Hello, my name is James and I am 17 years old. I came to live with my parent when I was 3 and they adopted me. Boy they got more than they bargained for! I am diagnosed with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Mental retardation (overall development of a 6-7 yr old), an unknown slow Bowel Disorder, and ADHD. Oh ya and what my parents lovingly call ETH (explosive teenage hormone).
I am involved in several therapy programs and activities at home, through our local hospital and at my school. I am a Boy Scout and reached the Star level of scouting a year ago. Due to my challenges it takes me longer to learn new skills and even longer to master them. But I never give up and look forward to the day that I am an Eagle Scout. Scouting ROCKS!
Due to the Cerebral Palsy I have had several surgeries over the years to help me continue to move & walk with little assistance. After wearing AFO (this is a type of leg braces) for 14 years, my doctors think I am ready to try life without the braces. I am really looking forward this! I do sometimes have to use a wheelchair if I am somewhere that requires a lot of walking or I am having a rough day and am weak. My balance is still not the greatest, but if I take my time I can do this! As with many people with Autism and other developmental delays my motor and language skills are delayed, but I continue to learn different ways to do things that most people do with no thought.
I love to walk and at last years Relay For Life I walked 11.25 miles, I did have to use my wheelchair for balance as I walked and at times I sat in the chair as my parents or fellow scouts pushed me around the track. I am aiming to break this record at this years Relay For Life. My Grandfather has had cancer 4 time, he is 81 years old. Now Mom and Dad tell me that the Lung Cancer is growing in his brain and stomach. I do not really understand this, but if my walking can raise money to help him I will walk.
I have many sensory issues with certain sounds, textures, and I need LOTS of deep pressure sensory input through out the day. If you do not know about sensory issue it is like my brain does not talk to my body. I become nervous and act out when in new places or around new people. I also have a hard time if I am around a large group of people,even if I know them. I can handle being around a hand full of people at one time, but a lot of people throws my sensory system in overdrive and I feel nervous, scared and out of place. Once I feel Okay with the new surroundings & new people, or find a "safe zone" when around a lot of people, I can relax and try to be social. This is part of my Autism.
I have a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) implanted to help with seizure control. Some refer to this as a pacemaker for the brain. I have been seizure free for 6 months!
I take SEVERAL meds throughout the day to help with my seizures, and effects of my Autism and C.P. Medicine, Doctor Appointments, hospitals, test, and therapy have become a way of life for me.
But in spite of how medical involved some people feel I am, I am a happy, carefree, and lovable young man that strives to be as independent as I can. That is way I am posting here today
My medical team has made the recommendation that I receive a multi-purpose service dog, some call them assistance dogs. My neurologist wrote the script for one, my Mom filled out all the paperwork (just like she is helping me write and word this) and I was accepted into the 4 Paws for Ability service dog program. After meeting our fundraising requirement my parents and I were placed in the June 2008 training class. Mom tells me this is a 12 day training programing that teaches us about my service dog and how to read him ( this I reall do not get! I have never seen a dog with pages so how can you read him??)
My dog will be trained in mobility, autism assistance as well as tracking. Oh, I forgot, I have a history of wanting to be so independent that I leave and don’t have anyone with me. This is not safe for me to do BUT I am just trying to be like any other teen. I have really scared my parents in the past doing this and have worked really hard not to take off. But in case I do so in the future my dog is train to assist my parents and law enforcement in locating me.
Autism Assistance: My dog will be trained in behavior disruption. He will have both verbal and hand commands so when I start to become over whelmed my dog will have set tasks to assist me in calming down. He will also have task training to assist me with sensory issues.
Mobility Assistance: I have had many surgeries to help me continue to walk with little assistance. I do use a wheelchair when I am at locations requiring a lot of walking, standing or uneven terrain, as my legs do become weak. However I prefer to walk and my dog will be trained to help him maintain my balance, assist me when I am using my wheelchair as well as help give me physical reminders to slow down if I am trying to walk to fast, this will help me walk farther without becoming to tired .
I am getting my special service dog from 4 Paws for Ability, they are a non profit organization located in Xenia Ohio. 4 Paws For Ability strives to provide service dogs to individuals that struggle with life’s daily challenges and who would otherwise be turned away by many other agencies due to financial limitations, age, being to disabled or placed on long waiting list.
This great dog will provide me increase independence; help me when my Autism is becoming overwhelming, and look for me if I have what Dad calls a “brain fart” LOL ---like any other teenage male I love that word fart! Right now I plan on naming my dog RUNNER. My service dog will be able to go out in public with me, like out to dinner, to the store, or even to the hospital when I have to go. That would be cool so my parents would feel better about leaving the room. I mean come on, every teen wants some alone time!!!
