Read more about the article There was a massive meltdown in my house last night but it wasn’t my kid with #Autism
Autism Parenting Confessions / Elliott / My thoughts

There was a massive meltdown in my house last night but it wasn’t my kid with #Autism

It was a another horrible night. Elliott was once again unable to sleep and we ended up having a meltdown at 2 AM. I know you're probably assuming Elliott was the one having having the meltdown but you'd be wrong, well sorta anyway. I was tired and Elliott was not in a good place, being uncooperative, disagreeable, unreceptive and I eventually ran out of patience. Elliott ended up melting down and rather than rise above and help him through it, I eventually met his meltdown with one of my own. I said some things I shouldn't have said and behaved in ways that I cannot condone. Lizze and I were trying to help him, while at the same time, prevent him from waking up Emmett or Gavin. I became overwhelmed…

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July 15, 2018
Read more about the article It’s been a really nice afternoon and here’s how we spent it
My thoughts

It’s been a really nice afternoon and here’s how we spent it

The boys came home this afternoon after having a great time with their grandparents. We were on our way out to go walking when we got the call they were on their way home. We circled back around, picked them up and took them with us. Ruby has become a staple on our walks now and the boys love bringing her with us. We ended up at the old cemetery by the McKinley Monument and we walked through it. It's sorta weird walking through a cemetery but there's so much history and we pay our respects to those we who have come before us. Anyway, we walked a bit under two miles but it was really hot and humid. Ruby pooped out about halfway and Gavin was having problems as…

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July 14, 2018
Read more about the article I’ve crushed my first major weight-loss goal today
Fit4Autism / Link / My thoughts / Weight-loss Journey

I’ve crushed my first major weight-loss goal today

I'm super excited to share some amazing news about my personal weight-loss journey. I came into 2018 at 338 lbs. There are many things that contributed to me going from someone weighing 220 lbs and being solid muscle to where I've found myself today. There was a major injury that took me almost 15 years to overcome from and the pain prevented me from being as active as I once was. Antidepressants played a major role in the weigh gain as well, as did the stress of being an Autism parent. All that said, I also have to take ownership of the bad eating habits I'd developed over the years. Food became my way of cooping with my physical and emotional pain. Anyway, I've been working to make changes in…

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July 14, 2018
Read more about the article Here’s the silver lining to an otherwise very challenging day
My thoughts

Here’s the silver lining to an otherwise very challenging day

Today was full of challenging moments. Some of these moments I rose above and was a good leader for my family. Unfortunately, there were moments where I stumbled and fell. I didn't have the level of patience I typically have and my frustration threshold was pretty low. There were definitely moments that I'm not proud of and most of those were in relation to my lack of patience with the boys, especially Gavin. Gavin is such a good person and he tries harder than anyone I know. At the same time, he's really struggling in many areas of his life. We realized today that he can't remember how to write the letters of the alphabet and struggles writing his own name. When we try to help him, it's not uncommon…

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July 14, 2018
Read more about the article Confessions of an overwhelmed and struggling with life, #Autism Dad
Autism Parenting Confessions / My thoughts

Confessions of an overwhelmed and struggling with life, #Autism Dad

One of the things I try very hard to do with this blog, is be as honest and transparent as I can. There are always things that don't get shared and while I understand the desire to know more, we still need some privacy. This is why there are times when something I say or do seems really out of place and that's because you're probably lacking context that would make things easier to understand. Having said that, it's all about balance. I try to always be positive but not at the expense of the truth. The truth is, sometimes there's a silver lining and if you just take a second, you can find it. Other times the truth is that things just suck and there isn't any amount of…

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July 13, 2018
Read more about the article Gavin’s #IVIG infusion was a very frustrating experience today
Common Variable Immunodeficiency / GAMMAGARD / Gavin / Immunology / IVIG Infusion / My thoughts

Gavin’s #IVIG infusion was a very frustrating experience today

So Gavin's medication arrived. We went through the newly received supplies and figured out how to draw up the new solution. Previously, we were using 3, 10cc vials for a total of 30cc's of solution.With the new medication, there are 2 vials total. The first vial contains 10cc's and the second contains 5cc's. That makes for a total of 15cc's and exactly half of the solution he had previously been infusing.The total amount of actual medication remains consist at 3 grams.With that out of the way, the bad news is that Gavin likely won't be able to do these on his own, at least for now.I realize he's a bit out of practice but he made mistakes, the biggest of which wasted about 5cc's of the medication. He wasn't even…

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July 12, 2018
Read more about the article It’s a HUGE day for us and here’s why
Common Variable Immunodeficiency / GAMMAGARD / Gavin / Immunology / IVIG Infusion / My thoughts

It’s a HUGE day for us and here’s why

After weeks of stress, worry, fear, frustration, anger and exhaustion, we should finally see Gavin's IVIG infusion medication arrive today. We don't have a specific time but it's supposed to be before lunch. I can't totally exhale until they actually arrive because this has been a serialistic nightmare this far. There have been a few times along the way that we were supposed to have had these issues resolved and his medications delivered. I'm absolutely hopeful that by this time tomorrow, we will have out this all behind us.

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July 12, 2018
Read more about the article Here’s how we figured out the legal problems after Gavin turned 18
Akron Children's Hospital / Autism Parenting Insight / Gavin / My thoughts

Here’s how we figured out the legal problems after Gavin turned 18

I was finally able to connect with the person in the legal department at Akron Children's Hospital today, that I needed to speak with. We had a somewhat lengthy conversation about Gavin and how we should proceed with the legal quandary of him turning 18 years old, being legally incompetent and us being unable to complete guardianship at the moment. The current plan is to use a medical power of attorney and when it comes to signing any paperwork, Gavin will sign but so will we. I guess that covers our bases. Everyone understands what's going on and shockingly (I say with total sarcasm), it's a first for everyone. We have to get the papers signed and notorized in the morning. I will deliver them, along with a sworn affidavit…

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July 11, 2018