OT: Happy Mother's Day...

[Guest guest]

Penny, this one is specially for you!!!!

-----------------------------------------

I am ......for mothers.By Guppy, May 2000

I am the little engine that did. When on my journey in life, my

tracks led me to

a mountain - a diagnosis of Autism - I looked at it with defeat -

thinking there

was no way I could climb over it. I then pondered the obstacle before

me, and I

then said to myself over and over, " I think I can, I think I can..., "

then I

slowly started climbing the mountain saying to myself over and

over, " I know I

can, I know I can,.... " and then I made it over that ominous

diagnosis of Autism

and continued my journey. I am the little engine that did.

I am more devoted than Noah's wife. I am cooped up in

this " houseboat " for 365

days and 365 nights a year, constantly taking care of and cleaning up

after my

" herd of animals. " And when the storms of isolation and monotony

become most

unbearable, I do not jump ship. Instead I wait for the rainbow that

is sure to

come.

I am Xena. Real life warrior goddess of Autism. With my steel plated

armor I can

fight anyone who gets in the way of progress for my child. I can

fight the

stares and ignorance of typpies - those without autism in their

lives - and

educate them as to why my child is the way he is, and why he does the

things he

does. I can fight the schools to have them properly educate my child.

And I can

fight denied insurance claims to get coverage for my child. Yes, I am

Xena - and

I am armed for battle...

I am Betsy Ross. I am part of History by my contribution to the

Autism Awareness

Quilt -- many pieces of fabric representing many states, stitched

together, that

will collectively symbolize Freedom. Freedom from the lack of

information about

Autism, Freedom from not knowing what causes Autism, and Freedom from

the lack

of funding and research to treat, overcome, and live with - Autism.

Like Betsy's

piece of fabric, my piece of fabric will someday sit in a museum, for

others to

see my 12.5 x 12.5 inch memorial of a battle well fought. Whether my

child is

" cured " in my lifetime does not matter, in the end what will matter

to me and to

my child, is that I never surrendered.

I am the Bionic Woman. I have X-Ray vision - I can see through the

mask of

autism on my child's face, and see the beauty in his soul and the

intelligence

in his eyes --- when others can't. I have super-hearing - I can look

at my child

when he smiles at me, and hear his voice say, " I Love You Mommy, " ---

even

though he can't talk. Yes, I am thankful to be Bionic.

I am . A not so well known mother of an Autistic child who was

brought here

to touch the souls of those around him, in a way that will forever

change them.

And it started with me. By teaching me things I would never have

known, by

bringing me friendships I never would have had, and by opening my

eyes as to

what really matters in life. Things like keeping the Faith, never

losing Hope,

and knowing a Love that that words cannot express. Yes, I too am

blessed by a

special child, just like .

I am Superwoman. I am able to leap over tall loads of laundry in a

single bound,

and run faster than a speeding bullet, to chase my child as he dashes

out the

front door and heads for the busy street. Oh yes, without a doubt, I

am

Superwoman.

I am Moses. I am doing my part in leading other parents and society

to more

awareness, knowledge, and resources, and most of all - Faith. Like

Moses did, I

too, will sometimes meet with resistance from those who don't

believe. And like

Moses, God will give me the small Miracles here and there, needed to

accomplish

my mission.

I am Stretch Armstrong - a mom that can be stretched beyond belief -

and still

somehow return to normal. I can stretch limited funds to cover every

treatment

and therapy that insurance won't. I can stretch my patience as I

explain my

child's biomedical issues with yet another uneducated doctor. I can

stretch what

time I have, and share it with my husband, my children, my friends,

and still

have some leftover to help others. Yes, my name is Stretch. And I

have the

stretch-marks to prove it!

I am Parks. I refuse to move or waver in what I believe is right

for my

child --simply because my view is the minority, not the majority. I

refuse to

believe " What can one mother do? " But instead, I will write, call,

and rally to

the government, and do whatever it takes to bring equality for my

child.

I am Hercules. The Greek god known for strength and courage. The

heavy loads I

must carry would make others crumble to the ground. The weight of

Sorrow, Fear

at uncertainty of the future, Injustice at having no answers, and

from Tears of

despair, would alone possibly be too much, --- even for Hercules. But

then the

Joy, Laughter, Smiles, and Tears of pride, - at my child's

accomplishments, -

balance the load to make it easy to bear.

