Mid Summer Update

Hi, Everyone!

It's been a while since my last post... and since my last post many things have taken place.  Hope your Summer great.  Here's a little update on our lives.

REMY WELCOMES his BABY BROTHER!

Looking for food...

Biting on duck while waiting for lunch

REMY HAS BEEN ATTENDING DAY CAMP AT NOVA's ARK

Since the beginning of July, Remy has been going to Nova's Ark once a week, and we've seen great benefits already!  On Remy's first day, his dad reported that Remy took the volunteer's hand and went off to play right away... when Alex went back to pick up Remy 6 hours later, the volunteers looked exhausted, but Remy was still running and jumping about :)  Alex reports that Remy seems to feel very much at home being with the young volunteers.  We're glad that he's out doing other things, being with other people while we get some relief at home.


Thank you so much to our friends and family who have contributed to this form of recreation for Remy (and respite for us).  Your generosity is always always always very appreciated and remembered!

REMY PLAYS AND JOINS WITH THIS SISTER

The Running Game

NEW WEBSITE, FACEBOOK PAGE, YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TWITTER

Alex has been busy revamping Remy's Recovery program.  Despite the challenges of taking care of Remy full time (he's taken over as I've been dedicated to nursing and growing the baby), he's managed to create a new website and online social media pages.  

LOOKING FOR iPAD

In the search for anything that would augment the communication Remy has with us, we've been researching the benefits of using and iPad with a communication app for persons with communicative disorders.  So far the cheapest we've seen is $399 on sale at FutureShop and $30 for a case that will protect it.  If you know how we could get an iPad for free or very discounted, please let us know!  We'd rather have the iPad sooner rather than later to see how it could enhance the communication between us.

YARD SALE FUNDRAISER SEPTEMBER 1!

We're planning to host a yard sale to help us fund raise for the down payment ($2000 USD) for the Son-Rise Program® Intensive.  We are asking neighbours, friends and family who can to donate items we can sell for $50 or more for this event.  As well, we plan to have a bake sale at the same time.  This is your opportunity to free up space in your home for a really great cause!  As well, the items can be promotional for your business to get more attention.  Come support us by donating, volunteering and by spreading the word about our event.Thank you All!  Enjoy your Summer days.  Rainy Hugs and Sunshine Kisses,

Update on Progress

It's been over four months now since I've been back home with my beautiful growing family.  New Frontiers Program as part of the Son-Rise Squence was an amazing experience... but it's an experience that has continued, and I believe, will continue further.

Since my last post was already several months ago, here's a quick update to what's been going on.

Volunteers:

We still have three wonderful volunteers who come in twice every week to play with Remy in his Room.  We are delighted that one of our volunteers will be attending Option adult courses to help her grow as a person.  I am very excited for her personal journey as well as what she might bring back to share with us.

Alex has also been playing in the Room with Remy regularly after returning from Option in December from the Start-Up Program.  His involvement and now deeper understanding of the Son-Rise attitude and life-style has been very helpful.  Alex noticed that Remy was much more attentive to him when he returned, probably much to do with the new found attitude.

We are still looking for AWESOME people to volunteer in our program!  So, if you know of someone who would love to learn more about this opportunity, please forward our website and contact information!  Thank you.

Intensive:

l think I told everyone that while Alex was at Option that he took a huge leap of faith and put a deposit down for Remy's team (that Alex, me, baby and two other people) to attend the Intensive Program at the Autism Treatment Center of America in December 2012.  Well, for financial reasons we felt it was wise to ask for a refund and cancel the Intensive for now.  I'm not disappointed.  In fact, I am really proud of Alex for taking that step to show his commitment and his faith in Remy's Son-Rise Program.  Somehow with will, I believe we will be able to fund raise to cover the $18,400 USD program plus travel.

Right now, it is the present that matters.  Someone I have to remind myself to be kind to ourselves in order to propel ourselves forward.

