We Shall Overcome!

Last night Nathan and I had the privilege of attending a homecoming type basketball game for the local special needs community.  The event was sponsored by Real Life Ministries AND North Idaho College.  This evening was all about the participants!  They were out there on the gym floor as bright shining stars!  Each person had a grin from ear to ear as they hustled across the basketball court playing and giving the game and their teams their all.

As many of you know my son, Nathan, has Down syndrome and has only recently come out of his shell.  Loud noises, auditoriums, crowds and over stimulating events would keep him at home in the safety of his room.  With much hard work, practice going out in public and dedication, he has developed much greater tolerance for such events.

Many hours were spent into getting this event put together.  There was a high school band, cheer leaders, precision drummers, dim lights .. a tunnel of blue smoke the athletes ran through to start the game.  Any single one of these is a triumph .. put them together and we have VICTORY!

Go Nathan!

The Good Old Summer Time On Lake Coeur d'Alene

.... in a zippy pontoon boat.  A great way to spend a lazy summer afternoon.  Even Nathan enjoyed the ride.  He really wanted to try wake boarding.  Maybe next time we can get pulled behind the boat in a raft.  The one we were going to use flew off the boat as it was being hauled down to the lake (oooops)!

I am amazed how tired I was when we got home.  All I did was sit under the boat's canopy and watch life go by.  Eat a sandwich and grapes ... time for a good night's rest.  First I need to get my land legs back.

The Birthday Boy

... a few days late.

Nathan had his 16th birthday ten days ago.  He has come so far.  Happy is written all over his face (as well as some of his dinner;)   He's been bugging us for a dinosaur shirt for the past three months.  Was he surprised .. even the ball has the mouth of a dinosaur with teeth showing.   Pants and shoes to match were also requested (LOL).  He is the biggest walking commercial addict I know.  Anything Disney or Universal Studios makes him happy.

One Year

... to make a difference.

Nathan had intensive behavior intervention (IBI) for one year.   Somehow, with all of the work involved, a light was switched on and family life has resumed to normal.  I LIKE the new normal.  Maturing has been a big help.  But, all of the little gimmicks we used to 'train' up our child have been dropped (for the most part) and new (much improved) behavior has been firmly established.

Nathan .. Ready for a ride

I no longer live and breath in fear and for that, I praise God.  Nathan continually brings home notes from his teacher that he had a good day.  He plays hard at P.E. ... is learning to use his iPad for communication at school, attends an after school program twice a week .. and is awaiting anxiously for spring so he can start his developmental (horseback) riding lessons.  And this from a boy that had to be pulled through the horse barn just two years ago at the fair!  A few summers ago he 'went through' three or four summer camp aides ... two days of Nathan was enough to send them looking for another job or be reassigned.  That's the summer we met Miss Paula (an interventionist).. and our journey began with IBI.

If you are the parent of a special needs child needing behavior modifications, have a talk with your pediatrician by mentioning your concerns.  We would have never gotten help had I not spoken up during a routine yearly medical exam; that's when our doctor recommended IBI.

More and More ...

Nathan as a wee babe 1997

independent.  That Gift of mine (Nathan .. the possessor of an extra chromosome) has got his groove on.  Pretty self reliant of late is he!  After spending months and months with an in home therapist, he has got himself in order.  Bathing, washing his own hair, eating at the Christmas table with eleven people, brushing teeth, shopping, extra outings after school twice a week .. just to name a few improvements.  God is good .. and I am blessed.

Just Dance

Nathan has been back to school for nearly a month.  He had a nice surprise at school;  his (favorite) 5-6th grade teacher has moved up and is now his 8th grade teacher.  He is so happy to trek off to school each morning and is continually making progress.  His in home therapy has ended as he met all of his goals.  Now he spends two afternoon/evenings a week receiving developmental therapy in a group setting with a new set of goals.  This is a BIG deal for him .. considering that only a year ago he would barely set foot inside the building.  His comfort level has greatly increased.  My once introverted son is comfortable enough to dance to music in front of his peers.  Praising God for His goodness!

Ever Thankful

Nathan .. age 15

Thankful for one left in the nest.  After Ann moved out in May, I have come to discover it would be pretty lonely around here without any youngins at home.  Nathan (the possessor of an extra chromosome) is perpetually youthful and adds great joy to life.  To be so young at heart .. always .. is a gift beyond measure.

Every part of life is a season.  I think the empty nest phase would be quite .. well empty without our special needs son.  So thankful God knew we needed him before he was born.  Even with all of his challenges, life adds a richness that would be lacking without him.

In God's infinite wisdom .. He has blessed us and given us reason to have joy as we enter the golden stage of life.

Happy Birthday Nathan .. God's Gift

Our youngest turned 15 years old today.  If you don't know it .. he was given a 2% chance of survival at birth.

It's a miracle he's growing up so strong and healthy .. full of life .. and a blessing to all who know him.  Thank you Lord for the honor of being his mom. 

