A Monster Size Dream Comes True!

It seems like when good things come they come all at once or maybe it is just that we are finally in a good place to enjoy the milestones that we are reaching everyday. It seems like I am seeing progress daily in Harrison and his abilities. I wonder if it is just because he is more confident in himself or because I am more confident in his abilities. I know that hearing the words "Harrison is so smart" at his conference has eased our minds so much about school that we are enjoying the everyday things more! Here is a video that Dave shot showing just how much fun we had at the Checkered Flag Productions Event in Wenatchee, WA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIM4evcS-WM

Huge Thank you to Rebuilding Together

What a suprise when a neighbor came over wtih a copy of an email that was sent to her by her employer Providence Health Care asking them to help support the Program Rebuilding Together Spokane that shared our story...

Rebuilding Together is a Non-Profit that helps veterans with minor home repair. In December while giving away some surplus pull-ups (yeah-no more pullups- we finally made it to potty trained) on Craigs list I ran across a posting for this agency that was looking for veterans in our neighborhood to help with minor home repair. I called and spoke with Cody who I am sure was suprised when I wanted to know the income guidelines for the program. He wanted to know about us. We made application and met with staff of the non-profit right before Christmas. We were hopeful but did not expect anything. The week of my birthday in January we were notified that Rebuilding Together had chosen our family to assist and not only with the painting and fixing the handrails leading into the house that our home owners insurance wants done but they were going to try to get us a new heating system and hot water heater. We were overjoyed!

The work day is scheduled for April 24th! We are so excited and so blessed! THANK YOU!

A good Conference

It was so nice to go to a school conference and get a one page sheets outlining Harrisons strengths and areas for improvement.

The strengths can not all be explained by maturing but some can and any of the areas for improvement were directly related to Autism. He is reading at grade level which is a huge accomplishment.

We are planning on working with the school to make a difference in writing which continues to be a HUGE issue. We are interested in if anyone has information on assistive technology that works for writing/fine motor academics we dont even know where to start looking...

Have a great day!

An Amazing Adventure

Have you ever felt like your life is just happening all around you? I have for a long time and it finally seems that we are on the right track. The school year has progressed very well. Harrison is still currently unserviced by Spokane Public Schools because we refused services last spring. He has learned to read. We are still struggling with writing and performance on demand issues however it is much easier to see what he is learning and how you can help with the "hard" stuff when you are allowed to be part of the process.

Harrison has new friends who hang out with us often. Because we are in our neighborhood school we have met many of our neighbors and they have embraced Harrison like one of their own. He has been invited to multiple birthday parties and play dates (We have had the play dates here-I know if need to let him go out too). Many of Harrisons classmates live within a 3 block area so it is nice to know that we will see them this summer while out riding bikes and our scooter.

Harrisons love of Monster Trucks is even more strong than it was last year. He love to see the trucks on SPEED. We have attended Monster Jam in Feburary and then a CheckerFlag Productions Event in Pasco in March. My vote is to got to the Checkered Flag Productions Events as they are really what Monster Truck and Off Road Racing is all about...It really is an awesome show...in a week or so I will share what we were able to do because of them! Lets Just say that Checkered Flag Productions is making a huge dream come true for Harrison!

On a positive note: I will be working with Families Together for People with Disabilities to provide trainings on Transitions into Adulthood and a workshop that is designed to assist family with elementary age children make positive choices in education planning and life planning. Be looking for those soon here in the Spokane Area!