Life with Michael

We continue to strive for Joyful. Michael has really benefited from his service dog.  He has responsibilities now and takes them seriously.  He has to feed and groom her every day himself.  He does a great job and tells you about it.  Wiley keeps Michael centered.  She walks by his side providing comfort and friendship.  She sleeps on his feet providing touch, deep pressure and reassurance he is not alone.  She covers him in in tantrums, keeping him connected to the outside and not just in.  His tantrums/non compliance are considerably shorter and more easily directed when Wiley involved.  She is his touch point.  There when he is just sitting and thinking.  There when he plays with his toys.  There when he is on his swing.  There when he just wants to cuddle.  The  face he will look directly at and the  name he never forgets. In scoring Michael for his current placement in various categories, what is shown he is a very on target child with a big deficit in ability to communicate. 

  After two weeks of intense Service Dog Handler Training with Michael, he has his service dog. Meet Wiley!  Life changing almost immediately!    She found her spot.  Cover is the Command.  She does deep pressure when he is melting down.  He responds quickly.  Michael leading her on our hike.  The boys being goofy.  The dog is the best behaved.  ;)  At the MD office.  Dog obstacle course  Joy!!!! Our Princess Wiley.  Already taught her to bowl with Michael as well as her other 40+ commands.  She is amazing.  Thank you to Canine Companions for Independence for the life changing gift.  

I am back with the annual Christmas letter.  I have so much to share.  I am awesome.  I am sure everyone knows that. Mom took me on a train trip Candy Cane Express and when the guy with the white beard walked in, I said, "Hello Father Christmas."  Everyone thought that was really cute.   Do not eat cheetos or doritos you find in a pile at my house. They will be wet and soggy from having the powdered stuff sucked off.. just warning you. Mom took me to the farm and we got fresh cider and Apple Cider donuts!  YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My new favorite.  Mom says she glad it is a drive otherwise she would gain her weight back.   At my parent teacher conference my teacher said she adores me.   Her daughter was in my class last year. When she showed her daughter her class list before school started, Emma said, "You have Michael. Oh Mom you are so lucky, you got Michael." She said she thought it was funny for her to say until she met me. She feels so blessed to

Michael completed his first year of school.  Had his recent IEP meeting and he is staying right where he is with all his services and 1:1 aid.  The meeting was fantastic.  His school is very supportive and adore him.  Sometimes traversing the issues that come with a child that has a medical IEP can be very difficult.  It was in Roseburg.  Such a relief that they didn't question any of his needs or supports and agreed.  Michael has discovered girls in a way.  His sister Adrianna is 16.  She has friends over a lot.  One came over named Kimberly and Michael absolutely went head over heels in "I want your attention".  He told her she was cute and beautiful and had to sit right next to her while she was here.  Other people tried to talk to him and he only had eyes for her.  It was quite comical to watch.   Michael at school recently needed a break and went into the Special Ed room to nap.  He was on the floor when another little boy was brought in due to not being able

From Michael: Enjoying my new house with my new BIG yard and play set.  I can go outside all by myself and mom does not need to worry.  She can see me from the kitchen and from her office depending on where she is.  I love to be outside.  My cat Pip is outside with me.  She has decided she only wants to be outside, and mom agrees since Pip has decided to untrain herself from using the litter box.  She is my friend outside and Squeak and Karma are my inside friends.    My mom has applied for a dog through CCI  to help me with picking things up if I am in my wheelchair and to just be besides me to help my balance.  The dog will also help me in the future if no medication is found to help.  Hoping it all works out because I would really love one.  I am very into dogs.    My ABA therapy has been very successful.  I am talking a lot more now.  I ask for things and can usually tell you what I want to do.  I am kind of selective still though with who I will converse with. Recently I told

June brought the end of school.  Michael had a VERY successful year!  While he may not be typical, he did very well with typical children and made friends and socialized wonderfully.  Academically he is beyond what most of the other little kids were but physically and cognitively he is still behind.  We did get some great news though.  There is another drug going into Phase 3 clinical trials for CDM and cognitive issues.  We will be participating in the study!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Michael will be in  Utah, so will end his current study prior to beginning the new study.  Already scheduled.  We again will be meeting Sarah and Josh who are flying in from England and hopefully Deanise and family will join us for the weekend.  We will have the boys together again.   Michael has a visit with his sister and brother prior to having to go get surgery.  One last run around with Ruffle Butt.  Michael  had surgery again on his Achilles.  Is in double casts.   He has to have them on for a mont