 
Life would be many blessings short without our Gift! 

Instilling A Love For Cooking & Healthy Eating

... with your children.

Nathan is at it again .. learning how to cook!  He so loves to crack eggs, stir them with milk and make him some good eats (French toast) from the kitchen.  If you have a picky eater .. try including them in the cooking .. or growing/gardening process to make healthy food choices more personal.  We are looking forward to the 'dirty' work in the garden now that winter is almost a memory :)

Answered Prayer

Nathan .. that's about all I'm writing about on this blog of late.  But .. today was his second Sunday attending church with me .. in the adult church .. he has sat quietly by my side during the entire service .. soaking in some of God's word .. listening to praise and worship music.  This is something I have prayed for for several years .. Words are not adequate for what is taking place.

Nathan and his dad .. unusual but much appreciated Christmas gifts :)

"  People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  Matthew 18:15-17

Sandbox 101

Growing up .. Nathan never really learned how to play in the sandbox and share or interact with other children.  He often kept to himself and played alone .. or parallel played, along side, without much interaction.  Something is changing .. he's now interacting with his new 'best' friend .. his little nephew, Jacob.

They are always competing now .. talking up a storm .. communicating with incomplete sentences or using the IPad app (Proloquo2Go) .. to speak .. remember manners .. share .. be kind.

Nathan's therapist has been encouraging their developing friendship by including Jacob in at least one weekly therapy session. 

It's great to see their relationship develop into a friendship; one that will carry them into adulthood .. one day Jacob may even be his big uncles protector.

Pleased As Punch

Finding what motivates Nathan seems to be the key to his success that he's currently experiencing.  Now that sounds like it (the motivation) would work for anybody .. and why didn't I think of it in the first place? .. humm .. not quite so easy to unlock a child that displays autistic traits .. easier said than done.  But, this is just the ticket .. along with a fantastic therapist that has brainy ideas and challenges me to think outside the box.  His latest adventure .. taking a bath and having Nathan doing most of the work .. (soon to be all of the process).  Just how are we motivating him?  Well .. little pennies to be earned for staying focused.  Pennies have helped him transition from eating in his room to now regularly enjoying meals at the dining room table with the whole family.   They have also been used to have him go shopping and staying by my side .. even when walking down the toy isle or frozen food section (favorite places he used to get side tracked and take off to visit ALONE).  Last night we started on the bathing skills.  A simple back brush with a puffy scrubber end .. seems so simple why didn't I think of it first ... was his to begin using; a better choice than a washcloth with his delayed small motor skills.  You can see from the after picture how proud he is .. even combing his own hair.  Little steps .. to big success.  Next stop ... transitioning to using a shower.  I have no fear of Nathan lagging behind any longer.  Praising God always!

More Than Able

Nathan Springing To Life

This past week found Mr. Mac and myself attending a meeting at Nathan's school with his teacher.  At times I have no idea what he's capable of doing .. because when he gets home from school, it's time for him to unwind .. have some quiet time .. dance .. watch a movie.  He rarely gives me more than a nod when I ask how his day at school went.  OK is his word of choice.  OK can mean he had a good day or a bad day.  OK and NO are sometimes interchangeable with Nathan.  Short answers do not always answer questions.  At one point during the meeting we stepped into the classroom where Nathan was studying.  There he sat with a few other children at a computer desk ... wearing a headset ... and surfing the web.  Now, I had no idea he could 'surf the web' .. but there he sat .. surfing the web.  He is mainstreamed in P.E. and is excelling ... and now sits in a circle for reading .. taking turns .. practicing moving his finger under the line of words the other children are reading.  Last month we ate out at a restaurant that had white butcher paper on the table as a covering .. crayons were provided for amusement .. so I started writing out simple words ... family names .. and Nathan was reading them.  I am witnessing a miracle in my child's progress.  He is developing good coping skills and losing some of the 'fright/flight' antics that once dominated his behavior.  Being in crowds is less frightening .. he's growing up ALL AT ONCE right before my eyes ... Praise The Lord!

Giving Thanks

... the day after.

Yesterday found the Mac family at home celebrating many blessing.  Food, warmth of home, family, friends. We had a bounty of goodness served up at the table.  Reflecting at prayer time .. each person gave a short offering of thanks for what they were most grateful for.  I had to give a BIG shout of thanks for the progress Nathan has made:  He is developing the skills to EAT in the dining room at the table with the whole noisy lot of what is his family.  Just a few weeks ago, this was only a dream. Now, he regularly eats with us.  I'm praising the Lord and saying AMEN!  Thanking the dedicated work his therapist is doing ... we call here the miracle worker!!  Next on the list of miracles:  Haircuts, baths, and trimming toe nails.  Hey, with God in control, we have success!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday ...