I am touched by an Angel. An Angel who is often described as living

in a world

of his own. And it's true. He lives in a world of innocence and

purity. A world

without hatred or deceit. A world where everyone is beautiful and

where no-one

is ugly. A world where there is always enough time. A world where he

goes to bed

with no worries of tomorrow and wakes up with no regrets of the past.

Yes, I

most certainly am touched by an Angel, and I sometimes think that his

world is

better..

I am a mom of a special needs child, all the above, and so much more.

Some days

I will want to be none of the above - and just be a typical mom with

a typical

child, doing typical things. On those days I will know it's o.k. to

be angry,

and to cry, and to lean on my friends for support. Because after

all, ---the

most important thing I am, ... is human.

********

And on this special day, and every other day I need to, I will read

this as a

reminder, of just who it is, ~ I am..

---------------------------------

c. May 2000 By Guppy, tguppy@l..., - for those " Special "

mom's on

Mother's Day - who like me - will not be receiving little handmade

cards or

gifts from their child - but who see instead, the real gift....

[Guest guest]

Oh thank you so much. Yes, I love this piece. It always makes me cry.

Penny

OT: Happy Mother's Day...

Penny, this one is specially for you!!!!

-----------------------------------------

I am ......for mothers.By Guppy, May 2000

I am the little engine that did. When on my journey in life, my

tracks led me to

a mountain - a diagnosis of Autism - I looked at it with defeat -

thinking there

was no way I could climb over it. I then pondered the obstacle before

me, and I

then said to myself over and over, " I think I can, I think I can..., "

then I

slowly started climbing the mountain saying to myself over and

over, " I know I

can, I know I can,.... " and then I made it over that ominous

diagnosis of Autism

and continued my journey. I am the little engine that did.

I am more devoted than Noah's wife. I am cooped up in

this " houseboat " for 365

days and 365 nights a year, constantly taking care of and cleaning up

after my

" herd of animals. " And when the storms of isolation and monotony

become most

unbearable, I do not jump ship. Instead I wait for the rainbow that

is sure to

come.

I am Xena. Real life warrior goddess of Autism. With my steel plated

armor I can

fight anyone who gets in the way of progress for my child. I can

fight the

stares and ignorance of typpies - those without autism in their

lives - and

educate them as to why my child is the way he is, and why he does the

things he

does. I can fight the schools to have them properly educate my child.

And I can

fight denied insurance claims to get coverage for my child. Yes, I am

Xena - and

I am armed for battle...

I am Betsy Ross. I am part of History by my contribution to the

Autism Awareness

Quilt -- many pieces of fabric representing many states, stitched

together, that

will collectively symbolize Freedom. Freedom from the lack of

information about

Autism, Freedom from not knowing what causes Autism, and Freedom from

the lack

of funding and research to treat, overcome, and live with - Autism.

Like Betsy's

piece of fabric, my piece of fabric will someday sit in a museum, for

others to

see my 12.5 x 12.5 inch memorial of a battle well fought. Whether my

child is

" cured " in my lifetime does not matter, in the end what will matter

to me and to

my child, is that I never surrendered.

I am the Bionic Woman. I have X-Ray vision - I can see through the

mask of

autism on my child's face, and see the beauty in his soul and the

intelligence

in his eyes --- when others can't. I have super-hearing - I can look

at my child

when he smiles at me, and hear his voice say, " I Love You Mommy, " ---

even

though he can't talk. Yes, I am thankful to be Bionic.

I am . A not so well known mother of an Autistic child who was

brought here

to touch the souls of those around him, in a way that will forever

change them.

And it started with me. By teaching me things I would never have

known, by

bringing me friendships I never would have had, and by opening my

eyes as to

what really matters in life. Things like keeping the Faith, never

losing Hope,

and knowing a Love that that words cannot express. Yes, I too am

blessed by a

special child, just like .

