Monday, 07 November 2011

• Together We're Finding Our Voices

  

  It’s been a while since I’ve been able to write. Between work, researching schooling options for Mia (kindergarten, oh my!), trying to get back into college myself, getting Mia’s seizures under control, and summer activities, we have had a busy few months.

  Over the course of the past couple of months, Mia has been working on PECS. A picture based communication program. And, she has been doing amazingly wonderful with it! Amelia has a hard time focusing, so the start up was slow. Get her into the ‘habit’ of handing a picture over for something that she wanted from a choice of known items that she likes. She picked this up nearly immediately!

  Now, she is at the point of initiating this prompting all on her own, and she is identifying the objects in the pictures instead of just picking one and thinking she was going to get something else.

  SUCCESS!!!!!

  I am elated with her progress! I can not find to express the joy and pride I have in her accomplishment. And in how wonderful it is to see her so happy to be able to communicate something so clearly, without the guessing game that used to be.

  Now, this is just a start for her, but a big start nonetheless! Her next step in the program is to be determined, but I know that she will overcome and learn it with the same pride and determination that she puts into everything she learns!

  This communication barrier will someday be a memory, an obvious stepping stone to where she will be one day. Today, it is the hurdle that we are on the brink of clearing, and everyday presents a new achievement made!

  In helping and watching her overcome this tall wall of a problem, I am learning that having a voice is really something that should not be taken for granted. In helping her prepare for the next steps, finding appropriate schooling for her, making sure that all of her medical needs are being met, and spreading word about the Autism and Tuberous Sclerosis, I am finding that my voice is a lot bigger than I once thought. And, that it can really make a difference in our lives together. As a mother and daughter, and as a community.

  Yes, I’ve mentioned numerous times that I have learned so much from having Mia in my life. More than most will ever begin to imagine. And this is just one more lesson learned. Stand up and be heard! It can lead to great things for you, your kids, your family, and all those you interact with. No matter what your voice is, no matter what type of communication tools you have to use, it’s what you feel, think, and dream that really matter.

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