SonRise and Biomed - November's Update

With two deaths in our family, the trip to SonRise, then a house of sick people, one right after the other, we were a bit delayed beginning Andrew's SonRise program.  

Now that we are in the swing of things, it's looking different than I had anticipated, but it's more beautiful than I could have hoped for.  The friends of ours who have graciously given of their time each week to make this commitment to our sweet boy? Amazing.  For all the BAD in the world I have learned about this year, I swear there's ten times as much GOOD surrounding my family.  

Andrew has had many miracle moments in these last weeks.  He's gravitating away from his stop signs (!!!!!!) and toward blocks, puzzles, and shapes. He is interested in exploring all different toys and objects, independently or when presented with the item.   He vocalizes constantly.   He is sleeping better.  He shared a toy with one of his volunteers.  He climbed on his sister's lap. He reached up to me to be lifted from his crib. Major, mini miracle moments.  Those are what we live for in this house.  

We saw a new DAN doc who does homeopathy.  We are attributing many of these gains to these interventions. Vaccine clears.  High folate.  Very exciting stuff. 

It's so interesting, when you go see a mainstream doctor, all allopathoc medicines and interventions are tauted.  Declining vaccines or other interventions is strongly frowned upon.   And then you go see a DAN or naturopath, and it's common knowledge that vaccines are damaging and antibiotics too.  So you worry about being judged for DOING these things.     But this doctor was totally accepting and zen and I was very comfortable with her. 

So life keeps moving forward here, day by day, exploring SonRise therapy, administering supplements, loving our special moments with our sweet boy, and holding faith for his future. 

We have a PPT with the school coming up right after the holidays.  With my awesome therapists in my court and a wonderful SonRise program at home, I am not the least bit concerned or worried about this.  Anyone who knows me personally is going "wow" right now, because worry was my favorite hobby. THANK YOU OPTION INSTITUTE!  I can actually mentally choose to not physically worry.   Wow!  Is there a greater gift an autism mom could have???

I can get in discussions about autism with people from all walks and thoughts, and my blood pressure remains stable.  Lol!  I can walk away from debate, inform without fear, or converse with ease on the topic of vaccines.   My whole life has changed.  

So in a nutshell, our update is this: thank you for helping me get to SonRise, because even though Andrew is still recovering from his vaccine injury, I have recovered from mine.  

Sunshine, rainbows, happiness, and SonRise, the experience.

I am not in any way trying to minimize this really amazing experience by joking about rainbows and sunshine.

This isn't about fake.  This isn't about fluff.

I am being armed with real, powerful tools to go home and create an effective, loving program, personalized for my sweet son.  This program has recovered hundreds, thousands of autistic children, yes.  Because our brains are moldable.  Our cells are constantly moving.   The body tends toward healing.   And then there is the miracle of the "will to live" that  is a powerful force indeed. 

And at the same time, I am being taught that if I do not fear a life with autism, I have nothing to lose.  If I let go of disappointment, I have nothing to lose by dreaming big. 

For example:  last Halloween, we went trick or treating.  Ava and Ben happily ran from door to door with their friends.   Andrew found a stop sign, made a beeline for it, and hung out there gazing at it for the remainder of the evening.

On that night, while I wasn't embarrassed as perhaps some might be, I was sure disappointed. What was wrong with Andrew that he couldn't "get it"?  I didn't know it was autism yet, but I thought, will he never have this experience?    And this whole last year I have looked back on that night with sadness and anger.  

Now, I can look back at that night knowing that stop signs, street signs, are Andrews way to deal with this crazy world he has to navigate.  The lines are always straight, the colors bold, the shapes familiar and always, always the same.    Seeing a sign in the confusing darkness of that night, he found a way to be happy. 

And now, I dont have to dread Halloween anymore.  If one of us can be happy with our trick or treaters, and one can be happy watching our little street sign lover, we have no problem.  Everyone wins. Everyone has a great night. 

I now I have the tools to live my life as a mother of a special child. I did not come into the world equipped for this. He didn't come with an owners manual, none of our kids do.     I am so thankful to those who have blazed this trail of autism before me. 

And then I am being armed with tools to connect with my son.  So even if, there is no recovery at the end, it's a hell of a journey anyway, and we will all be better for it.  

Thank you for getting me here. 

You may be asking, what about your rage against the vaccines?!  You are angry! You are mad! 

