See, I kept thinking that it was so easy for Dani to tell me to "just do it," as she is an amazing writer, and she's not only a blogger, but a published writer. She can do things on a computer that would "google" your mind. When I watch her work, I literally see smoke come off her laptop. I miss my friend dearly. She lives a seven hour drive away from me, yet she helped me start Autism Diva Help through that distance. She encouraged me every time I felt like giving up, and kept telling me to just keep going, going, going... She is my Nemo, and I am... what's my name again?
Anyways, without Dani, there would be no Autism Diva Help. I would have quit a long time ago, or never had started it in the first place, so for that, I must thank my good friend Dani, as well as you guys... Autism Diva Help has had over 22, 800 hits in one single year. Holly cow!
As for my goals... I will let you look back at one of my earlier posts and let you score my goal list... Here it is:
http://autismdivahelp.blogspot.com/2011/03/if-you-bungle-raising-your-children-i.html
Goal 1: Finding a better school, one that can handle Dayton's disability... I haven't switched to another school, but the school that Dayton has been attending got a new principal and Dayton has a new teacher and aid... what a difference! We're having a much more successful year thanks to their efforts, without one single suspension!!! I would have to say that I have met this goal, what do you say?
Goal 2: Finding daycare... Yeah, that's a literal impossibility in this area of Winnipeg. Instead of finding a daycare, I'm using my respite hours to work... Now the challenge is finding a good respite worker that is available for me to be able to work like regular people out there instead of the split shifts that I have been working... I would say I've met this goal 50% - at least I'm using my respite, something I haven't really used before. Will I find a daycare for Dayton before he turns 12? Hmmmm, probably not likely. I'm going to have to re-evaluate this goal and fine tune it to finding a respite worker who is able to watch Dayton after school. Sounds good to me, what do you think?
Goal 3: Finding a play group for Dayton... I've created PACE with the help of SuperDad, and we've had two successful play dates so far: one at a McDonald's and the second one at our new home that we got a week and a half ago. We're doing our third gymboree tomorrow night! I say mission accomplished with this goal!
Goal 4: Checking out the YMCA for programs for the two of us. A family membership is $75.00 a month... Ouch. Met the goal as I DID check it out, but not joined as it's too expensive. Goal met.
Goal 5: Not bringing work home to take time away from Dayton. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! I've found a better job, one that requires me to leave home, but once I do get home, I don't bring work with me. I'm all Dayton's!!! And the best part, I LOVE MY NEW JOB. I actually get to interact with my colleagues, my employer is fantastic, and I get to do what I've been teaching for the last three years. I'M NEVER LEAVING PHARMACY AGAIN!!!
The road has been bumpy, with lots of twists and turns. Thank goodness I wore my seat belt for this drive, as it's been full of missions!
I just have to remember the pictures of success:
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