Mom says this is enough for my 1st blog..what a word! Mom will be adding to this blog to. SO watch for her blogging about being Mom. Also check back starting June 17 and follow us we are in our training class. Mom says she will post something daily.
James
I am involved in several therapy programs and activities at home, through our local hospital and at my school. I am a Boy Scout and reached the Star level of scouting a year ago. Due to my challenges it takes me longer to learn new skills and even longer to master them. But I never give up and look forward to the day that I am an Eagle Scout. Scouting ROCKS!
Due to the Cerebral Palsy I have had several surgeries over the years to help me continue to move & walk with little assistance. After wearing AFO (this is a type of leg braces) for 14 years, my doctors think I am ready to try life without the braces. I am really looking forward this! I do sometimes have to use a wheelchair if I am somewhere that requires a lot of walking or I am having a rough day and am weak. My balance is still not the greatest, but if I take my time I can do this! As with many people with Autism and other developmental delays my motor and language skills are delayed, but I continue to learn different ways to do things that most people do with no thought.
I love to walk and at last years Relay For Life I walked 11.25 miles, I did have to use my wheelchair for balance as I walked and at times I sat in the chair as my parents or fellow scouts pushed me around the track. I am aiming to break this record at this years Relay For Life. My Grandfather has had cancer 4 time, he is 81 years old. Now Mom and Dad tell me that the Lung Cancer is growing in his brain and stomach. I do not really understand this, but if my walking can raise money to help him I will walk.
I have many sensory issues with certain sounds, textures, and I need LOTS of deep pressure sensory input through out the day. If you do not know about sensory issue it is like my brain does not talk to my body. I become nervous and act out when in new places or around new people. I also have a hard time if I am around a large group of people,even if I know them. I can handle being around a hand full of people at one time, but a lot of people throws my sensory system in overdrive and I feel nervous, scared and out of place. Once I feel Okay with the new surroundings & new people, or find a "safe zone" when around a lot of people, I can relax and try to be social. This is part of my Autism.
I have a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) implanted to help with seizure control. Some refer to this as a pacemaker for the brain. I have been seizure free for 6 months!
I take SEVERAL meds throughout the day to help with my seizures, and effects of my Autism and C.P. Medicine, Doctor Appointments, hospitals, test, and therapy have become a way of life for me.
But in spite of how medical involved some people feel I am, I am a happy, carefree, and lovable young man that strives to be as independent as I can. That is way I am posting here today
My medical team has made the recommendation that I receive a multi-purpose service dog, some call them assistance dogs. My neurologist wrote the script for one, my Mom filled out all the paperwork (just like she is helping me write and word this) and I was accepted into the 4 Paws for Ability service dog program. After meeting our fundraising requirement my parents and I were placed in the June 2008 training class. Mom tells me this is a 12 day training programing that teaches us about my service dog and how to read him ( this I reall do not get! I have never seen a dog with pages so how can you read him??)
My dog will be trained in mobility, autism assistance as well as tracking. Oh, I forgot, I have a history of wanting to be so independent that I leave and don’t have anyone with me. This is not safe for me to do BUT I am just trying to be like any other teen. I have really scared my parents in the past doing this and have worked really hard not to take off. But in case I do so in the future my dog is train to assist my parents and law enforcement in locating me.
Autism Assistance: My dog will be trained in behavior disruption. He will have both verbal and hand commands so when I start to become over whelmed my dog will have set tasks to assist me in calming down. He will also have task training to assist me with sensory issues.
Mobility Assistance: I have had many surgeries to help me continue to walk with little assistance. I do use a wheelchair when I am at locations requiring a lot of walking, standing or uneven terrain, as my legs do become weak. However I prefer to walk and my dog will be trained to help him maintain my balance, assist me when I am using my wheelchair as well as help give me physical reminders to slow down if I am trying to walk to fast, this will help me walk farther without becoming to tired .
I am getting my special service dog from 4 Paws for Ability, they are a non profit organization located in Xenia Ohio. 4 Paws For Ability strives to provide service dogs to individuals that struggle with life’s daily challenges and who would otherwise be turned away by many other agencies due to financial limitations, age, being to disabled or placed on long waiting list.
This great dog will provide me increase independence; help me when my Autism is becoming overwhelming, and look for me if I have what Dad calls a “brain fart” LOL ---like any other teenage male I love that word fart! Right now I plan on naming my dog RUNNER. My service dog will be able to go out in public with me, like out to dinner, to the store, or even to the hospital when I have to go. That would be cool so my parents would feel better about leaving the room. I mean come on, every teen wants some alone time!!!
Mom says this is enough for my 1st blog..what a word! Mom will be adding to this blog to. SO watch for her blogging about being Mom. Also check back starting June 17 and follow us we are in our training class. Mom says she will post something daily.
James
