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Post by laurasnowbird on Oct 14, 2013 8:11:24 GMT -5
Hey everybody,
Long time, no see. Shame on me! Uno was such a great resource for me when Ethan was newly diagnosed, and I feel bad that I've been lured away by FB, leaving other new moms to fend for themselves. I'll be checking in regularly now.
For those who are new, there are a lot of moms here with a ton of experience, and I first "met" them through Uno, but have met many of them in the years since I first joined, at UnoMas get togethers, or Down Syndrome conferences, etc.
Ethan is 11 now, going to be 12 in late December. He is fully included in his regular 5th grade. He is older than most 5th graders, we took advantage of Young 5's, and in Michigan, if your birthdate is after December 1, you don't start until the next year. No regrets about that, he is smaller than his typically developing peers, and of course learning at a slower pace. It has it's challenges, and at least a few times a year I ask myself it is worth it. But then I look at his level of functioning in every day life, and it is worth every moment figuring it out.
He is a pretty typical 11 year old, loves video games, swimming, his dogs, and computers! He has "chores" around the house, mostly related to self-care, like making his bed and taking care of his own laundry, but is also responsible for feeding the pets (4 dogs and 2 cats!) and does a great job of it. He rides the regular school bus, chooses his own seat, and behaves well on the bus. There is so much more I could share, but I'm looking forward to learning more about YOU guys!!!!
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Post by chasesmom on Oct 14, 2013 20:40:56 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I feel as if I've been gone forever and ever but it feels so good to be home <3 To all th new Moms and Dads I haven't met, HELLO!! To my old friends, I have missed you and you have all been never too far from my heart and thoughts. ( Chase sees to that with all the old pictures he hauls out of the trips we've taken with you, lol) Chase is (gulp) 21 now and I just don't know how that can be. Just yesterday we were posting on here as young Moms with our kids being the little ones and today they are the grown kids. I don't feel any different until I look at Chase and he's not that little 40 pound boy I thought would never grow that wore the same size clothes forever I remember how everone told me I should write a book about his stories and I always thought...some day. I wish I would have! I have forgotten so much of that bad bad behavior, lol!!! Not that he's turned into an angel mind you, he's still got a streak of trouble in him but he has become a sweetheart for the most part. He still loves to read, he lives for anything to do with sports, he loves his 2 cats and his new puppy. He loves wrestling ( ugh) and he LOVES music! I think it's on the 21st chromosome that you must love music He still goes to school because here in Michigan you can go to school until age 26. ( THANK GOD) He has a almost 15 year old brother he adores and is amazing with him, his name is Zach. These two boys are my life, simple as that. Some of the friends I have met on here I remain very very close to in my every day life and for that I thank UNOMAS daily. This site brought me everything I needed when I needed it the most as Chase was growing up. I'm back because...well because, I miss unomas!
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Post by andrewsmom on Oct 15, 2013 18:29:38 GMT -5
Hi Everyone!! I joined Uno when Andrew was less than a year old....although I lurked here before that. I joined this group after reading all of your great stories about your kids. I just had to be a part of this group. I can't believe how old they all are now!!! Andrew is 9 and in the 4th grade now. I just went back through some old posts and saw a post I wrote about Andrew taking his first steps and when he was in the hospital. Flashbacks....brought a smile to my face. It was so amazing to have a place to go and know there were people who were not going to judge but rather cry with me, laugh with me and celebrate every accomplishment right along with me. I hope to be checking in more often.....I miss you all!!!
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Post by ALLISA on Oct 19, 2013 7:47:37 GMT -5
Hi to new Uno Moms (rookies) and some of the originals ! ( notice I didn't say old !) because when I realize how old all our kids have gotten it reminds me that if they are getting older then we must be as well ...sighhh......yes....I was just 30 when I came here for the first time full of questions about this teeny tiny 4 pound baby I had that refused to gain weight and needed to because she was due for open heart surgery once she hit 10 pounds ...I was terrified about the prospect of that and got so much support, ideas, and love here ! She made it through surgery with flying colors and home in less than a week.....she couldn't make her 10 pound mark, but did it when she was 4 months old and 7 pounds ! She FINALLY hit 10 pounds at the age of 1 !! Walked at the age of 2, and was so stinking cute it was ridiculous !! Around the age of 5 Thanks to THIS forum and one mom in particular (A!) I realized that Erin had a dual dx of DS and Autism......took her for eval.....and yup..... Erin is now 13...will be 14 in February & now goes out of district to a wonderful collaberitave school.....its perfect for her ! about 70 kids in the whole school.....preschool-grade 8....there are 4 kids in her classroom now & she has 1 to1 ratio. She also receives aba at our house 3 afternoons a week. She is technically nonverbal, but I understand most of what she says and signs. I would however LOVE LOVE LOVE to have an actual conversation with her one day ! For us, the autism is much more prevelant than the DS.....she does take Risperdal/Risperidone to help with her behaviors (mostly self injurious) When Erin was almost 3 my husband decided this whole deal ( not just Erin, but responisibility in general) was too much for him and we divorced. He does contribute financially to the kids, but has almost no relationship with them. Erin has 2 brothers as well....the oldest is now a sophmnore at Michigan State ( and we live in Massachusetts:( too far for me !!) and my middle is a sophomore in high school. He also has Type 1 Diabetes and a heart condition due to Rheumatic Fever in 2009. I work full time for an artist (running his office and managing all that entails) and part time as a bookkeeper at night, so busy and exhausted are both pretty accurate ways to describe my days ! Uno got me through a lot of nights chatting late and sharing fears, hopes, and resources. Thanks to all that I have met !! and looking forward to meeting new !! on a side note.....Uno needs a LIKE button ... heehee
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Post by Emilysmom on Oct 21, 2013 19:10:07 GMT -5
It sure does my heart good to see all the posts here, and to read the updates!!
I SO agree about the "like button". Let's get one of those!!
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