Nathan luv'n him some venison ribs

Nathan ... Waking Up To The Beat Of The Drum

Most days find our son, Nathan, somewhat apprehensive and shy.  That is ... until ... he turns on some music and starts dancing (spinning) .. non stop until he either wears himself out ... or I purposely 'unplug' him.   Sometimes it's a struggle for the rest of the family to 'endure' another playing of 'Little GTO' ... or ... surfin' 60's music, or The Monster Mash, as he can listen to the same selection over and over.  Thank goodness when we built our home I had six inch walls stuffed with insulation and solid wood doors put on the bedroom doorways lest his bedroom would be moved to the basement ;)  On the bright side .. Nathan often sings along with the music ... helping him to practice his speech.  My once un-intelligibly voiced son is starting to string three and four word sentences together.  Music ... soothes the savage beast (so I've heard) ... and brings out the best in Nathan.  Normally, loud noise sets him off in a tizzy ... but not so with music .. to him it's a white noise pleasure.  BTW ... I have to frequently change the furniture placement so as not to wear a hole in the carpet.

Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song,
      praise him in the company of all who love him.
   Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator,
      Zion's children exult in their King.
   Let them praise his name in dance;
      strike up the band and make great music!
   And why? Because God delights in his people,

      festoons plain folk with salvation garlands! 

Psalm 149:1-4 The Message Bible

Thank you, Dr. Boucher for exploring this topic with the many families you have helped to think outside of the box in the physical and occupational therapy areas of your expertise.  To read more, visit her site, Therextras and follow her third annual blog carnival coming soon.

Off To The Fair

We talked Nathan in to going to the fair yesterday :)  Since he's been receiving 'intense' development therapy, it's been a little easier getting out and about with him.  The highlight was having him walk through the horse barn.  (OK ... I bribed him with a few pennies ... he's saving up 70 so he can 'purchase' an outing to the bowling alley.)

Aaah ... the sights and smells of the fair.  Fried food galore.  Even deep fried pickles.  I was not tempted to try one ... have you ever eaten a deep fried pickle?  Who thinks up food like this??????

My favorite part was walking through the quilt exhibit.  There were so many beauties displayed.  I'm working on finishing up a hand pieced quilt top that my(dearly departed) grandmother started.  There are enough complete squares to make a full size bed quilt.  She must have started the pieces in the 1960's from scraps of fabric she saved.   It will be so special to sleep under the cover knowing she hand stitched the pieces.  Her son, my dad, will enjoy using it when he returns for his annual visit next summer. (Mums the word mom if you read this post.)  Inside the quilt barn were some ladies spinning wool yarn.  Since I have been mastering so many new/old skills the past few years, I'm looking for something to work on this winter so just might take up spinning ... it looks so relaxing.

Did you get out to a fair this summer?  If so, what is your favorite part?  Rides, food, exhibits?

911 What's Your Emergency?

"Hello ... This is Mrs. Mac.  I have a little son with Down syndrome and he's missing from his bed.  His shoes are gone and his older sister heard the front door shut about five minutes ago.  We've been looking for him inside and outside ... calling his name.  It's pitch black and we live in the woods.  pause ... blood curdling scream can be heard outside (sounds as if coming from a girl) ... Sir ... we've found him, thanks .. and sorry for the trouble.  Click."

Mr. Mac soon calls out that he's found Nathan.  This happened last night around 10PM.  Ann was already in bed and the Mr. and I were watching a movie downstairs in the family room.  The scream??  It was a neighbor girl ... seems Nathan just walked into her home unannounced.  Later I asked why he left and he said he wanted to watch a movie with his friends.  You can bet we will be hiding his shoes at night.  You can bet that our home's alarm. door chimes are once again turned on.  And you are wondering why I have so much gray hair?;)

Thunder and Lightning and Rain ...

...Oh My!

Last night the dawg and Nathan were stirred up a bit.  They both have super keen senses and .. much to my surprise .. had detected the presence of a storm off in the distance well before it arrived.  Just last year Nathan could be found holed up in an interior bathroom sleeping on the floor with the exhaust fan and light on during such an event.  And Miss Holly, the dawg, would be given a sedative to make it through the night.  This is a picture of Nathan and his dawg waiting out the storm.  Brave boy sat under the front porch on a rocker wrapped up in a blanket .. pretending that dinosaurs were making all the racket.  The dawg was allowed inside to fidget ... drug free ... until all was calm.  Miracles never cease to amaze me;)

"On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled."

Exodus 19:16

I Broke Down

... and took Nathan to see a nurse practitioner this morning.  His sniffles turned into a sinus infection and he just couldn't shake it after nearly two weeks of home therapy.  She checked his chart and found that the last time he had one was January, 2009.  For him, that's progress.  So the much dreaded antibiotics were prescribed .. along with a prescription nasal spray.  How did people survive (or suffer) sinus infections prior to antibiotics???  I'd really like to know.  The thought of using a netti-pot on him is about as looked forward to as clipping his toenails ;)  so I'll be skipping the former and tending to the latter:)