I don't know how I feel about this topic right now.   What I do know is I have spent a large quantity of time and energy on it that is better spent elsewhere. We as parents have a duty to educate ourselves.   But I cannot live with the anger I carried anymore. Not if I want to work from a platform of peace and happiness so Andrew is more attracted to my face, more able to notice my presence, and not feel negative energy emanating from my every pore. 

It's time to move forward. 

My Gram: Arlene and Autism

We buried my grandmother today.   My grandmother had Alzheimer's, had been in a nursing home for a year, and before that had full time care in her home for several months.  

My Gram, as far as I know, didn't know much about autism.  It wasn't something that plagued her, her children, or her grand children's generations. It was not even on my family's radar. 

The only connection between my grandmother and autism is this: My gram came with me to each of the twins well baby appointments their first year.  I needed her to hold the first baby after his shots so I could hold the second baby for his.  She was happy to come for the outing and to help out. 

She'd say "Horrors!  Why do they have to have so many shots?!"    I would roll my eyes privately.  

I don't remember if she came to the 15 month appointment.  The one that changed everything. But every other one she was there, comforting one of my sons and helping me maneuver through twin well baby visits. 

My grandma loved babies. She had three daughters, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. She was a daycare provider to many. A foster mother to 27 babies over the years. 

She would be appalled at what has happened to my babies. 

I told her, at Christmas last year, that Andrew has autism.  We didn't have a formal diagnosis yet but he had just passed his hearing test, so we knew we had ruled out the only other option.  It was still so new that it hurt to say it. 

She was confused, she couldn't believe it.  Autism? In this healthy happy boy that she knew?  I never brought it up again, and I am sure she didn't remember.  

Another thing I am sure of though, is that if she were here, really here, she would be my biggest cheerleader as I fight this uphill battle to recover him.

And goodness, who better to look to for how I should love this child to health?  Her unconditional love is weaved into my heart and it is so easy, therefore, for me to wholeheartedly love and accept this boy.   Which is the very foundation for healing him, in SonRise. 

What did she do when we screwed up? Loved us more.  What did she do when we were sad or mad? Loved us more.  No matter what we did or said she had more love to show.  In her love, we thrived. 

And now we must carry it on. 

Back in Control

So since deciding to do SonRise and reading all the books, life here has been pretty good.   Andrew had a minor regression last week when he got a bit of a cold, but he seems completely back to himself now, and I am relieved.

We took down the baby gates in our house and are letting him freely explore all three floors.  In the basement is his SonRise room.  We had a bit of a scare this week when we couldn't find him for a couple minutes --- he was down in his SonRise room in the dark.  PLAYING WITH BLOCKS.  The next day I found him playing with his bath toys in the empty bathtub.  He is precious and so, so happy.  Playing!!!!!!

Now that things are calmer here, I am beyond ready to take back control of me.  I stopped seriously dieting and exercising in the spring and took it easy on myself with our busy therapy schedule.  I definitely ate to medicate again.

That's over. 

Last year when I ran, I would tell myself how strong I was, how powerful, how committed.  

This year all I can hear when I run is "You're okay. You're okay. You're okay."

And I am.  And it's time to take care of me, now that everything is okay. 

I found the right people, right away, immediately even.  Took a leap of faith and plunged into healing him in every way I could.  And it's paying off. And I will never stop.  

I am learning that the people in my life who surround me are interested in learning how to protect their children and their friends children too.  That means everything to me. There is SO MUCH GOOD that has come from Sweet Andrew's injury that with every day it's harder to look back. Of course I wish he was never injured, but to not know about the GOOD in the people around me?  Not sure. 

That's a gift you have all given me, how do I thank you for that? Keeping me buoyed in the present by your kindness and support, and facing tomorrow knowing you have my back. 

Thank you for your love.  It propels me forward.  

And the more peaceful I can be, the more zen my boy is, and the most responsive and happy.  And that's what we want for him. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  

Andrew, as he is

First and foremost, a huge thanks to all of you for your contributions to Andrew's new SonRise program.   The Start up costs are all set now!  Further contributions will go toward my next trip to the Option Institute or supplies for his program.    Thank you thank you thank you.  We are overwhelmed by your support.  

Peace.  That's all I feel these days, peace.   Wow is it welcome after this year. 

One of the fundamentals that SonRise teaches is that you must come to a place where you accept your child, as he is, and love him totally.  Even if he were not to improve one little bit more.  Being 100% accepting of him as he is and content in it. 

