Day 9 and 10

[Guest guest]

Day 9

We were out of the house Saturday for 12 hours which is a record for our family!

Twelve hours and most of it 'we' had to keep up with !! She's gone from

not wanting or able to do much of anything except watch TV all day to it seems

wanting to learn and explore everything about this world she appears to have

just discovered! Fortunately the nutriiveda is easy to travel with as it's just

a powder that we can mix in her yogurt,drink, anything. still likes it

mixed in yogurt the most.

Mel is really enjoying her touchscreen computer and has discovered how to use it

on her own which again is incredible. Even though we were out of the house most

of the day, instead of spending the rest of the time watching TV, Mel wanted to

be on her computer. Her computer was off so she went and turned it on and then

came and got me to help her with her password. Mel is able to type with support

to the wrist due to her motor planning so she typed in her password and told me

" bye " so I walked away and allowed her to get to her program and play her game

on her own.

Independent pointing has always been an issue with Mel due to her motor

planning. So the question had remained if Mel could read. Well yesterday with

camera in hand we video taped Mel while I was holding out two or three word

cards no pictures and asked her to take a certain word. Mel had 100% accuracy

yesterday which proves she does read and validates our belief in her all those

years that others gave up in her. We are so proud of her.

Day 10

Today Mel went by herself with her sisters to the Mall to shop and have lunch!

Being that this is still one of the first times is able to be out with

her sisters without me or my husband there to help I called several times

thinking that I would need to meet them and get Mel. Mel really has always made

it clear she doesn't like shopping prior. It could be due to her sensory issues

but she would quickly be in pain and want to go home. But today she enjoyed her

day out with her sisters.

I asked this morning before she left was she going to miss me and her

answer was " no " which both shocked me; and made us all laugh. At 25 years old

Mel is growing up! Mel then followed then up with a great big kiss on the cheek

and a great big hug (again she used to never be able to motor plan to do this

spontaneously) and then she was out in the car in the garage with her seatbelt

on just waiting for her sisters. We use to have to walk her to the car and then

help her with her seatbelt.

Mel is also now able to do something when asked. After had her

nutriiveda with her breakfast, I asked her to take her bowl and spoon and place

in the kitchen sink and she did it without any further instructions. Again that

may not seem like much for a 25 year old but many that are reading this have no

idea what 's life has been like up till just about a week ago. Her

background and all the therapies and attempts to help her are all well

documented. So we made sure that we are video taping as much as possible now

for Mel's doctors appt tomorrow.

Just like Mel's new fascination with the world, appears to have

discovered the joy of other people and is so much more interactive with others

now. Yesterday she took my sister in law's father hand very gently as he is in

his 70's and she looked into his eyes and smiled at him like she was seeing him

for the very first time. Mel's Uncle went to tickle her and she ran and was

laughing at the same time. In the past Mel would just stand there as if she

wasn't aware, or she didn't care; it was hard to know. So often now I wonder

what was going on in her head before. I had to wonder how many times would Mel

loved to have just ran to tease him as he was teasing her. When I was telling

Mel's Uncle about her walking in the park Mel began to walk in place to show him

and said " see " as she was demonstrating how she is walking now with her arms

swinging with a huge smile on her face. Mel's over all disposition was very

happy and her confidence seems to have soared. Due to the years of being

treated by the school system as autistic ironically seemed to create lack of eye

contact. Now instead of ignoring others now she looks everyone right in the eye

when they are speaking to her. All I can think right now is WOW! What a

weekend!

I hope for 's blog to be up at http://www.pursuitofresearch.org soon so

all can see the photos and videos as well!

Thank you!

Robin (a VERY happy mom!)