Welcome new folks-my introduction

[Guest guest]

Hello and welcome to the new folks on the list. I realized that I never

welcome newbies or introduce myself. I am sorry. I don't post too often but I

try

to keep up with everything. I am Melinda, Massachusetts mom to Em, 15,

mid-spectrum, OCD, possible mitochondrial disorder, also very verbal, beautiful,

inquisitive in her own way, loves to write and sing and record her voice. I

will try to post a picture someday. Em is my only child. A gift of grace

actually as I had five miscarriages. I am divorced from her father for nine

years,

( still not a good situation) remarried to a wonderful man for three years

now. I well remember what it was like to be a single Mom for years, struggling

with night after night of sleep deprivation ( sweet E didn't reliably sleep

through til age 10) and so many challenges. Through the grace of God and many

lessons learned my girl and I got through some very tough years. I teach

Yoga and write a bit myself. E is in a substantially separate classroom, always

has been and this is best for her. She has some great gifts, has big social

challenges and does not do well in crowded noisy environments. Skills

scattered but ranging from about 3rd grade to about sixth ( she is in ninth),

but

reads at or above grade level. Comprehension lower. She and I have tried many

many approaches through the years including trialing GF/CF more than once. She

is not a responder but does well with fish oil, various vitamin supplements

and Evening Primrose Oil. She has an odd and limited diet. Biggest

challenges remain self-care, advocating for herself, focus. I am most concerned

with

looking ahead to her adulthood and helping her find her place in this very

challenging world. Like all of you, I desperately want her safety and

happiness.

I want her life to be peaceful and for her to have a meaningful way to

occupy herself when she is out of school. By that I mean meaningful for her. I

worry most ( try not to but do) about what will happen for her and to her when

I

am no longer around. I am 46. This child is by far the most incredible gift

I have ever been blessed to receive. I know lots of parents of kids with

needs, many wonderful people, am connected to an Autism center nearby, but I do

struggle with feeling isolated and lonely still. I often wish for better

connections.

This list is wonderful and the only one I truly keep up with. I am

deeply grateful to everyone who posts but especially to Sondra, Kassi, other

spectrum women who share of themselves and offer great insight and advice. I

only

wish we could all live closer together and form some sort of community.

I will try to post more often. Happy New Year to all!

Melinda

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

[Guest guest]

Beautifully written and u r what I would like to be in my alternate

life! a yoga teacher and writer I actually want to teach yoga to

children in special education.someday. for now I work corporate.

Cheers,

Dana

Priscillasmum

>

> Hello and welcome to the new folks on the list. I realized that I

never

> welcome newbies or introduce myself. I am sorry. I don't post too

often but I try

> to keep up with everything. I am Melinda, Massachusetts mom to Em,

15,

> mid-spectrum, OCD, possible mitochondrial disorder, also very

verbal, beautiful,

> inquisitive in her own way, loves to write and sing and record her

voice. I

> will try to post a picture someday. Em is my only child. A gift of

grace

> actually as I had five miscarriages. I am divorced from her father

for nine years,

> ( still not a good situation) remarried to a wonderful man for

three years

> now. I well remember what it was like to be a single Mom for

years, struggling

> with night after night of sleep deprivation ( sweet E didn't

reliably sleep

> through til age 10) and so many challenges. Through the grace of

God and many

> lessons learned my girl and I got through some very tough years. I

teach

> Yoga and write a bit myself. E is in a substantially separate

classroom, always

> has been and this is best for her. She has some great gifts, has

big social

> challenges and does not do well in crowded noisy environments.

Skills

> scattered but ranging from about 3rd grade to about sixth ( she is

in ninth), but

> reads at or above grade level. Comprehension lower. She and I have

tried many

> many approaches through the years including trialing GF/CF more

than once. She

> is not a responder but does well with fish oil, various vitamin

supplements

> and Evening Primrose Oil. She has an odd and limited diet.

Biggest

> challenges remain self-care, advocating for herself, focus. I am

most concerned with

> looking ahead to her adulthood and helping her find her place in

this very

> challenging world. Like all of you, I desperately want her safety

and happiness.

> I want her life to be peaceful and for her to have a meaningful

way to

> occupy herself when she is out of school. By that I mean

meaningful for her. I

> worry most ( try not to but do) about what will happen for her and

to her when I

> am no longer around. I am 46. This child is by far the most

incredible gift

> I have ever been blessed to receive. I know lots of parents of

kids with

> needs, many wonderful people, am connected to an Autism center

nearby, but I do

> struggle with feeling isolated and lonely still. I often wish for

better

> connections.

> This list is wonderful and the only one I truly keep up with.

I am

> deeply grateful to everyone who posts but especially to Sondra,

Kassi, other

> spectrum women who share of themselves and offer great insight and

advice. I only

> wish we could all live closer together and form some sort of

community.

> I will try to post more often. Happy New Year to all!

>

> Melinda

>

>

>

> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in

shape.

> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?

NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

>

>

>