Me Too - Lexi

I had the pleasure of driving with Lexi to the Chattanooga Autism Center Walk 2016 this weekend.  By ourselves in the car I knew that “Tween Music” on my Pandora would make the drive easier for her as riding in a car has never been fun for her.  She knows all the words to all the songs and when Meghan Trainor’s song “Me Too” came on Lexi asked me to turn it up.  The tune is fun to listen to.  The song is about her, I assume, and the life and times of a pop star.  Yes, it sounds a bit conceited but then it probably is pretty accurate of her life.  But it was the chorus that struck me and which Lexi loved the most.  It goes like this:

“I thank God every day (uh huh)
That I woke up feelin' this way (uh huh)
And I can't help lovin' myself
And I don't need nobody else, nuh uh”

Wow.  Powerful words for anyone to believe in.  But that Lexi is a child with Autism and wakes up every day loving herself is beautiful.  I learned this weekend that 1 girl in 189 girls are affected by Autism.  That statistic surprised me more than I can say.  I’m not sure why.  We knew from day one that Lexi was different but a diagnosis didn’t come until she was 6 years old.  Until I learned the facts about Autism, I was like every other person who judges children who are different without knowing all the facts.  Thanks to the awareness I am learning every day through the CAC, I feel more confident that I’m not judging anymore.

When Lexi asked me to turn up the song when it got to the chorus, I did it.  To sing out with joy that she is happy, confident, loves herself and thanks God for it every day; that’s all I need to know that she is on the right path and will succeed in whatever life brings her.  Her gratitude for all who participated at the walk and/or made a donation was sincere.  Her huge bear hug and genuine “thank you” she gave everyone as they left our home after the Walk, said it all.

As for me, I thank God every day for all my grandchildren and their love for each other.  I thank God every day for my family and friends who supported the Walk by sending money, prayers, and good wishes; who called, cheered us on, and sent messages of love.  It’s not about the money as much it is about the Love. 

Team Lexi

 

November 15^th – Day 15 – Mental Challenge and Journey of Gratitude

I dedicate myself on this 15^th day to do all that is nourishing, advancing, and promising! PNS

I am at times quite often astounded by the simplest act of kindness one can enact: Saying “Thank you.”  I woke up this morning and found pictures placed randomly around my house.  Each was signed, “Lexi” with a heart next to her name.  Last night the family gathered in our home, shared a meal, and welcomed old friends of my daughter and son-in-law.  At one point Lexi asked me for some blank paper and crayons. 

It had been a long day beginning with the Chattanooga Autism Awareness Walk at Coolidge Park, then a family lunch at Panera Bread, an afternoon where we gathered at the football game to watch Paige cheer, and finally back home to our house for gumbo and cornbread.  It was a day of gratitude for all who were present.  But for Lexi it was just another day, or so I thought. While the other five children played, Lexi focused on her picture which she presented to me when it was completed.  I hugged and thanked her and asked her to put it on my desk so that I could hang it up after the company left.  When I woke up this morning, I found pictures scattered all over my living room, on the floor and the furniture placed for me to find.

Children with Autism have no filter.  When they are sad or happy, you know it. But verbalizing their feelings doesn’t always come easy. The pictures were little tokens of gratitude; Lexi’s way of saying “Thank you.”

Today, I give thanks for my family and friends who supported and walked with Team Lexi, who wished us well and especially for my precious granddaughter who helps us all see life through the eyes of Love. ~ Pris

Walking in Our Shoes

I am not unfamiliar with conferences having attended my fair share over the years as a delegate for Presbyterian Women, Early Childhood Education, Girl Scouts, P.E.O., and as a visitor to the CAC’s conference “Walking in Our Shoes” yesterday. Whether it’s a group of 500 or 5,000, I always leave feeling empowered.  And yesterday was no different.

My daughter-in-law, Debbie and I attended four of the five workshops choosing to spend time in the exhibiter’s room which was filled with valuable information.  Both of us came home with goodies to share with Lexi and her parents.  I could write a book on what I learned in the three sessions I attended and what amazed me is that some of the lessons were applicable to all children, not just special needs.

One story I will share hit home dearly.  I attended the “Helping Your Child be a Successful Writer” led by Jacinta McGavock, EdD.  As a writer, this was a subject close to my heart.  I learned so much especially when she got to the part about the steps to finalizing a story and the presentation.  For months now I have been meeting with our Junior Girl Scouts working on their Bronze Award.  This past Sunday we meet, planned, discussed, and brainstormed fundraising ideas.  We did a lot, or so I thought.  Upon leaving, Paige said, “Well, that was a waste of time.”  I had to laugh.  But it didn’t occur to me until Dr. McGavock’s session that I’ve been documenting every one of our meetings (as required) but the girls have not seen the pictures, notes, and list of what we accomplished at each meeting.  Thanks to the lesson, I’m going to collect all my documentation, give it to the girls and let them start writing their presentation to the Council by using video cameras, power point presentations, scrapbooks, or whatever they can create.

I am so grateful for the Chattanooga Autism Center for this opportunity.  I could not close without adding that the highlight of the event was the keynote speakers, Gina Gallagher and Patricia Kojoian sisters and co-authors of the book “Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid.”  Creators of The Movement of Imperfection invite “parents of ‘non-perfect’ kids to come out of their messy closets and talk about the accomplishments of their children.” We laughed and cried as we heard their journeys and reflected on how all of us with imperfect children and grandchildren were walking in the same shoes.

Finally, before leaving I was able to purchase one of their books for my daughter Jennifer.  Gina signed the book with a personal message to my daughter.  And WDEF interviewed me asking me how I felt about my granddaughter Lexi.  In my four seconds of fame, I said how much I love her gift of joy and inner spirit. ~ Pris

Living Under the Autism Spectrum

Today I’m headed to the 6^th Annual Chattanooga Autism Awareness Conference, “Walking in Our Shoes” at the Chattanooga Convention Center.  My daughter-in-law Debbie and I are spending the day attending the sessions and trying to learn more about what it means to walk in the shoes of my daughter, her husband, their youngest daughter and six year-old daughter, Lexi who is in the Autism Spectrum.  Before we had a diagnosis, it was easy to think my granddaughter was what the doctors and teachers said, a misbehaved, self-centered, unfocused, daydreaming child.  I am ashamed that it took a diagnosis to recognize her gift.  Being under the spectrum is not a disease; it is a statement of fact.  We can’t make it go away, but we can find ways to live with it.

Every day her parents deal with occupational therapist, speech therapist, doctors, teachers, and so on, all trying to find what works and what doesn’t so that she can grow and learn and live a quality life that we all want her to live.  And even though we live hundreds of miles away from our sweet Lexi, we want to be ready to consistent with what she is learning at home when she is here with us visiting.  And so Debbie and I expect to come home with great ideas and be inspired to share our knowledge not only with Lexi’s parents but also with the rest of the family, including her cousins who ask why she is different. This is a valid question, because autism’s greatest spokesperson, Temple Grandin, also under the spectrum, says about herself and all the others like her, “I am different, not less.”  Many thanks to the Chattanooga Autism Center for providing this event, and many thanks to my daughter-in-law Debbie for supporting me in this effort.  Together we can make a difference. ~  Blessings, Pris