Break is over. Today was my 4th day of class in the new semester. Already kicking me around a little bit. The holidays were fantastic. Even though I was going a little stir crazy with cabin fever at the end, I really enjoyed the time off. Aside from the lack of funds, being a student beats the hell out of working for a living.
So, this semester my classes are pretty much the same. I'm taking the next sessions of Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. Plus, I'm taking a fitness swimming class. In 1991, I got my lifeguard certification. Today, sadly, I realized that some of the women I'm in school with were probably only about 2 at the time. My first lifeguarding job was at a daycare center's pool. In fact, I could've been lifeguarding some of the very classmates that are now kicking my ass in chemistry. Pretty sad, huh? Well, just to make up for it, I've decided on showing up for the first day of swim class in the following swimsuit:
Of course, I'd probably lose a testicle and put someone's eye out with that thing if I actually dove into the water and tried to swim. Plus, I'd probably get my ass kicked swiftly and sued. Most likely, I'd have to fend off tons of unwanted romantic advances from the ladies while reminding them that I'm married. It's a tough life I lead.
Anywho, I'm back, baby!
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1 comment:
i think electric blue is more your color anyways.
it's amy reed. john roberts sent me the link to this crazy journal thing of yours.
it sounds like you're having a blast with the school life. my husband is just about to finish up his mba as a matter of fact. did you hear we had a 5th baby?! yeah, he's a mess- 6 mos now.
are you going into pediatrics? or what? speaking of pediatrics, did you know that our son has Autism? i should copy and paste our oldest 8th grade speech project to ya. i'm very proud of her.
ok i gotta go check on the kiddies.
take care
amy (marielle's speech follows)
My Biggest Challenge is having a loved one with Autism. For those of you who don’t know what autism is it is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 166 individuals are diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.
My parents were concerned about my little brother Charlie when he still wasn’t talking and was about to turn 3 years old. After having a speech evaluation administered at age 3, the Speech Pathologist recommended he have further testing at an early intervention program. The Speech Pathologist did find that Charlie had severe receptive and expressive language disorder along with Auditory Processing Disorder. These disorders mean that not only did he not understand language he was hearing but he couldn’t express thoughts verbally either.
My mom took my brother to Special Start, which is an early intervention program for Dawson Co. There they tested my brother and concluded that he needed every resource available because not only was the Speech Pathologist correct in her findings but the team at Special Start also found that Charlie was significantly developmentally delayed. Developementally delayed means that even though Charlie was 3 years old his behavior and language development was only at 18 months. Charlie was enrolled in January of 2003 at Special Start. He was given speech, occupational and behavioral therapy. My parents also had him enrolled in private speech and aquatic therapy as well as H.I.P.P.O, in which incorporates, riding horses in the occupational therapy.
Lifting Spirits Therapy is an organization where Charlie has H.I.P.P.O. Once enrolled Charlie learned the basics of riding by people with such huge caring hearts. Mom said I could volunteer and I jumped right into it. Helping my brother was the best thing I could do for him.
When we were all trying to digest everything Charlie was going to need from learning sign language to all the therapies I just broke down and started crying. All I could think about was how was I going to cope with something so alien to me? I also worried, knowing that my brother is not going to be like a regular brother. Especially when he goes to school, he might get hurt, teased or worse bullied just because he is different. I also know that as his oldest sister I have to stay strong for him and let him know I’ll always be here for him.
Charlie enrolled in Pre-k at age 4 and continued at Special Start. There he began to learn how to count a little, his colors and how to socially interact with his peers. Charlie has a great sense of humor and loves to make us laugh. He is like a comedy palace. He loves movies. He memorizes all the parts and acts it out. His favorite animals are the dinosaurs. He is awesome at roaring like a T-Rex and screeching like a phteradon. Sometimes when he was in his room I would sneak up at the door and watch him play. His imagination can soar beyond belief. When he would see me a big smile came across his face and with a twinkle in his eye he would say I love you! He would come up to me for a big hug and kiss and I would whisper in his ear “I’m here for you, I love Charlie with all my heart.”
Charlie enrolled into Kindergarten at age 5. Kindergarten was mainly an adjustment to elementary school but by the end of the year he could write his name, count to 20 and say his ABCs.
Even though Charlie made great improvements his kindergarten year he wasn’t ready for 1st grade. His teacher wanted to keep him with her another year to give him a better fighting chance at 1st grade. My parents were in complete agreement with his teacher and now Charlie is doing so much better this time around. He can recognize numbers and the alphabet. He is beginning to read and talking with more understanding in simple conversations. Charlie is 7 now and he has made such miraculous strides to understand the world around him.
Having a loved one with Autism has been a challenge because every situation that would seem to be a normal thing like going to a movie, the grocery store, the library, friends house or friend coming to our house, birthday parties, holidays at large family gatherings, the park, sports, or just going outside to play has been geared around what Charlie can or can not handle. A lot of times not only the actual event is stressful but the calming down period at home is just as much a challenge.
Because of these challenges I have become more sensitive and patient with those who are challenged mentally or physically. It also has opened my eyes to what can seem unfair in life and made me more appreciative of my own good health and abilities. Lastly it has made me realize that the challenged children or adults in our society have feelings and their own unique personalities that we could all learn from if we could just take the time and give them a chance.
Having a loved one with Autism is a challenge but in the end I know as Charlie’s biggest sister who held him when my parents brought him home from the hospital and looked at him thinking he is such a perfectly formed little miracle. He was so precious and so sweet, I will protect him always. So even though some may think his behavior on the outside makes him different; to me he is my sweet 7 year old little brother and I wouldn’t change a thing about him.
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