That is pretty easy for me to do right now,  he is so awesome.  He hugs me spontaneously, he kisses.  He's so happy, aware, able...  

Could I have had this attitude before we did biomed?  Could I have accepted the little boy forever who was so unresponsive we thought he might be deaf? Who couldn't make eye contact or bear much touch?  I really don't know.  Thank God we found biomed and he has been so responsive to each and every intervention. 

My little boy. Such a sweet little boy who laughs and sings and is beginning to prefer people over objects, not just me, others! He is blossoming before my eyes.  He does new things every day that literally amaze us.  

So yes.  I am 100% able to stop fighting against myself and accept Andrew, my bright little sunshine, exactly how he is. To stop comparing and daydreaming of recovery. To live in the now with him and be fully present, accepting, and loving.  To celebrate whatever he does when he is surrounded with my attitude of total acceptance. 

It's been a year, it's hard to remember him as anyone who he is now, and I am choosing to be OK with that.  I am through grieving.  I am through with the anger and the sadness consuming me, literally around me like a dark cloud day in, day out. I am choosing to move forward.  

Andrew's SonRise Program -- A Request

Family and friends, 

As you may be aware, our son Andrew was diagnosed with autism this last January.    Ever since, we have had him in full-time therapy with CT's Birth23 program.   He has been doing intensive ABA for six months without a single gain.  His therapists and I have spent many hours brainstorming and problem solving, but he remains resistant to ABA therapy. Without an effective therapy option, Andrews future ability to gain meaningful relationships and function to his highest capacity will be limited. 

We sought out other options (of which there are few, unfortunately), and we found what we believe will be a good fit for our family.   The program, called SonRise, is based on the philosophy of joining the child in HIS world, so then he might venture into ours with us.  It is a gentle, intuitive approach that we are very drawn to.  Even in using just some of the very basic techniques we are seeing wonderful rewards from our son.   Lindsey is going to the Son-Rise start up programOctober 6-11.  The high levels of success acquired by those who have done this program give us hope for Andrew's future. 

The problem is that to run a SonRise program for Andrew will cost several thousand dollars each year.  With Lindsey home with the kids, this would be a big challenge for our family.  The monthly costs for the biomedical supplements that have helped Andrews body and brain heal have made things tight.  While we believe in doing for ourselves, we also believe that our family and friends desire to see Andrew succeed as much as we do.  

We are asking, if you are able, please consider making a donation to Andrews SonRise program.  Every single cent donated will help fund his program.  Please do not feel obligated to donate if you are unable or uncomfortable in any way.   We do not wish to offend anyone with this request, or make you feel awkward. It is very difficult for us to humble ourselves to make this request.  

If you are able and willing, please consider forwarding this request to anyone who might be willing to help.  

We thank you, 

Lindsey and Michael Articolo

PayPal for Andrew's SonRise program:Lindsey.articolo@hotmail.com

Address: 3 Amaryllis lane, South Windsor, CT 06074

Phone: 860-648-9359

Sent from my iPhone

What's Happening

After months of stressing because Andrew is resisting ABA therapy .... Hardcore resisting....  Shaking head no, signing "all done", saying "no,no, no, no, no!" Over and over.   And losing play skills when our primary goal has been to teach him to PLAY, we have had to make some tough decisions. 

Through my research, I found an alternative therapy to ABA.  Through fate, my sweet friend Eileen happened to know someone who has done the program. 

The rest was basically convincing Michael.   But it didn't take much, because there aren't a lot of choices, not good ones!!  We can continue forcing ABA down his throat and be stressed before, during , and after those many hours each week.... Or we could find something else. 

Our therapists are Angels.  They've supported me over this last year in ways you can't imagine unless you've been there. They are autism experts, they've worked with dozens and dozens of kids with special needs, and I have only ever known one: my son.  They've assured me and lifted me up day after day after day.  I adore each of these women, and it will be hard to say goodbye.  What they do for a living, it's a special calling, and you have to be a special person to do it. 

But it's time for something different for Andrew.   It's called SonRise.   The idea, very simplified, is that you must join the child in his world, build trust and love with intensity, and he will venture into your world with you. 

I know. Sounds a little kooky.  But if you spend any amount of time watching the videos of these therapists break through with these kids, you will believe.  

Many recover and go on to a life without autism. This therapy requires their brains. 

I go to the training in October.  More to come.