I am the second in the birth order of ten and Aimee' is the baby. My youngest sister and my God-child and very special to me. She is married and relocated to the mid west from New England about ten years ago. We are still a close family and when one is in pain or suffering, we all feel it.
Aimee' has two children. Lily is now 12 and Connor is 10. Beautiful children but life has not been easy at home. Connor was diagnosed with autism at a very young age. I don't really know the specifics or much about autism but what I do know is that it can turn a family upside down and inside out in search of hope.
In order to obtain proper treatment and a quality education without discrimination has been a constant battle in and out of the courts. As a matter of fact hearing about some of the events that transpired in the early days of his education forces me to believe the system was quite backward.
And you say...what does this have to do with sea glass? My life long attraction to sea glass is not just about a beautifully frosted shard, the history behind the glass or even the stroll on the beach pondering the mysteries of the universe. It is all this and more. It is understanding the value in adversity. Why? Why do some have greater challenges than others? Why all the suffering, Why are there difficult people? Why does Connor have autism? I don't know! I don't understand but this is what I have come to believe....
Through adversity one changes on the inside. A metamorphosis of the soul so to speak. I believe this change with faith can become a positive and good things can come from it. I think about sea glass and its' tossing and tumbling for all those years. It is broken and tumbled and broken and tossed until it becomes a beautiful gem and stronger than before. Difficult to chip or break. Now I look at my little sister Aimee' who with her husband has taken the bull by the horns and has faced this challenge with their sons autism. Aimee' has tirelessly fought for Connor's rights for a quality public education and is now fighting for medical insurance coverage for his treatment of autism. I am so proud of my sister and want to share with you this email I received from her the other day.
Aimee' writes...
I just wanted to share with you a celebration of a little boy that has touched my life so much that I have to share this with all of you.
As you know Connor is on the Spectrum of Autism and has come a long way from being non verbal to highly verbal and all his challenges in the school system and now successful in his studies at school. This includes being nominated "Student of the Month" with his picture proudly displayed behind the glass in the hallways. But yesterday he just blew me away!
Connor was awarded a scholarship with an agency that works with children with disabilities and sports. He got to ski at a local ski resort (much like Bradford for those of you who know). As I shadowed him with his instructor "Herb", I watched them converse all the while he was watching the instructor intently as to what to do next. Step by step learning how to ski. I was amazed as he grabbed the tow rope and went through all of the obstacles successfully and coming to a stop at the bottom of the hill.
It was such a thrill to see Connor "stand out" in a way that surprised me. He wasn't like the other kids. He was better! I shed tears of joy and not tears of a mom whose heart is sometimes secretly sad about the way he stands out as a child on the spectrum. At the end of the day, Connor put his hands in the air and shouted "this is my best life ever"! What more can a mom ask for?
Aimee'
p.s. a big nod for Lily watching out in the cold and cheering her brother on and telling him how proud she is of him. A very special girl!
I would like to mention my sister Aimee' now spends time speaking to other families, educators and organizations on various issues of children with disabilities while educating, encouraging and empowering other parents. She like the tumbled sea glass has become even more of a beautiful gem and strong in the process.
Here are some links that Aimee' has asked me to share with you:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/
http://www.positivelyautism.com/
http://www.taalliance.org/
http://www.nichcy.org/
http://www.jonathanlaw.org/
http://www.ezinearticles.com/
Aimee' has two children. Lily is now 12 and Connor is 10. Beautiful children but life has not been easy at home. Connor was diagnosed with autism at a very young age. I don't really know the specifics or much about autism but what I do know is that it can turn a family upside down and inside out in search of hope.
In order to obtain proper treatment and a quality education without discrimination has been a constant battle in and out of the courts. As a matter of fact hearing about some of the events that transpired in the early days of his education forces me to believe the system was quite backward.
And you say...what does this have to do with sea glass? My life long attraction to sea glass is not just about a beautifully frosted shard, the history behind the glass or even the stroll on the beach pondering the mysteries of the universe. It is all this and more. It is understanding the value in adversity. Why? Why do some have greater challenges than others? Why all the suffering, Why are there difficult people? Why does Connor have autism? I don't know! I don't understand but this is what I have come to believe....
