Hi All!

[Guest guest]

Thanks for responding. We are gonna continue to go to church. I'm gonna meet

with the minister and tell him the advice I've gotten from this group nad see

what can be done. We are trying to change the church and hopefully draw in new

members, hopefully with more kids. To be able to have more childifriendly

activities we gotta get more children. I'll give it some time, but if it doesn't

get better I will start looking at other churches. This has been my church since

I was born- 25 years!! So it would be hard to leave but my children need more.

le

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone powered by Centennial Wireless.

Re: Hi all!

I'm like you -- typically I can keep it together during tough times

unless someone comes up and starts talking nice to me. Then I start to

cry. You're doing the right things. The lady at church who talked to

you sounds like she'd really like you to stay and she really means that

it's okay for Cali to come. People who aren't familiar with kids with

disabilities often do feel sorry for us but when they get to know us and

our kids better they see our kids more as normal people with problems

(if that makes any sense.) Then they see the good things about our kids

too and that our life can be good even though it's hard at times.

So often and in so many places we have to deal with social rejection

based on our kids' behaviors. And even if our kids behave wonderfully

we're still on edge somewhat because we're looking for signs that the

situation is going to deteriorate. A lot of our families quit church

because it's optional -- unlike the grocery store and the doctor's

office. That's what I did (though I had theological differences too.)

When I look back on it I realize that most of the tension I felt there

was because I was worried how people would react more than because of

their actual reactions. Also " proper " church behavior is typically very

formal and demanding -- more so than at school or anywhere else. Our

kids' behavior really shows up there and it's in much greater contrast

compared to all the other kids who are sitting still & listening (or at

least pretending to).

Some of the big churches in our town have been developing ministries for

families with special need kids. Special sunday school classes or

training for their teachers and probably other stuff I don't know

about. You could check out the other churches in your town and see if

any look like a good fit for you. Or you could do an internet search on

special needs ministry and see what churches are doing, then talk to

your church about implementing some of those programs. You could also

ask the minister for a few minutes to stand up and talk to the

congregation. You could briefly describe your daughter and list her

behaviors that might happen at church and assure them that if things get

too disruptive you'll take her out. Tell them you really think church

is important for you and your daughter and you'd like very much to

continue there -- but you will also address difficulties as they come

up. I bet you'll have everyone on your side in no time. I also bet

you'll have at least three people come up to you afterward and say they

have relatives with autism and they'll ask a whole lot of questions.

Whatever you decide to do, don't neglect your spiritual needs. If

attending church doesn't work out, try a bible study group or something

similar. Good luck!

-- Cassie

pinkcallieblind@... wrote:

>Hi everyone! I haven't posted anything in a while..been so busy with the kids..

Today was such a bad day for my daughter- age 6-blind and autistic. I took her

to church like always, and today I guess she didn't want to be there. She

started fussing so I let her sit with my dad, which usually makes her happy. It

didn't help. I gave her headphones to listen to her favorite music and that

didn't help either. She started screaming and having a huge meltdown in church.

Everyone starts staring, some are giving me dirty looks and some look so sad for

me and Cali. I take her as quickly as possible to the nursery, but they can all

still hear her. I feel like she is interrupting everyone so I decide to leave. I

was doing really well keeping myself together, till an aunt came meet me. She

started saying that my daughter was " special " and that everyone understands that

cali will have these " moments " and they aren't mad, they feel sorry for her.

That made me break down crying. I was told be all her therapists not to feel

sorry for her, to treat her as a " normal " child. I don't want others to feel

sorry for her. Am I wrong for that? I go to a very small church, and cali is the

only child they know with disabilities. The same goes with my family- cali is

the only child in family with any kind of disability, so most of them baby her

and cry in front of her. Should I just let it go? And should I continue to allow

her to attend church with the family? I'd hate to break that weekly ritual but I

don't wanna make others uncomfortable. I'm sorry for going on about this, but it

really upset me and I know I can count on this group for support and advise.

Thanks for listening everyone. I feel better just for talking bout it.

>Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone powered by Centennial Wireless.

>

>------------------------------------

>

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>

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>

>

>

--

-- Cassie Zupke

Director, Open Doors Now

Click the link below to join our new Open Doors Now group information site to

access all our group news, calendar, forums, and current autism information.

http://www.bigtent.com/hosted/opndrs/invitation?hosted_key=a46063592584264652878\

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[Guest guest]

Please do join us Connie!

Private email me your measurements at 'winwithlifelift@...'

Welcome aboard to our Fabulous and Fit February!

