I would love to know who wrote this.  (Update: Thanks to Tahni and Karen, found out that Cindy Waeltermann of Pittsburgh, PA wrote the poem).  A fellow ASD Mom that I’m friends with on Facebook, sent this to me today via direct message.  It really hit home, and I’m sure will do the same for some of you that are living with Autism.

Autism The Night Before Christmas by Cindy Waeltermann (Pittsburgh, PA)

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent..”
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions. .

But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,

But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure you.

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you
That you won’t say a thing
You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned.

Thanks for stopping by My Mama Drama!

Technorati Tags: Autism, Autism Twas the Night Before Christmas, Living with Autism

I have definitely thought about finishing my bachelors degree recently.  I was a Sociology major in college, and have only about 48 hours left to finish, but one of the reasons I didn’t continue was because I became unsure of the field I was in.  I lost interest.  But something I have always been interested in is Information Technology.  I have always been advanced in computers, teaching myself and learning everything I can about computers. I came across Western Governors University.  They are an online university, and provide degrees in various fields.  Anything from a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies to an online nursing degree.  Definitely something to think about!

Something that is very important is feeling safe and secure in your home.  I’ve had a personal experience with my home being burglarized, and it was one of the most horrible things I’ve ever gone through in my entire life.  I felt so violated and the thought of someone being in my home going through my things just made me cringe.  Fortunately, they were gone when we got home and found our apartment ransacked.  Who know what would have happened if we had stumbled upon them in the process!  Right now we live in an apartment with a security system and we feel so much safer.  ADT offers great security systems for the homes.  They also offer security systems for business as well. Here’s some info from their site:

ADT offers medium & large business customers a complete range of commercial security systems, business security solutions, business alarm systems, and services, such as CCTV & RFIDs that are designed for your custom safety needs. What’s more, our commitment to you extends far beyond our unmatched security protections and into a trustworthy long-term customer relationship.

Looking to get your Master’s Degree? Gonzaga University is an accredited, non-profit university that offers respected masters degrees online that align with your future aspirations. If you are looking for an education that combines professional outcomes with convenience, a Masters degree online is a perfect fit. Gonzaga University is ranked number 3 in the West by US News and World Report. Gonzaga University is ranked one of the nations best universities by The Princeton Review and Forbes Magazine. Many of the top ranked programs are reluctant to go online because they feel that this diminishes the quality of the education. Gonzaga finds the exact opposite, because it allows experienced professionals the opportunity for an advanced educations, who may otherwise not be able to because of professional or personal commitments.

I came across these “All-In-One” weight loss pills, searching for something to help me with weight loss.  They claim to aid in fighting not only fat, but also wrinkles and acne. It contains extracts of 10 doctor recommended superfoods plus antioxidants.  These include: Brazilian Acai, Cayenne Pepper Fruit, Garlic, Soybeans Isoflavones, Barley, Wheatgrass, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Alfalfa Sprouts, Flaxseed and Buckwheat. It also includes Green Tea Extract, Salmon Oil Powder, Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE – Dimethylaminoethanol, two additional superfoods and antioxidants. Definitely thinking of trying this, because after doing a little research, it has received pretty decent reviews.

Well…we are getting close to the end of our lease of our apartment.  It will be up at the end of November, so we need to give notice by November 1st.  So I’ve started looking for rentals in our area.  I found one yesterday, and went to take a look at it.  It wasn’t too bad.  It was clean and spacious, but it just needed updating.  The floor tiles in the kitchen need to be replaced.  I wasn’t too impressed with it.  That was the only one I looked at though.  I may just put it off for a couple more weeks, because this one was available now, and we couldn’t possibly move in that soon.

Do you have a need for a walk in bath?? Then you should definitely check out Superior Walk-In Tubs. They provide Walk-in tubs to maintain your independence and secure your safety in your home. And having a walk-in tub will restore your confidence and prolong your independence. The goal of Superior Walk-in Tubs is to keep you functioning in the comfort of your own home. They will make your house accessible one obstacle at a time. And the team at Superior Walk-in Tubs will help to provide the products and services to enhance and improve your quality of life based on your needs.