Happy Anniversary Autism Diva Help

It's been a year now since I started Autism Diva Help.  Looking back, I remember a scared mom, wondering if she can make a difference of any kind in this corner of the world.  I honestly didn't think I could do this.  My friend Dani on the other hand, never doubted me.  She kept telling me to do this, and I tried (well, kind of) and just kept giving up.

See, I kept thinking that it was so easy for Dani to tell me to "just do it," as she is an amazing writer, and she's not only a blogger, but a published writer.  She can do things on a computer that would "google" your mind.  When I watch her work, I literally see smoke come off her laptop.  I miss my friend dearly.  She lives a seven hour drive away from me, yet she helped me start Autism Diva Help through that distance.  She encouraged me every time I felt like giving up, and kept telling me to just keep going, going, going...  She is my Nemo, and I am...  what's my name again?

Anyways, without Dani, there would be no Autism Diva Help.  I would have quit a long time ago, or never had started it in the first place, so for that, I must thank my good friend Dani, as well as you guys...  Autism Diva Help has had over 22, 800 hits in one single year. Holly cow!

As for my goals...  I will let you look back at one of my earlier posts and let you score my goal list...  Here it is:

http://autismdivahelp.blogspot.com/2011/03/if-you-bungle-raising-your-children-i.html

Goal 1:  Finding a better school, one that can handle Dayton's disability...  I haven't switched to another school, but the school that Dayton has been attending got a new principal and Dayton has a new teacher and aid...  what a difference!  We're having a much more successful year thanks to their efforts, without one single suspension!!!  I would have to say that I have met this goal, what do you say?

Goal 2:  Finding daycare...  Yeah, that's a literal impossibility in this area of Winnipeg.  Instead of finding a daycare, I'm using my respite hours to work...  Now the challenge is finding a good respite worker that is available for me to be able to work like regular people out there instead of the split shifts that I have been working...  I would say I've met this goal 50% - at least I'm using my respite, something I haven't really used  before.  Will I find a daycare for Dayton before he turns 12?  Hmmmm, probably not likely.  I'm going to have to re-evaluate this goal and fine tune it to finding a respite worker who is able to watch Dayton after school.  Sounds good to me, what do you think?

Goal 3:  Finding a play group for Dayton...  I've created PACE with the help of SuperDad, and we've had two successful play dates so far:  one at a McDonald's and the second one at our new home that we got a week and a half ago.  We're doing our third gymboree tomorrow night!  I say mission accomplished with this goal!

Goal 4:  Checking out the YMCA for programs for the two of us.  A family membership is $75.00 a month...  Ouch.  Met the goal as I DID check it out, but not joined as it's too expensive.  Goal met.

Goal 5:  Not bringing work home to take time away from Dayton.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!  I've found a better job, one that requires me to leave home, but once I do get home, I don't bring work with me.  I'm all Dayton's!!!  And the best part, I LOVE MY NEW JOB.  I actually get to interact with my colleagues, my employer is fantastic, and I get to do what I've been teaching for the last three years.  I'M NEVER LEAVING PHARMACY AGAIN!!!

The road has been bumpy, with lots of twists and turns.  Thank goodness I wore my seat belt for this drive, as it's been full of missions!

I just have to remember the pictures of success:

Consider yourselves hugged,

Lou