasn't right, I knew something happened to my baby...and now it was confirmed. And while they do not think at this time it will or have caused any damage, I realize just how fragile even the life of my own children can be. The picture at the top, is David holding onto my hand the best he could on his chest while watching a movie. It is a moment I will never forget...it was the most calming moment of the time in the hospital. 

This first part of October is always a test for me emotionally and mentally. It is something that nearly ruins my family every year...and this year was no different. I was ready to leave everything behind and go in whatever direction the wind took me. My mother died 22 years ago this past Monday, which was also the day of David's surgery...and I almost lost my son. First and foremost, I am a mother, my children ARE my job and as miserable as I can be sometimes, their needs will always come first. Without them, I would be even more lost than I already am.

While in the hospital with David and everything that he was going through and in turn I was going through, I didn't have time to do ANYTHING I thought I would be able to there. The theory was he would sleep a good bit, and he didn't. My poor kiddo didn't fall asleep until 9:30p Monday night, after being up since 4:30a (minus while he was in surgery)...and by then, I was exhausted! Even in how tired I was, I was able to stay level-headed for his sake, take care of his needs and comfort him in every way possible. He kept me calm in return.

And while there is a storm going on inside my life...the moments my children want to cuddle, love, hug and just be around mommy, are the calm, the center of who I am...and sometimes, the only reason I am still here. I don't remember having that type of bond with my own mother...to be honest, there isn't much that I do remember about her anymore. So, even more of a reason I will NOT deny my children the mother that they deserve to have in their life.

Below is one of my favorite pictures of my mother and I. Looking at myself in the picture compared to others...this would have been very close to the time she committed suicide. Either the summer before or the fall during (and assuming by the pants and all, the fall because it is cooler at the beach this time of year). 
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I will close with this quote ~ it is one that I have loved since the first moment I read it, one that brings me to tears and yet fills me with honor at the same time. A quote I plan to pass down to my daughters and granddaughters and if I am lucky enough, my great-granddaughters. 


"A daughter needs a mom, because without her she will have less in her life than she deserves."




God Bless,
The Kidds
Gracie's Gowns
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The Pieces to the Puzzle

8/18/2012

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See that precious little guy to your right?? This was a little over 3 years ago this year.

Who is he?? Well this is our son, David. He was hanging out with me at the Louisa Agricultural Fair where I was set-up as a vendor. He was the best baby anyone could've asked for there, played sweetly in his travel swing, on the blanket, even napped.

Well about a year and a half later, we began noticing something was different between him and Aubrey, but it always amounted to "he's a boy or he's ____ age," or even "that's just how he is." Our pediatrician said he was a little delayed in his development, in this picture he was 4 months old, and barely 11lbs...not a terrible concern, except he was born at 8lbs. So we switched to formula from breastfeeding and he began to grow and all was well in his size (he is now bigger than Aubrey who is 5yo ~ both in height and weight). He was still slow to roll, crawl, walk, etc but he did do those things shortly after the "typical" milestone ages.

He has difficulty walking, he was severly bow-legged and needed leg braces...down to Richmond, VA we went to the pediatric orthopedic specialist (who was partners with the doctor I used to see for my scoliosis in high school) and then he was fitted for his braces in a different offic a few blocks away.

We then noticed changes in his behavior, temperment and social skills...but once again, they were placed on the leg braces, the daycare environment, the soon to be arrival of Madeline and more. His speech was delayed drastically, but we waited to decide on the urgency of that issue because Aubrey didn't talk until she was 3yo and was the smartest kid in her preschool class this past school year.

This year just before he turned 3yo we were in the pediatrician's office, who had consistently been watching him as we would come in for anything, decided it was defintiely time for intervention with his speech, because Madeline's speech at 18mo was delayed, but could easily be changed if she had a better role model from David. So to be evaluated for speech we went, and they decided he defintiely needed speech therapy services, he needed to see a developmental pediatrician and he needed to be evaluated for occupational therapy services as well...he has a deeper issue than poor communication skills, picky eating and inability to handle change.

Two days ago now, we finally saw the developmental pediatrician and while we had known for a while what the diagnosis was for him, I didn't want to admit it, I wanted to believe they would tell me "he's just 3 yo, he's just a boy, it's just who he is." I didn't get those answers, I got the truth...he is on the Autism Spectrum and while he is getting some of the services he needs, there is much more we need to do.

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When I was first told by the developmental pediatrician at KCRC in Charlottesville, VA I'd be lying if I said a few tears didn't start to fall...I wasn't angry, but definitely was concerned. How will this affect the rest of his life, are people going to treat him differently, what can we change to help him better, can we afford the various therapies, etc???

I wanted to crawl into a little ball by the time we got home (what would've been a 1hr tops appt turned into almost 4hrs), but instead I made it my mission to start calling our insurance company, where he is currently receiving speech therapy, social services, social security and our pediatrician's office...I needed guidance, I needed help because I was running into brick walls with his therapy coverage. And in two days, I've made almost all the phone calls I can, have almost all his appointments in place for further evaluation and well...here I am writing it all out, because I needed to relieve the internal stresses of a mother who has a child, who will have needs the rest of his life now. The best part about David is he has a high therapeutic index, meaning, with therapy, counseling and continued support, he should be able to function in society without many issues.

I found myself saying this last night on Facebook to a friend "he is still my David, it is just a part of who he is, not what he is." And it is the truth, I can define Autism all day long, I can look at every resource in the world and I will not find his name in ANY of that. I refuse to let this define my child and become a statistic in this world. The Autism is a part of his journey through life, but as long as I am in this world, it will NOT control his life.

Many of you will understand this being parents of children who have cancer, heart defects and many other disorders...it is a part of your child's life, but it is NOT who your child is. And I pray that each of you ALWAYS remember that. And while their may not be a cure for everything in this world, as parents of children with needs...it is our job to help them live to their fullest potential in this world. 

This is our son now ~ last summer, he wouldn't come near this pole on the playset without my husband or I standing right there to help him down it. This was last month and he JUMPS to the pole and sildes right down before I can even say "Be careful David." He loves trains and cows, playing in the sand and swinging on swings. Each day he learns new phrases and words and we talk...about what he wants to talk about, but we can talk now. He comes up to me and says he wants hugs, he gives kisses and loves to be in my lap...he is the same David we've always known and always will love. We have only learned what makes him unique, what makes David who David is...and why we love him so much!

The Kidds 

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