The IPad: a year later

    This has been a part of our lives for a year and a day. We use it every single day. Not just for games or for videos. We use it to help Sharon get her through her day. Sharon's schedule is on the IPad. She wakes up in the morning to a schedule. And she has a schedule during therapy sessions. Having a schedule helps Sharon know what is coming next.
    People think IPad nice toy. In the world of autism we very much use it as a tool of communication. We communicate what we need Sharon to do. Sometimes she gets stuck and we have to break down a task even. It is absolutely wonderful, lifesaving to have the IPad to do that. A program called proloquo2go is what we use for her scheduling. An expensive program. And every bit worth the money. And as you know from past posts that money was lovingly donated.
   I can remember doing the fundraiser. Working hard to get what now is an irreplaceable tool for Sharon. I had woken up a day after my birthday. And it said my fundraiser was at a 100%. I was in tears with the hope of what this thing could do. And in gratitude for the wonderful donations that made it happen. Especially the last donation that was very generous indeed.
    So the things that Sharon has been able to learn from the IPad. We have been able to get her to do tasks readily. We have been able to trace and write letters from programs on the IPad. She was more receptive to taking turns on the IPad them we moved on to board games and other things from there. We were able to get her to transition easier with stories made on the IPad. Oh, and the portable timer on the IPad is my best friend and the therapists' too. The educational games on the IPad help keep her calm in waiting times like doctor offices. Also using it in the store so she doesn't what to go up to every single numbered sign. She is better at making choices from choice makers on the IPad. Even though we use a lot of different tools to help Sharon. The IPad is one of her main ones.
    And I again want to thank the people who were involved in getting this equipment. Your money was well spend. And is being put to use. I also am able to educate her therapists' on the IPad also the social worker. It is important to know that certain things that my not be needed for the typical child. Something that they could very well live without. Could be highly crucial to someone on the spectrum. I am so very thankful for the IPad.

The weight of the world

 

    In roughly 6 and 1/2 months I have lost 80 pounds. As you can see the difference. At the top(I'm in the red) and I took the bottom a couple of days ago. I want you to understand I did not loose the weight so I can look better. I had to loose the weight. At this point in my life I've had 6 knee surgeries. I have another one in the works. Every extra pound was making it harder on my knees. I knew it. 
    I had a plan for a long time. A better part of a year. I knew exactly what I needed to do to lose the weight. So you ask why I waited? I actually didn't. I tried to start my plan. I failed because it wasn't the time. I had a number of health issues like I always do that set me back. At the time I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Had a huge problem with my back. And I finally did something I should of done numerous times in my life. I prayed about it and said okay Lord I will wait until You say it is time.
    Alright, here is where you are saying you are crazy. But God talks to us in a lot of ways. Remember that communication is 93% non-verbal. I have been taught that by having a child with autism. So you ask well how did He tell you? My migraines began to become less and less. When that happens I know I'm suppose to do something. It doesn't happen often. I knew God set apart time. I knew now was the time.
    It really is the migraines that can set me back. When you have a migraine for a week or two perhaps four you don't go to the gym. In fact you do whatever it takes to stay sane. That might include some comfort food. Also the medicine you have to take to keep it at bay. Just thinking about it makes me ill. Migraines are nasty. I wouldn't wish them on anybody. In a sense it was really not having so many migraines that made me feel that a big huge weight had been lifted. That perhaps even an orbiting planet. That is just how bad it could be. I have had six knee surgeries, have the thyroid disease, my daughter has autism and the whole sleep apnea thing. And it was the migraines that really caused the balls(so to speak) to come tumbling down. No body knows that more than God what a crutch it has been in my life. How often I have prayed for them to lessen. Sometimes He asks us to wait. And waiting is hard for anybody. I am so thankful for the break the Lord has given me during this time.
    I have learned a lot during this time. This is what I am most thankful for. I learned that if I put all my trust in God that things get done a lot easier. It is a lot less frustrating. I learned that I can do things because I am not alone. And when the road gets bumpy it is just time to pull up your boot straps dig deeper. And sooner than I realized the world began to seemed a lot more lighter.