Love, Wanda

>

> Is it too late to join challenge for Feb. ? Love, Connie

>

[Guest guest]

DACIA... The period issue. I had the same problem a while back. For some odd reason hubby doesn't like the idea of a full hysterectomy. So I am now taking BC again. BUT good thing is I just spot monthly. BAD thing is if my HBP goes up, then I will have to consider alternative. Ablation is my next step before hysterectomy. For whatever reason if I go off pill. I will go months without and then BAM bleed for weeks on end. Until either hormones are giving to stop it OR it stops on its own.

N.H.

[Guest guest]

Darci, I've said it before and I'll say it again.

I really think you're doing a great job maintaining. I honestly think that no

one weighs in at the exact same weight each and every week of their lives even

when they aren't fighting a past weight problem.

It's perfectly normal to go up and down in a couple pound range. Especially

when there are so many things in life that affect us.

Also remember that stress is one of those things that can show us a weight gain

that isn't really there. And that stress can be Good or Bad stress, doesn't

matter which.

Nice to see your update, and thanks for being here.

fireangel

>

> Thought I'd stop by and give a quick update on all that is going on here with

me.

>

> Some of you know that my husband is a missionary to the deaf in our church's

denomination. The past few years have been somewhat chaotic and a little bit

unstable. Things are finally settling down. We still aren't sure where 's

salary will be coming from -- but we are now free to go and do our own

fundraising.

>

> Our oldest son, , will be graduating from Concordia University Wisconsin

the middle of May. This is the son that was born extremely premature (born at

23 weeks and weighed in at 1 1/2 pounds at birth) and we were told that if he

survived his first year he would be severely and permanently brain damaged and

unable to function on his own. Ha! We showed them! He has been accepted to

and will begin studying at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis next fall --

following in his dad's footsteps and going into deaf ministry. (He is deaf/hard

of hearing himself and considers sign language his first language.) And, last

week he became engaged to his girlfriend. Will be a long engagement as she has

2 more years to go before she finishes college.

>

> Our youngest son, ph, will be graduating from Blackhawk Tech College on

the exact same day as his brother graduates from Concordia. But, he has told us

that since it was a 1-year program and that he will be going on to college in

the Fall that we don't have to attend his graduation (he isn't planning on

attending either.) He will be moving to North Dakota in the fall to attend

North Dakota State School of Science and begin their 3-year diesel mechanic

program. This will help us out a lot since he will be about 30 minutes away

from my parents.

>

> My parents are still having health problems. Dad continues to be under the

care of their local hospice program. He is in kidney failure and refuses to do

dialysis. It really is just a matter of time for him -- but he is holding on

longer than any of us anticipated. I am making frequent trips back and forth to

see how they are doing.

>

> And, I have been having my own health concerns. I have been having the TOM

that will not end. Has been going for about weeks now. Doctor sent me in for

an ultrasound this past week -- suspects uterine fibroids. Have a possible

hysterectomy in my near future. I am just so tired all of the time -- have

become anemic and my energy level has been somewhat nonexistent.

>

> With all that is going on right now -- I am just trying to maintain and hold

my own as far as my weight is concerned. My blood sugars and blood pressure

have been in the acceptable range. That is my goal right now. Just the thought

of exercising makes me tired.

>

> Again, just thought I'd stop by and let you all know that I really haven't

dropped off the face of the earth. I do read all of the emails that are posted;

and I do apologize for not participating more often.

>

>

> Dacia

> <><

>

>

> Jesus said, " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you

as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. "

14:27

>

[Guest guest]

You sure do have a lot on your plate right now! Congrats on your son's graduations. My first grandchild was premature at 2 pounds and was not expected to survive, but he did and he is the healthiest of all my grandchildren!

Hope the health issues improve and hope to see you back on plan soon!

Ann HStarted 09/01/09307/254/157 poundsMy Weightloss Journal:http://threeherring.wordpress.com/

From: Dacia

Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 8:52 AM

100-plus

Subject: Hi All!

