Way back in September of 2014, I began a the journey to get my son a service dog. Of course, the journey really began before that with the decision to begin the process of getting a service dog for Thatcher. As you all know, Thatcher has Autism, which comes with sensory processing disorder and a tendency to wander away from caretakers and into danger. While a GPS tracking device could help if Thatcher should escape, it isn't as accurate as a dog's sniffer and it also isn't a preventative measure. So, now it's been almost three years since I sent in Thatcher's application packet and now we are on our last fundraiser!!! This last one is specifically for travel expenses and any additional funds that we receive will go toward initial dog expenses. The last fundraiser ends on August 20, 2017 (just 4 days from now) and we will be going to Xenia, Ohio for a two week training class in November of this year!
Here is the link for the Thirty One Fundraiser if you'd like to make a purchase:
https://www.mythirtyone.com/1936767/shop/Party/EventDetail/10103759
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Why No Updates?
Greetings Followers,
I am sure that you have noticed that I just haven't posted nearly as often. A lot has happened in the last couple of years that have prevented me from devoting any attention to my blog. First, there was "the big move." Not a physical move, but a virtual one. I had considered moving this blog to another platform and tried my best to move posts to either Tumblr or WordPress. It turns out, however, that I am pretty partial to Blogger and have been with them for a long time. Then, there were new diagnoses. Thatcher has now been diagnosed with Epilepsy and Celiac. More on those conditions later. And then there was the fight with the school over Thatcher breaking his arm and the school not notifying his parents or filing an incident report of any kind, despite him obviously falling at school. More on that later, too. And then there was the loss of my job. I was teaching and I loved it, but because of budget cuts and a not so wonderful governor, I am no longer teaching, despite wanting to. I am working and the people that I work with are nice, but the job is definitely not a career path for me. And so, life has been crazy recently. We have spent hours, days, even in hospitals just looking for answers and taking care of Thatcher's needs and are finally close to knowing exactly what to do for our son and getting some much needed answers. I have also spent a great deal of time fundraising for him to have his very own Autism Assistance Service Dog and have spent the last two years (maybe a bit more) fundraising for this cause. I was also given a position on the board of my local Autism Society chapter and life has been so crazy that I haven't even had much time for Facebook, if you can imagine that! But here I am, back at it, typing away on the blog and will have to make sure to come back for regular updates much more often. I hope you all haven't forgotten me and understand the crazy life that is parenting a special need's child and I hope that this blog helps other parents understand that they are not alone. You are not alone. We are all in this together and I see you, with your puzzle piece license plate, you struggling to make your kid stay next to you in the store, the fear on your face when your child tries to bolt from the door. I have been there. I know your fear, your pain, your worry, and your joy when your child finally says, "I love you." I salute all of you parents who make this work every day. You all are my heroes.
I am sure that you have noticed that I just haven't posted nearly as often. A lot has happened in the last couple of years that have prevented me from devoting any attention to my blog. First, there was "the big move." Not a physical move, but a virtual one. I had considered moving this blog to another platform and tried my best to move posts to either Tumblr or WordPress. It turns out, however, that I am pretty partial to Blogger and have been with them for a long time. Then, there were new diagnoses. Thatcher has now been diagnosed with Epilepsy and Celiac. More on those conditions later. And then there was the fight with the school over Thatcher breaking his arm and the school not notifying his parents or filing an incident report of any kind, despite him obviously falling at school. More on that later, too. And then there was the loss of my job. I was teaching and I loved it, but because of budget cuts and a not so wonderful governor, I am no longer teaching, despite wanting to. I am working and the people that I work with are nice, but the job is definitely not a career path for me. And so, life has been crazy recently. We have spent hours, days, even in hospitals just looking for answers and taking care of Thatcher's needs and are finally close to knowing exactly what to do for our son and getting some much needed answers. I have also spent a great deal of time fundraising for him to have his very own Autism Assistance Service Dog and have spent the last two years (maybe a bit more) fundraising for this cause. I was also given a position on the board of my local Autism Society chapter and life has been so crazy that I haven't even had much time for Facebook, if you can imagine that! But here I am, back at it, typing away on the blog and will have to make sure to come back for regular updates much more often. I hope you all haven't forgotten me and understand the crazy life that is parenting a special need's child and I hope that this blog helps other parents understand that they are not alone. You are not alone. We are all in this together and I see you, with your puzzle piece license plate, you struggling to make your kid stay next to you in the store, the fear on your face when your child tries to bolt from the door. I have been there. I know your fear, your pain, your worry, and your joy when your child finally says, "I love you." I salute all of you parents who make this work every day. You all are my heroes.
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Thatcher is Getting a Service Dog!!!
Yes, I realize that I haven't posted in a long time and a lot has happened since the last time I posted. I will post the whole story later today, but in the meantime, here is just a tiny bit of information. Thatcher is getting an Autism Assistance Service Dog from 4 Paws for Ability and we are so close to class that it is actually time for a timer!!!
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