physical therapy – sherylscript

In the Spirit of the Second Amendment: Learning to Shoot

Guns. Controversial to say the least. A person either loves them or hates them. In our house, we chose to educate our kids about them. With autism or not, my boys are typical, and they like to shoot guns.

I grew up around guns, and I learned at an early age to respect them. My dad taught me what damage can be done. Empty soda cans were my usual target. Different bullets left different holes.

I was about ten when I shoot my first live target. After it fell from the sky, my dad and I searched the grounds until we found it. “It” was a beautiful bird, with deep blue and green feathers. It’s head was barely intact. Talk about my euphoria quickly dampened by reality. We took home what we shot. Dinner.

Nowadays, too many times, an accident is reported on the news about a kid shooting a sibling or a friend out of curiosity or play. I don’t want my kids to be one of those statistics. I don’t want my kids to fear guns either. The only solution is to teach them.

With proper gear and training, my boys shoot. Grandpa takes them to the local shooting range. Their accuracy improves with each visit. Onlookers are usually surprised when they find out that the boys have autism. Some are even quite impressed when looking at the paper targets.

Yes, my boys had to overcome sensory issues and master fine/gross motor skills in order to be able to shoot. Years of occupational and physical therapy. We take nothing for granted. Of course, our boys’ safety comes first.

Joining The Workforce–Again

Yep. I am working full time again. Life with autism isn’t cheap. Therapies, foods, doctors, supplements, etc. are expensive. Insurance doesn’t cover a lot of what we do. However, the boys have thrived best with what insurance doesn’t pay. Figure that one!

SO the saving account is depleted. The credit card balances are climbing. A financial adviser would think that we are insane. Nonetheless, Mike and I agreed long ago that we’d do whatever we could for our boys–to help them learn to be independent. Money would not be an object. Our boys are priceless!

The most expensive item we ever purchased for the boys was the pool. The doctors and therapists all agreed that a pool would be the best therapy for the boys. We were not disappointed. The boys learned to swim. They played and socialized. They received their physical therapy in the pool for a few years. Now they hang out in the pool.

Getting back to work–I’ve been working at the same place for about six years. It is seasonal, temporary, full time work. It’s good to exercise my brain. I work on projects. This current project is scheduled for five weeks. I have worked here long enough to make friends. The “regulars” are like a family. Of course, as in all work places, some people are more important than others. It is good to connect with these people.

Last year I had the opportunity to work from home. It was great. It was bad. I loved being able to work at my leisure. I actually took off to the beach last year, and I was able to work at coffee house, at the beach, or at any quiet place I chose. The bad part was having to discipline myself to follow a work schedule–even if it was the schedule that I set.

After this project, I’ll be able to pay off a credit card. That is the upside. The downside is life is more chaotic, but that is good for the boys. They are learning to do things on their own. I am always surprised as to what they have done. Or not done. I am not saying the surprise is always good, but yes, I am always “surprised”. HAHAHA A good, no– a great sense of humor helps in this realm.

Yes, I do look forward to payday!

O Happy Day!

Ryan about to serve

In the midst of trying to resolve issues, there is a bright light. AND did we celebrate.

Ryan and Nick played in their first tennis match on their high school tennis team. Ryan tried cross country, but the endurance was too much. I bet the desert heat didn’t help during the summer either. Nick did track and field in junior high, but his heart belonged to an event that he didn’t get to do.

Mike and I have introduced various sports in the past. Some were too expensive to continue. Others just didn’t capture the boys’ interest. So why tennis?

Nick returning a serve

My parents have played tennis for as long as I can remember. I tried playing, but I spent more time running after the balls that went over the fence than playing on any court. The boys had a few lessons from their grandparents when the boys were very little. What made it stick this time? I don’t know. I don’t underestimate that the girls’ team might have some influence. The girls and boys’ tennis teams practice at the same time. Hmmm.

What I do know is this is a HUGE milestone for the boys. Many years ago, the boys had several issues to overcome. Nick couldn’t stand to wear socks, let alone shoes. As they developed autism, their gait became abnormal. Walking and running were dangerous. They lost their balance easily. Ryan ran with his eyes closed. I was told this was a sensory issue.

Ryan serving, Nick at the net

I became a soccer mom of therapy. Days on end of traveling from school to therapies–physical and occupational therapies (among other therapies). I made sure they had adaptive PE in school. Years of therapy. Miles of driving. With no guarantee of improvement. Just hope.

Today is hope fulfilled.

Coach W with Nick

Ryan and Nick played in a real sport at school. Their matches were even next to each other on the court. They played in the singles and doubles. They were actually the doubles team. The coach guided them at times. Otherwise, they played. On their own.

Those years of therapies have paid off. My boys may have a hobby for life! Priceless.