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.
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