I am Superwoman. I am able to leap over tall loads of laundry in a

single bound,

and run faster than a speeding bullet, to chase my child as he dashes

out the

front door and heads for the busy street. Oh yes, without a doubt, I

am

Superwoman.

I am Moses. I am doing my part in leading other parents and society

to more

awareness, knowledge, and resources, and most of all - Faith. Like

Moses did, I

too, will sometimes meet with resistance from those who don't

believe. And like

Moses, God will give me the small Miracles here and there, needed to

accomplish

my mission.

I am Stretch Armstrong - a mom that can be stretched beyond belief -

and still

somehow return to normal. I can stretch limited funds to cover every

treatment

and therapy that insurance won't. I can stretch my patience as I

explain my

child's biomedical issues with yet another uneducated doctor. I can

stretch what

time I have, and share it with my husband, my children, my friends,

and still

have some leftover to help others. Yes, my name is Stretch. And I

have the

stretch-marks to prove it!

I am Parks. I refuse to move or waver in what I believe is right

for my

child --simply because my view is the minority, not the majority. I

refuse to

believe " What can one mother do? " But instead, I will write, call,

and rally to

the government, and do whatever it takes to bring equality for my

child.

I am Hercules. The Greek god known for strength and courage. The

heavy loads I

must carry would make others crumble to the ground. The weight of

Sorrow, Fear

at uncertainty of the future, Injustice at having no answers, and

from Tears of

despair, would alone possibly be too much, --- even for Hercules. But

then the

Joy, Laughter, Smiles, and Tears of pride, - at my child's

accomplishments, -

balance the load to make it easy to bear.

I am touched by an Angel. An Angel who is often described as living

in a world

of his own. And it's true. He lives in a world of innocence and

purity. A world

without hatred or deceit. A world where everyone is beautiful and

where no-one

is ugly. A world where there is always enough time. A world where he

goes to bed

with no worries of tomorrow and wakes up with no regrets of the past.

Yes, I

most certainly am touched by an Angel, and I sometimes think that his

world is

better..

I am a mom of a special needs child, all the above, and so much more.

Some days

I will want to be none of the above - and just be a typical mom with

a typical

child, doing typical things. On those days I will know it's o.k. to

be angry,

and to cry, and to lean on my friends for support. Because after

all, ---the

most important thing I am, ... is human.

********

And on this special day, and every other day I need to, I will read

this as a

reminder, of just who it is, ~ I am..

---------------------------------

c. May 2000 By Guppy, tguppy@l..., - for those " Special "

mom's on

Mother's Day - who like me - will not be receiving little handmade

cards or

gifts from their child - but who see instead, the real gift....

For information on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, please read the book

_Breaking the Vicious Cycle_ by Elaine Gottschall and read the following

websites:

http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info

and

http://www.pecanbread.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Oh thank you so much. Yes, I love this piece. It always makes me cry.

Penny

OT: Happy Mother's Day...

Penny, this one is specially for you!!!!

-----------------------------------------

I am ......for mothers.By Guppy, May 2000

I am the little engine that did. When on my journey in life, my

tracks led me to

a mountain - a diagnosis of Autism - I looked at it with defeat -

thinking there

was no way I could climb over it. I then pondered the obstacle before

me, and I

then said to myself over and over, " I think I can, I think I can..., "

then I

slowly started climbing the mountain saying to myself over and

over, " I know I

can, I know I can,.... " and then I made it over that ominous

diagnosis of Autism

and continued my journey. I am the little engine that did.

I am more devoted than Noah's wife. I am cooped up in

this " houseboat " for 365

days and 365 nights a year, constantly taking care of and cleaning up

after my

" herd of animals. " And when the storms of isolation and monotony

become most

unbearable, I do not jump ship. Instead I wait for the rainbow that

is sure to

come.

I am Xena. Real life warrior goddess of Autism. With my steel plated

armor I can

fight anyone who gets in the way of progress for my child. I can

fight the

stares and ignorance of typpies - those without autism in their

lives - and

educate them as to why my child is the way he is, and why he does the

things he

does. I can fight the schools to have them properly educate my child.

And I can

fight denied insurance claims to get coverage for my child. Yes, I am

Xena - and

I am armed for battle...

