1 year ago our lives changed (well actually one year ago tomorrow)
1 year ago Kaiden was diagnosed with autism.
1 year ago I did not even know where to start, where to turn, who to talk to, what to do.
1 year ago I felt like giving up.
How glad a I am that I did not.
There have been tears (countless nights). I cannot tell you the number of times I have asked myself why?? Yes I know that I have not lived my life perfectly. Sometimes I blame that.
When we took Kaiden to get diagnosed I think part of me knew and the other part thought it was just something that wasn't clicking just yet.
So, we got the diagnosis and took off. Digging for resources, therapists, teachers, centers, ANYONE and everything that could help. We started therapy almost immediately. We also got a lot of questioning from this. "But he's only two, he doesn't need it yet" "That's alot of therapy for such a little boy" "Don't you think that's too much"
No, the more the better. No we are not trying to over do it. We are trying to give our little boy the life he deserves.
That's when I had to completely "makeover" my life. It was no longer about me.
We began therapy 4 days a week....starting with an in home therapy that came with a quite a price tag......$1700 a month....and that was just one therapy.We quickly realized something had to change.
One day I was sitting at a teacher inservice. A lady overheard me telling my story to my coworkers. She so innocently interupted and asked if she could talk to me. She began telling me her story. She had a kindergarten son who was diagnosed when he was 2. He is now in a regular ed classroom with only minimal help once a day. She told me of a place in Irving that was affordable. I looked into it but it took us a while to get started.
As I was working and researching the Brent Woodall Center in Irving, Kaiden was also receiving speech, developmental and occupational therapy at daycare with ECI. This would not be possible without the Roses. Another miracle for us. They have blessed our lives in more ways than one. Not only do they let therapists come into their home twice a week, they never ONCE complain about it. Not only do they have to help Kaiden eat, draw, color, read...they NEVER complain about it. THEY HELP US. I met Randy (Mr. Randy) the year I had Kaiden. He was working at my school with an autistic student and I also taught his son. Our hour long conversation in the hallway, was one of the three most important conversations of my life:)
Fast forward a couple of months and we got more great news. The University of North Texas had two great opportunities for us. One was speech therapy in which we received a scholarship for and the other was a study they were doing on children with autism. In both of these situations we met even more amazing people who still continue to work with Kaiden.
We spent 9 months driving to Irving after school two days a week as well as driving to Denton two days a week. I NEED AN ELECTRIC CAR!!!!!
I am sooooo excited to say that next week Kaiden will start ALL of his therapies in DENTON.
There have been sooooo many people who have been there in this journey. My parents have been here every step of the way. All I have to do is pick up the phone and they are here helping me. Kaiden's dad and step mom and I have come together as a family to help our little man. My friends Jayme and Mike have helped in more ways they know about. My aunts in Hamilton have blessed us multiple times. Once again, the Roses, I will never be able to repay them. My church has been so very supportive in ways more than just praying for me. I LOVE MY CHURCH! And my numerous other friends who have seen me cry, scream, gripe, complain, and whine. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!
Kaiden is one blessed little boy. I know there are great things in store for him. The road has just started and he will overcome in his own way:)