Through adversity one changes on the inside. A metamorphosis of the soul so to speak. I believe this change with faith can become a positive and good things can come from it. I think about sea glass and its' tossing and tumbling for all those years. It is broken and tumbled and broken and tossed until it becomes a beautiful gem and stronger than before. Difficult to chip or break. Now I look at my little sister Aimee' who with her husband has taken the bull by the horns and has faced this challenge with their sons autism. Aimee' has tirelessly fought for Connor's rights for a quality public education and is now fighting for medical insurance coverage for his treatment of autism. I am so proud of my sister and want to share with you this email I received from her the other day.
Aimee' writes...
I just wanted to share with you a celebration of a little boy that has touched my life so much that I have to share this with all of you.
As you know Connor is on the Spectrum of Autism and has come a long way from being non verbal to highly verbal and all his challenges in the school system and now successful in his studies at school. This includes being nominated "Student of the Month" with his picture proudly displayed behind the glass in the hallways. But yesterday he just blew me away!
Connor was awarded a scholarship with an agency that works with children with disabilities and sports. He got to ski at a local ski resort (much like Bradford for those of you who know). As I shadowed him with his instructor "Herb", I watched them converse all the while he was watching the instructor intently as to what to do next. Step by step learning how to ski. I was amazed as he grabbed the tow rope and went through all of the obstacles successfully and coming to a stop at the bottom of the hill.
It was such a thrill to see Connor "stand out" in a way that surprised me. He wasn't like the other kids. He was better! I shed tears of joy and not tears of a mom whose heart is sometimes secretly sad about the way he stands out as a child on the spectrum. At the end of the day, Connor put his hands in the air and shouted "this is my best life ever"! What more can a mom ask for?
Aimee'
p.s. a big nod for Lily watching out in the cold and cheering her brother on and telling him how proud she is of him. A very special girl!
I would like to mention my sister Aimee' now spends time speaking to other families, educators and organizations on various issues of children with disabilities while educating, encouraging and empowering other parents. She like the tumbled sea glass has become even more of a beautiful gem and strong in the process.
Here are some links that Aimee' has asked me to share with you:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/
http://www.positivelyautism.com/
http://www.taalliance.org/
http://www.nichcy.org/
http://www.jonathanlaw.org/
http://www.ezinearticles.com/
Danielle Renee'
Hi Danielle, this is my first time posting on your blog and I love every post you write. I have also always thought of sea glass as magickal, the mermaids jewelry. Your post about Connor reflects those of us who are connected to the sea and what she puts through the alchemical waters does turn out "stronger" and smoother. We all need to look past the outer shell and peer deep into the mysteries of the human soul esp. with those who most of society bans or looks away from. Thank you for such a lovely story and connection to sea glass once more.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and your family,
Wendy
Danielle, my friend....
ReplyDeleteawoke this morning to check computer stuff and of course I always read anything with your name on it.
To start this morning inspired by Connor and Aimee's quest for the betterment of her son is such a blessing. As much as we would like to be on the mountain tops the truth is "In Deep Valleys Tall Corn Grows" In the midst of your sister's family trials, it has grown them into something bigger than themselves to serve and teach others about, endurance,persevering, trust, faith, pain, victory, compassion, grace and above all LOVE. I can tell your love also is very great!
I didn't know you were 1 in 10 kids..Wow..how did your mom do it! :)
Fair Winds and Calm Seas,
Deborah
Thank you Wendy & Deborah for your posts. I agree Wendy we do need to look a little deeper beyond the shell. There is much beauty that is being missed by our society.
ReplyDeleteAnd Deborah what a way with words you and Wendy both have. I honestly don't know how my mom did it. She just did ;). Thanks for the comments. Just beautiful!
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this, I felt a tug on my heart. I don't know if I ever told you... I'm a Special Education ParaPro. I have worked with many autistic kids, as well as Down Syndrome. I can't even tell you, how much these kids have enriched my life. It's also, amazing to see how the other kids in the school embrace them.
May God bless these little angels and their parents!
Warmest Regards,
Sherry
Thank you for the comment Sherry :). I didn't know you are a Special Ed ParaPro.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for all you do!
Superb site and creations to match.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for your generous comment especially coming from a writer like you. :)
ReplyDelete