I am Betsy Ross. I am part of History by my contribution to the

Autism Awareness

Quilt -- many pieces of fabric representing many states, stitched

together, that

will collectively symbolize Freedom. Freedom from the lack of

information about

Autism, Freedom from not knowing what causes Autism, and Freedom from

the lack

of funding and research to treat, overcome, and live with - Autism.

Like Betsy's

piece of fabric, my piece of fabric will someday sit in a museum, for

others to

see my 12.5 x 12.5 inch memorial of a battle well fought. Whether my

child is

" cured " in my lifetime does not matter, in the end what will matter

to me and to

my child, is that I never surrendered.

I am the Bionic Woman. I have X-Ray vision - I can see through the

mask of

autism on my child's face, and see the beauty in his soul and the

intelligence

in his eyes --- when others can't. I have super-hearing - I can look

at my child

when he smiles at me, and hear his voice say, " I Love You Mommy, " ---

even

though he can't talk. Yes, I am thankful to be Bionic.

I am . A not so well known mother of an Autistic child who was

brought here

to touch the souls of those around him, in a way that will forever

change them.

And it started with me. By teaching me things I would never have

known, by

bringing me friendships I never would have had, and by opening my

eyes as to

what really matters in life. Things like keeping the Faith, never

losing Hope,

and knowing a Love that that words cannot express. Yes, I too am

blessed by a

special child, just like .

I am Superwoman. I am able to leap over tall loads of laundry in a

single bound,

and run faster than a speeding bullet, to chase my child as he dashes

out the

front door and heads for the busy street. Oh yes, without a doubt, I

am

Superwoman.

I am Moses. I am doing my part in leading other parents and society

to more

awareness, knowledge, and resources, and most of all - Faith. Like

Moses did, I

too, will sometimes meet with resistance from those who don't

believe. And like

Moses, God will give me the small Miracles here and there, needed to

accomplish

my mission.

I am Stretch Armstrong - a mom that can be stretched beyond belief -

and still

somehow return to normal. I can stretch limited funds to cover every

treatment

and therapy that insurance won't. I can stretch my patience as I

explain my

child's biomedical issues with yet another uneducated doctor. I can

stretch what

time I have, and share it with my husband, my children, my friends,

and still

have some leftover to help others. Yes, my name is Stretch. And I

have the

stretch-marks to prove it!

I am Parks. I refuse to move or waver in what I believe is right

for my

child --simply because my view is the minority, not the majority. I

refuse to

believe " What can one mother do? " But instead, I will write, call,

and rally to

the government, and do whatever it takes to bring equality for my

child.

I am Hercules. The Greek god known for strength and courage. The

heavy loads I

must carry would make others crumble to the ground. The weight of

Sorrow, Fear

at uncertainty of the future, Injustice at having no answers, and

from Tears of

despair, would alone possibly be too much, --- even for Hercules. But

then the

Joy, Laughter, Smiles, and Tears of pride, - at my child's

accomplishments, -

balance the load to make it easy to bear.

I am touched by an Angel. An Angel who is often described as living

in a world

of his own. And it's true. He lives in a world of innocence and

purity. A world

without hatred or deceit. A world where everyone is beautiful and

where no-one

is ugly. A world where there is always enough time. A world where he

goes to bed

with no worries of tomorrow and wakes up with no regrets of the past.

Yes, I

most certainly am touched by an Angel, and I sometimes think that his

world is

better..

I am a mom of a special needs child, all the above, and so much more.

Some days

I will want to be none of the above - and just be a typical mom with

a typical

child, doing typical things. On those days I will know it's o.k. to

be angry,

and to cry, and to lean on my friends for support. Because after

all, ---the

most important thing I am, ... is human.

********

And on this special day, and every other day I need to, I will read

this as a

reminder, of just who it is, ~ I am..

---------------------------------

c. May 2000 By Guppy, tguppy@l..., - for those " Special "

mom's on

Mother's Day - who like me - will not be receiving little handmade

cards or

gifts from their child - but who see instead, the real gift....

For information on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, please read the book

_Breaking the Vicious Cycle_ by Elaine Gottschall and read the following

websites:

http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info

and

http://www.pecanbread.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------