Thought I'd stop by and give a quick update on all that is going on here with me.Some of you know that my husband is a missionary to the deaf in our church's denomination. The past few years have been somewhat chaotic and a little bit unstable. Things are finally settling down. We still aren't sure where 's salary will be coming from -- but we are now free to go and do our own fundraising. Our oldest son, , will be graduating from Concordia University Wisconsin the middle of May. This is the son that was born extremely premature (born at 23 weeks and weighed in at 1 1/2 pounds at birth) and we were told that if he survived his first year he would be severely and permanently brain damaged and unable to function on his own. Ha! We showed them! He has been accepted to and will begin studying at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis next fall -- following in his dad's footsteps and going into deaf ministry. (He is deaf/hard of hearing himself and considers sign language his first language.) And, last week he became engaged to his girlfriend. Will be a long engagement as she has 2 more years to go before she finishes college.Our youngest son, ph, will be graduating from Blackhawk Tech College on the exact same day as his brother graduates from Concordia. But, he has told us that since it was a 1-year program and that he will be going on to college in the Fall that we don't have to attend his graduation (he isn't planning on attending either.) He will be moving to North Dakota in the fall to attend North Dakota State School of Science and begin their 3-year diesel mechanic program. This will help us out a lot since he will be about 30 minutes away from my parents.My parents are still having health problems. Dad continues to be under the care of their local hospice program. He is in kidney failure and refuses to do dialysis. It really is just a matter of time for him -- but he is holding on longer than any of us anticipated. I am making frequent trips back and forth to see how they are doing.And, I have been having my own health concerns. I have been having the TOM that will not end. Has been going for about weeks now. Doctor sent me in for an ultrasound this past week -- suspects uterine fibroids. Have a possible hysterectomy in my near future. I am just so tired all of the time -- have become anemic and my energy level has been somewhat nonexistent. With all that is going on right now -- I am just trying to maintain and hold my own as far as my weight is concerned. My blood sugars and blood pressure have been in the acceptable range. That is my goal right now. Just the thought of exercising makes me tired. Again, just thought I'd stop by and let you all know that I really haven't dropped off the face of the earth. I do read all of the emails that are posted; and I do apologize for not participating more often.

Dacia

<><

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 14:27

[Guest guest]

My goal is to get thru the health issues that are going on with me. I am totally amazed at how much this is affecting me. I don't feel sick -- but I don't feel well either. I am getting tired of being tired!I think that once my health issues are resolved; then I will be able to focus on getting me back on plan and healthy again. Dacia<>< Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 14:27

[Guest guest]

Ablation is my next step before hysterectomy

Ablation = a godsend!

I had mine in August and maybe had a half a period since LOL!! WONDERFUL!!

I still have the hormones, so that's why you hear me report about PMS/TOM feelings and feeding some of the issues, but no flow.... yay!!

[Guest guest]

> Ha! We showed them! He has been accepted to and will begin studying

at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis next fall

Congrats to all of you, Dacia! Great news!

> Our youngest son, ph, will be graduating from Blackhawk Tech

College on the exact same day as his brother graduates from Concordia.

More congrats!

> we don't have to attend his graduation (he isn't planning on attending

either.)

My son didn't go to either of his graduations. Less than half of each

class did, he heard.

> I have been having the TOM that will not end. Has been going for

about weeks now. Doctor sent me in for an ultrasound this past week --

suspects uterine fibroids. Have a possible hysterectomy in my near

future. I am just so tired all of the time -- have become anemic and my

energy level has been somewhat nonexistent.

Hopefully you'll find out what the problem is and the solution will be

simple, like 's procedure she had done last year.

> My blood sugars and blood pressure have been in the acceptable range.

And even more congratulations! LOL

> Again, just thought I'd stop by and let you all know that I really

haven't dropped off the face of the earth.

I knew you've been busy, and with this being Holy Week, even more so.

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck to you and the entire family with,

well, everything!

Sue in NJ

[Guest guest]

My name is Chésa, but since most people don't have international keyboards, you

can simply write Chesa. It is pronounced Chaysa. With that out of the way, let

me explain my situation.

Both my brother and I have AS. I have eight children, who all definitely have

AS, and one 3-month-old who may have it...we'll just have to wait and see.

With that said, I don't know if I even belong here, as I know what I went

through, but I know that I am not most people. I have been reading, and it

seems like most of you are parents of kids with AS. Well, I definitely fit in

that category. So, I guess, I do fit in somewhere. I just don't feel like it

at the moment. Hopefully, that will change.

I was not given early intervention therapy. My brother was. He was the favored

child and I wasn't. Let's just keep it simple.

I joined this group to receive support from those parents of children with AS,

and from any adults who may have AS. If this is not the place for me, then if

someone could point me in the right direction, I would be much appreciated.

While I am interested in helping my children with the most up-to-date methods

available, I am also needing to network with other adults with AS.

All my children are in early intervention therapy, and all have been diagnosed,

with the exception of the youngest, who is only three months old.

Just introducing myself, because I'd like to start participating.

--

Sincerely,

|

Chésa