Lessons learned
The one thing that I have learned most up to this point is that Maddux is ours for a reason. God did not give her to someone else. He felt we were the best parents for her and that only we could provide her wants and needs. Most of the time I think the exact opposite happened. I was not half the person I am today before she came into my life. My husband was not half the person he is today before she arrived. I think the same can be said for the rest of my family. Maddux has brought so much joy into our lives that it has made it so enjoyable to be around her. I thank Him everyday for giving her to us, epilepsy and autism included. Sure, there are times that I would rather tell her something once rather than 6 times because she pieces it together each time to make a full statement. Not always, but sometimes. And there is not a bath given that I don't want her to wash her own hair and make her adversion to bubbles disappear. Then I think about her. I can not imagine anyone who would want to have these issues. She probably doesn't want them as much as I wish she didn't have them. One thing remains the same and that is that she's our Maddux, issues or not. I know she will continue to recover and heal from all of her trials and we will all be here to continue to cheer her on!
The trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so:
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.
Russel Kelfer
The trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so:
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.
Russel Kelfer
Words can not describe this one
This one is too hard to explain but Maddux knows that when she sees Unlce Ryan they will play the game of Nasty Trash!
Maddux's big girl shoes
This is Maddux's first day of Kindergarten. Not only is it a moment I thought I would never see but it is a moment that goes far beyond it just being her first day of big girl school. Never did I imagine that she would walk into a typical classroom on flat feet, say "good morning" to the teacher while looking at her, sit in her chair without a lap pillow, and staying in her chair without a one-on-one aide reminding her to stay seated. She has gone from staring at a wall with her thumb in her mouth to sitting in a typical kindergarten class saying her ABC's. Miracles happen in His time, we just have to be anticipating them.
Happy 5th birthday
Maddux turned 5 with all of her family beside her, some pink eye, and tons of gifts for HER to open. The concept of a birthday is getting better. She knows there are presents to open and candles to be blown out!
Preschool Graduation
Maddux graduated from White Plains Children's Center in May 2007. Here she learned compassion for students like her and she learned how to play with others around her. We were sad to leave the center to dive into the big world of "Typical Kindergarten" but we were ready. Until now, this type of transition was only a dream.
Preschool-inclusion
A few months after Maddux turned 5 we moved to North Carolina where Maddux experienced her first inclusion classroom setting. It was this year that I wondered why she had not been in inclusion until now. This school year was key for her because it was the first time Maddux was exposed to typically developing children and she did not have a one-on-one aide. Her language soared and her parallel play was starting to improve. Nina, Jason and Eunice worked with Maddux so hard this year and she really made more progress this school year than I have ever seen. "People" can no longer say that children with Autism are unteachable. If they are not learning then you need to change the way you are teaching.
"I need beach"
This is Maddux's favorite place to be in the world. If we are not at the beach she thinks it is just because the beach is "closed" The beach is sensory heaven for Maddux. She has the cold water, the textured sand, the crashing waves and a wandering bird.
That's our Maddux
As each week passed Maddux was improving. It was painfully slow but atleast it was happening. The one thing I remember most from this year in school is asking her everyday when she got in the car, "What did you do today Maddux?" I never got an answer. I continued to ask everyday because I knew one day she would answer.
Introducing Baby Cade
Maddux's brother, Cade, was born on January 21, 2006. Maddux welcomed him with an open heart.
Happy 4th birthday
What a difference a year makes. The pictures from her last birthday to this one are like night and day. Here she opened her own presents and blew out her birthday candles 8 times. We have never been so happy to light candles over and over again in our lives.
Preschool-self contained
Maddux started preschool in March 2006. She was in a full-day, self-contained classroom for 2 years with OT, PT and Speech services inside the school system and outside at Leaps N' Bounds. She was surrounded by some wonderful people. Her teachers and therapists treated Maddux like their own. During Maddux's first year in Preschool she had a one-on-one aide named Heidi. She was so great with Maddux and she adored her.
Miss D was Maddux's teacher for second year in preschool. God bless her for having to put up with me. She was young, vibrant and really helped Maddux to control her break downs and "use her words" when she was upset. Thank you D for caring so much and for letting this year be so fun for both Maddux and me!
What can I say about Ms. Betty. I adore her so much. She was Maddux's aide in Miss D's room. She loves Maddux almost as much as I do. We miss her very much and she really helped Maddux to become more independent around the classroom. Thank you for being you and for loving her like you did. We miss you.
Miss D was Maddux's teacher for second year in preschool. God bless her for having to put up with me. She was young, vibrant and really helped Maddux to control her break downs and "use her words" when she was upset. Thank you D for caring so much and for letting this year be so fun for both Maddux and me!
What can I say about Ms. Betty. I adore her so much. She was Maddux's aide in Miss D's room. She loves Maddux almost as much as I do. We miss her very much and she really helped Maddux to become more independent around the classroom. Thank you for being you and for loving her like you did. We miss you.
It is all about each person in her life
So far all I have really posted are pictures of Maddux, her therapist and her teachers. But there is a huge piece missing in her blog. Family. Lenny's and my family have had to go through this ordeal from 3,000 miles away. Sometimes phone calls about her progress are not enough. Each time they would come visit her they could see the progress she has made. Each one had to follow my way of handling her. She was fed different foods, had to sleep in a certain bed and had to be sure her meds were given at the right time and in the right order. Where would Maddux be without her teachers and therapist but more importantly where would we be without this family. Grammy and Gramps, Nana and G, Aunt Jen and Uncle Scott, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Kish (now Uncle David) and Kenzie, Jackson, Ryan, Raegan and Kenna are all our saving grace. Without having you all to lean on, talk to, ask for help from, and pray with we would not be who we are today. Thank you so much for your guidance, love and prayers.
Last few images
These are some of the last images of Maddux that you will not see her presence in them. The pictures are still important stages in her life and each one has a special place in all of our hearts. I know when each one was taken and how she was developing in each one.
During this time, I came aross a special diet called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). It is similar to the Gluten free, casien free diet but on a smaller scale. I stared her on this diet of no preservatives, all fresh, organic foods and nothing processed. If it was sealed in a package, she did not eat it. I really started to see a change in her ability to communicate, think, walk and process information. Her auditory processing time increased. She started to come back.
During this time, I came aross a special diet called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). It is similar to the Gluten free, casien free diet but on a smaller scale. I stared her on this diet of no preservatives, all fresh, organic foods and nothing processed. If it was sealed in a package, she did not eat it. I really started to see a change in her ability to communicate, think, walk and process information. Her auditory processing time increased. She started to come back.
Moments of beauty
The hardest lesson we had to learn...Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Psalms 37:7
Bubbles say POP
These two pictures have a special meaning to us because it took Maddux until she was 4 years old to learn how to blow bubbles. Something so simple you think every child knows how to do is so hard for her. Constant repetition and using the same bubbles in the same spot of the backyard as you did the day before. Then taking the bubbles to the park and teaching her that it still works the same there as it does at home in our yard. And now the bubbles SHE blows are so beautiful!
Our patriotic girl
This picture was taken on the way home from a day of shopping at Short Pump in Richmond, VA. The flag she is holding has not left her side since! She has always had a fascination with flags and we turned her obsession of wanting to count the stars into a history lesson.
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