Living with Autism

Got news yesterday that funding for Slade's EAP therapy is about to run out. I will have to look my handsome little cowboy in the eyes & tell him he can no longer see his new best friend "Pumpkin",,, unless somehow we find some funding. I don't know if it's the City of Beaumont, or who it is so i'm trying not to point fingers.. But I'm angry about why we need to build big athletic complexes & name them after some Superintendent that already makes way too much money, when instead that money can go towards helping these special kids! I am sad & angry, and should probably leave it at that for now..

Need to hug on my baby boy for a bit & hope this all works out..

Praying for God's mercy on my little man,

Angela

Today didn't start out that great, but by God's grace it got better. We had Slade's first Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) Session today. Sporting his new Cowboy hat, he looked cute as can be! Last night when he was trying to go to bed I noticed some new regressions.. He was sucking on his covers & stuffed animals again, like he did a few years back. It just made me so sad. So I was really worried about how he was going to do today aroung all those BIG horses. To my amazement he walked right into the arena with his therapy team. There were 4 horses in there & he got to choose which one he wanted to bridle up & walk around. He looked at all of them, up and down.. He was very choosy, but never scared! Finally he decided on Pumpkin. He seemed like a pro getting her ready for her walk around the arena. And she was so good with him. She was never spooked by him. It brought tears to my eyes to see him look at me with the biggest smile while working with the horse. Pumpkin was abused when she was young, & was recently rescued. She was beaten with white pipe regularly. The stable team was amazed when Slade walked up to her with a white pipe, crawled under her with it, and banged it in the dirt twice, and all she did was look under at him then look back up!! She NEVER moved or seemed upset. They could not believe the amount of trust that the horses had for Slade, and that Slade had for the horses. I was in disbelief. All 4 horses followed him around the entire arena, everywhere he went. He stopped for a while, zoned out into playing in the sand. I was concerned, but was told that even Sand Therapy is good for kids! The horses never left his side even while playing in the sand. It was awesome. He was the happiest I have ever seen him.

He did so well that they asked him to be in the Equine Special Olympics that are coming up this summer. It will be for 3 days in Houston. Everyone wins, it's just a chance for them to get to show off. He will be so proud if everyone can come watch him! They will start teaching him to ride soon!! He is so excited. He said, "Mom I get to do the Special Olllyymmpiccs (lol) cuz i'm the most Specialist horse walker in real life"! I saw his self esteem just soar today. I was so amazed & speechless. He was so proud of how he brushed the horses & brought them for a drink of water. This will become a weekly thing for a while, and on top of that he will start training for the Special Olympics soon. We will be having fundraisers that will help pay the way for these "special" angels, because as I know personally, most of these families already are struggling financially since insurance coverage is so limited. I will keep everyone up tp date, and hopefully you can help spread the word about the fundraisers.. 

Long but wonderful day. I am thanking Christ for this wonderful opportunity he sent to my Slade... God is so good  :-)

Will write more soon. Right now time for bed..
Love & Prayers,
Angela