Showing posts with label progress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label progress. Show all posts

Monday, August 6, 2012

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,


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

See and Count the Blessings!

Tired, Sleepy and HOT

I am tired, sleepy... it's been hot and muggy all day.  Husband was away this evening, the house was a mess, Remy poured things here and there, peed here and there, my daughter kept demanding "I want this (now)" over and over... did I mentioned I was hot and sweaty, trying to clean and please the demands through the contractions? 

Breathe, Kim.  It's OK.  Yes, it was uncomfortable, challenging, and I rather would have been relaxing somewhere in the basement without noise and mess, but that was what I had.

After I finally got both kids in bed, I went into the kitchen just wanting some water and then to retire to my own bed, I saw that there was soaked quinoa that should be cooked.  So I did that.  And after that, I saw that I might as well wash the dishes... and clean the table, sweep the floor, wash the pots - ah, at last!  I pumped myself some water and drank.

Realisation of Countless Blessings
I retreated to my newly painted yellow room, gathered my notebook and charts to fill out for Remy.  I started writing... and I realised how many awesome things Remy did today.  In fact, he's outstanding; I just have to see it.  Despite all the challenges that his sensory "needs" present to me, I am so glad that when the noise settles, and the rippings swept I am able to cherish these precious moments.

Let me just present a few moments for everybody's enjoyment. 

Wiggly tooth

Still wiggling...

"Hurt!"
This morning in Remy's Play Room, Jo was playing with Remy when suddenly he bit her (he's been wiggling a tooth for several days now).  I was taking notes when this happened and didn't see the actual bite.  From there, I watched closely.  Jo said "no, Remy, that hurts.  That hurts."  And she showed him a frown.  Again he went close, and she said "that hurts."  Now, Jo didn't hear this, but I certainly did "hoort" said Remy looking right at her!  he repeated the word "hurt".  He seemed to understand. 

"Aw"
Jo was playing the xylophone when Remy approached her.  She handed him the mallet which he took into his hand.  I think he hit the xylophone twice then threw the mallet on the floor.  Jo's face dropped and said "aw" like out of disappointment.  Immediately, Remy repeated "Aw" - he is definitely listening and responding to us even when we don't realise it.  Jo and I talked about this afterward, of course.  She didn't hear what I did, but will certainly look for these responses from now on.  It's easier sometimes just watching from outside to perceive what is going on.

Greetings
This afternoon, before picking up his sister, Remy and I went to pick up some test results from his ND's office (which happens to be right beside the place where we get our water from).  After obtaining the results, I noticed that Remy was looking right at the receptionist.  It was very cute as his chin just reached the top of the counter to look over.  Before leaving, I got down to Remy's eye level and told him we were leaving and waved, said nothing.  He turned back to the receptionist and said "bye" (not perfect pronunciation, but definitely knew what he was saying) waving (he's still working on this, but his hand does reach higher with every try!) to her.  I couldn't help but just pull my right fist down from the air"yes!"

After we left the ND's, we went into the water store.  Right away, Gary (one of the two gentlemen we see there) greeted Remy with much enthusiasm hold his hand forward as he approached Remy and as Remy approached him.  Remy put his cars into his left hand (he usually holds two items such as cars) and extended his right hand to shake Gary's coupled with a huge smile.  He then took a seat signalling he was comfortable and wanted some fresh water. 

Our visits to the Eco Water store have been examples of growth.  When we first went to the store, I stayed a long time chatting with the manager about water, filtration systems, etc... after the first few visits, Remy became familiar with the friend gentlemen.  I recall him turning around to wave "bye" the first two times we left (I celebrate every time - the gentlemen too).  And every subsequent time, his greetings are more natural and less prompted. 

After Gary stowed the heavy water bottles into my car, I said "bye" to Gary.  Remy was getting ready to go into the car, but realised that it was a good-bye time.  So, he turned and walked to Gary.  I thought he was going to just say "bye" and give a bigger wave (his waves have come a long way since our first visit to the Eco Water store), but he actually gave Gary a big hug! 

I really should video record him going into the store and leaving!

Responding
In the evening after supper, I went on video chat with the kids' Auntie D.  Most of the conversation was between her and Remy's little sister... I was trying to clean up, and prepare for the kids to go to bed.  Randomly, I heard my sister command Remy "clap", and Remy clapped.  I looked at their conversation.  He was in front of the computer looking at her with his hands still at the sides waiting to clap again.  She didn't say anything, so HE said "clap" (may have sounded like "gaAp") and clapped again.  I put down what I was doing to celebrate him, then also threw in another command (this was like his version of Simon Says) "jump, Remy".  Sure enough, he got off the chair and jump a big loud "thud!"  It was a game to him!  So I said "touch your nose", and he touched his nose (and may have also said "nose").  I was very excited!

Alas, I was so tired, hot and sleepy... yet writing, realising the wonderful things Remy did today just fueled me to write this post to share with you.  Thank you, Remy!

And thank YOU for your continued support.  Blessings to you all,











Thursday, February 23, 2012

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!