Remy's Progress:

This past weekend was Family Day weekend in Ontario, so we got the Monday off.  On the Saturday, Remy's Auntie and my friend Dana took Remy and Little Sister to go swimming at a small private condo.  I couldn't remember the last time Remy showed SO much excitement, thrill and expression of his happiness and freedom.  At first he was a little hesitant about going in to the pool, but with help from Auntie and Dana, he entered the water... then he got out, ran about the deck (although we helplessly called for him to stop running on the wet deck!), got back in, splashed everyone, vocalized his thrill non stop... WOW!  what a blast he had.  It was so exciting for us to watch the FUN exploding out of this little boy.

The next day, Sunday, Auntie and one of our volunteers Tara took both kids tobogganing!   Yet another thrilling activity for Remy.  He was all giggles, massive sweet smiles.  He was bursting with energy as he ran up the hill time and time again while the others got tired.

During the year before Remy's ASD diagnosis, Alex would try to take Remy out tobogganing or swimming or some other activity he thought Remy would enjoy... I remember asking Alex after the first time he took Remy tobogganing, "did Remy have fun?" Alex's responded that he wasn't sure.  Remy seemed to have the same expression, the same looking at space no matter what he did.  Today, I can confidently testify that Remy is indeed more connected with us and much more in our world than two or three years ago.

Permanent change is gradual, no?  We have definitely made progress!  It takes time to see the changes.  After swimming on the Saturday, we visited Dana's parents in their new condo briefly, and Dana's dad told me that Remy was different; he seemed a lot more sociable.  Dana's dad hadn't seen Remy in over a year, and he said that before Remy would not go near him or look at him much less say "hi" or "bye".  During this short visit, Remy got close enough to almost drink his Coke and rum!  And when leaving Remy waved and said "bye bye"!  Little by little, our little boy is connecting more and more with us.

I am grateful for this opportunity to share with you these wonderful blessings.  I hope that you can also delight in our journey with us.

Enjoy your day!

Fund Raising Summary

Dear Friends,

Thank you for supporting us through our Son-Rise Journey.  Since our request for help for attending New Frontiers and Start-Up this Fall, many of your have responded with kind wishes and financial contributions.  I wanted to share with you how the funds added up.

$100.00	Extended family
$50.00	Former co-worker Friend
$100.00	Childhood Friend
$100.00	University Friend
$100.00	University friend
$200.00	Another family from Remy's Sister's school
$100.00	Alex's friend
$100.00	Extended family member
$200.00	Parent
$20.00	Retail store Worker
$25.00	Another parent from Remy's Sister's school
$75.00	Close friends
$1,170.00	Total

I wish to point out that that these were just individual gifts.  Nancy and fund raising team have also been knitting kitchen towels, salvaging materials from old clothes to making unique purses, selling things at garage sales... Thank you all for all that you're doing for Remy's Room!  In addition to the financial help, we also truly and deeply appreciate the time that family members have taken to come help us watch the children.  We're all part of a team... actually, one New Frontier mate put the perfectly:  The Remy Recovery Team :)

No matter how small the amount or a thought you think you have to contribute, it all adds up!  It's the collective spirit that is made up of little pieces.  Thank you for putting forth your contribution.

Love, Peace and Prosperity,

Fund Raising Update for New Frontiers and Start-Up

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your thoughts and time to read my posts about our fund raising!

I'd also like to extend our gratitude to our friends and family who have been able to generously donate to our cause.  To date, we have been gifted $450!  Thank you.  No amount is too small.  Every thing adds up.

Let me please remind you, that your thoughts and prayers mean a lot even if you aren't able to donate.  They are the vibrations that help lead us to our goal.

We are looking to cover New Frontiers ($2500), Start-Up ($2200) and Travel (est. $1000) - all USD
We are grateful for the funds that have already arrived:  $1700 (from Autism Treatment Center Scholarship), $350 (referral discount), $450 from loving friends and family since the start of this current Fund Raising campaign, and $355 from previous fund raising (a raffle at Nana Nancy's birthday party, two yard sales, optional donations for plants and my mom's delicious eggrolls).  There remains a balance of $2845, but there is still time!

Thank you all again for your involvement!  Blissful blessings for a brilliant day,