Regression

Hello,
I am sorry it has taken so long to write to you wonderful readers. Things with Sarah have been very difficult since she came back from her vacation to Arizona.
She is starting to get back on track, but the progress has been somewhat slow. It is so discouraging to see her regress after she has made so many gains.
It seems through out Sarah's life she has always taken 2 steps forward and 5 steps back. I always try to encourage myself in the fact that at least she has taken the 2 steps forward.
Holidays and weather play a huge role in how Sarah does. She has a hard time with both, even her birthday. We and her staff try to help her as much as we can.
She is also having to deal with the fact that her sister Anna and nephews Conner and Kyle are staying with us. Although Sarah is not living with us, when she comes to visit it is a little rough for her. Change and little children are hard for her. I will write more when I can.

Vacation Time!!!

I just wanted to let all of my wonderful readers know that I will not be blogging for quiet a while.
We are taking a vacation to see our other children (who I have been informed that need us as well as Sarah does) and grandchildren.
I wanted to show you the last precious picture I found of Sarah, when she was 4 years old, that I consider one of my Happy Moments pictures.

I realize that I post mostly happy pictures of Sarah. That is because we had so many stressful times and the negative seemed (at the time) to override any positive.
I look at these pictures now and remind myself of the positive moments (captured in photos) in Sarah's life.

Happy Moments

Yesterday when I was cleaning and organizing I found some very Happy Moment pictures I would like to share.

 
Sometimes a mist all of the uncertainties and stress we all had while Sarah was growing up, I had forgotten some of the good times.

 
These pictures helped me to remember the good times. 

You rock Sarah :) God is doing a great and mighty work in you. We love you!

Marjoram Essential Oil and Autism

Spark Naturals has an oil of the month club. February's essential oil is Marjoram.

It is just my opinion but I believe Marjoram Essential Oil could be helpful for Sarah or others diagnosed with Autism and or other challenges.

Spark Naturals description of Marjoram is as follows; Marjoram is a plant that is native to the Mediterranean region; it is amber colored liquid with a woody spicy and camphorus aroma. It has been used extensively in culinary applications (I personally do not promote ingesting essential oils) and works great for muscular and rheumatic pains such as sprains, bruises or stiff joints.

Historical Uses: Marjoram has been used to help relax muscles and balance the mind; it has a warming action and pain killing properties that calm emotions.

Make sure that you do your own research before trying any essential oil and make sure you use essential oils responsibly.

If you would like to read more about Marjoram, you can click on the Spark Naturals button I have on my Sarah's Voice blog and be sure and use your discount code sarahsvoice for 10% off of your order.

 

Free shipping on all orders Feb. 4 - Feb. 7!!!!!

 

Flowers From Sarah

This past weekend Sarah came to our place and she gave me a surprise gift.

It was a variety of colors of flowers.

We had such a great time. She brought with her a picnic basket full of good things to eat.

 

She talked over the computer with her sisters. Her staff came with her to make sure she kept safe and secure.

It was awesome. A great day with a wonderful girl.

 

We love you so much Sarah and thank you again for the beautiful flowers and homemade cookies:)

GPS Trackers for Children With Autism??? Feed Back Please!

It seems their is a new law that is called 'Avonte's Law' that New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer is proposing. This is a proposed Bill that would provide tracking devises for children with autism.

It is being named for Avonte Oquendo, the New York teen who went missing in Oct. and was sadly confirmed dead last week.

Schumer held a press conference Sunday to introduce "Avonte's Law" ahead of the bill's formal introduction on Monday. The legislation would designate $10 million in federal funding for the voluntary program, aimed at locating missing children with autism more quickly.
The GPS is modeled after an existing tracker program for people with Alzheimer's disease, the system Schumer proposed would provide devices that can be worn anywhere: belts, wristwatches, shoelaces.
Schumer say's "Making voluntary tracking devices available will help put parents at ease, and most importantly, help prevent future tragedies like Avonte's," 
Schumer's fix would give the Department of Justice the power to oversee the program, granting money to local police departments and other organizations for both the devices as well as education. The trackers themselves could vary - some may be activated only after the police are contacted and would cost about $80 - $90, plus a few dollars per month for the tracking service.
It seems the advocacy group Autism Speaks is all for this new bill becoming law.
Lisa Goring, an executive at the advocacy group Autism Speaks is saying that "This is a step in the right direction. She does warn that their is no single solution that will fit every child with autism."
Goring went on to say that "The community involvement is an essential piece to all of this - it can't be just a tracker." "First and foremost, families need to be aware of big issues before they become a big issue."

Personally, I do not know what to think of this. Sarah took off a lot when she was younger and yes like any concerned parents we went frantic looking for her. Parents raising children with the diagnosis of autism go through a lot to try and keep their child safe.

GPS devises are better than michrochipping them for sure.
My question is - Why does the government always have to get involved? Schumer proposed this one day after Avonte's funeral with Avonte's mother in the background. Come on people, have some respect!
The line between keeping autistic children safe and not taking away their rights, seem to be getting thinner and thinner.
What do you think about this? I would love some feed back.

Autism - Go Away - Let Me explain

I know that my title Autism - Go Away is probably not going to sit well with some people, but please let me explain.
I know that some individuals that are diagnosed with Autism are very comfortable with the diagnosis, and they think Autism is a benefit in there lives.
In our case I have always wished the Autism would go away for Sarah because, she never seems comfortable in her own skin because of it. She was diagnosed as High Functioning with slightly low IQ. Her behaviors growing up for the most part were not good.

Sarah is an adult now and she is having more success controlling herself with the help of God, her family, staff and dr.'s. 
With that being said, these past two weeks have been very hard for her. The aggressive behavior is rearing it's ugly head again and her staff is trying to find out what is going on to trigger these behaviors. They think it might be the changes in medicines or that perhaps her body is becoming acclimated to her medicines.
Sarah has a very high tolerance and because of this she has had to be on some pretty serious medicines. Her body does become acclimated to medicines pretty quickly. This is another reason I would like her to be on natural medicines.
As a parent I get very concerned about what such strong drugs are doing to her organs. 
Today, Sarah was suppose to come to our place for a picnic visit. Do to her having such a hard time with behaviors she is unable to do so. Maybe next weekend she can come here. I love her and miss her so much when I cannot see her.
This is why I just wish Autism and all of the things that come with it would just go away.