It's hard to believe it, but we have completed our first month of therapy with Wesley! This program has been far more intense than I ever dreamed it would be. Things at our home have completely changed. Our grocery expenses for each week have nearly tripled (gulp!) to accommodate Wesley's dietary changes. I am more tired, and at times, more overwhelmed than I have ever been in my life! While we knew this program would be hard work, I think I underestimated the amount of dedication and patience that would be required of our family. I have had many tearful days. The mental, physical, and emotional toll has been greater than I anticipated, but the blessings have been greater than the trials! We have had some wonderful encourages and supporters!! God truly has shown me much about His ability and my inability this past month.
I have also learned great lessons from my son during this past month. Wesley has taught me about the simplicity of a child. He has taught me to be simple. You know, all Wesley really wants is a home, some food, and love....and to play with his dog. That's it! He doesn't care about things. He doesn't have any special attachments or toys right now. He wants a place to live and sleep, food when he's hungry, and attention when he needs it. Just observing him has caused us to reevaluate some things about our lives and get rid of the excess. It's been such a precious experience. I wonder if I as a parent have been guilty of unknowingly teaching my children materialism? We have so much we don't need and yet are not always content that our true needs are met. Thank the Lord for His provision. Wesley has taught me to be home. Isn't that a weird statement? That is the only way I can think to describe it. Since we have begun Wesley's therapy, some things have been limited and some things have been completely removed from his daily routine. The things he has to focus on and pay attention to has been shifted. Again, we can reevaluate things we do in our home on a day to day basis and rethink some things. In today's society, we have access to so many things that can keep us from being home even while we are at home! Social media is great at that. Oh it has it's perks, but it can also be a slippery slope. Again, I wonder if I have been guilty of unknowingly putting an emphasis on these things in my home, by my own habits? Have I been influencing their priorities? I don't want my children to think that Facebook, Instagram, etc. are essential to life, that everything they do or we do as a family has to be posted, that we have to spend so much time engaged in social media. My husband and I want a different kind of emphasis in our home.
Wesley's therapy is conducted 3 sessions a day, and any more that we can fit in, and 6 days a week. We take a break on Sunday, so we don't have to figure out how to fit everything in that day. I will admit that so many days I lay my head on my pillow at night and feel like a complete failure. The dishes go unwashed, the laundry still not folded or put away, and the house is a sight. I've learned that even though I do my best, most days I will still come up short, but some of those things can wait. I wish I could do more and I wish I could be involved in more, but sometimes, I have to say "no". It won't be forever and I have to constantly remind myself that life won't always be as it is now, but it is difficult. This past week has been a struggle. Wesley has had a rough week. Things are starting to catch up with him and his brain and body are trying to adjust to it all. There have been days that he has whined and cried all day long, but he has pressed on. Though it has been hard, we have seen some improvements:
- Attention span and focus are getting better.
- He is listening and understanding better.
- He's made good progress potty training.
- He has figured out how to do some of his therapy on his own with just verbal prompts!!!
- He has been eating better and wants to eat more!
- He is sitting down for meals without a battle.
- His eczema is much much better!
A few days ago my husband and I were outside taking care of some yard work and Wesley was with us. Prior to beginning this program he would constantly walk off and wander off and wouldn't respond if we called his name to keep him near us and away from the road. We would often have to run after him and bring him back to where he needed to be. This past week he stayed right with us and if he started to walk off would come back immediately when called and without a fit!! That's huge for him and makes me feel a little safer while having him outside!!
We praise the Lord for the progress we have seen and trust that God will continue to work on Wesley's behalf and continue to open up his understanding. We were told when we started this program that there would be days we would cry and want to quit and be fed up with it all, and we have definitely hit a few of those moments, but good things are happening! We will continue on and see what the Lord does. Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement, and again, if you would like to make a donation to help offset the cost of this therapy, please visit this link! http://www.gofundme.com/wesleyr
Many Blessings!
Kara
Wesley's therapy is conducted 3 sessions a day, and any more that we can fit in, and 6 days a week. We take a break on Sunday, so we don't have to figure out how to fit everything in that day. I will admit that so many days I lay my head on my pillow at night and feel like a complete failure. The dishes go unwashed, the laundry still not folded or put away, and the house is a sight. I've learned that even though I do my best, most days I will still come up short, but some of those things can wait. I wish I could do more and I wish I could be involved in more, but sometimes, I have to say "no". It won't be forever and I have to constantly remind myself that life won't always be as it is now, but it is difficult. This past week has been a struggle. Wesley has had a rough week. Things are starting to catch up with him and his brain and body are trying to adjust to it all. There have been days that he has whined and cried all day long, but he has pressed on. Though it has been hard, we have seen some improvements:
- Attention span and focus are getting better.
- He is listening and understanding better.
- He's made good progress potty training.
- He has figured out how to do some of his therapy on his own with just verbal prompts!!!
- He has been eating better and wants to eat more!
- He is sitting down for meals without a battle.
- His eczema is much much better!
A few days ago my husband and I were outside taking care of some yard work and Wesley was with us. Prior to beginning this program he would constantly walk off and wander off and wouldn't respond if we called his name to keep him near us and away from the road. We would often have to run after him and bring him back to where he needed to be. This past week he stayed right with us and if he started to walk off would come back immediately when called and without a fit!! That's huge for him and makes me feel a little safer while having him outside!!
We praise the Lord for the progress we have seen and trust that God will continue to work on Wesley's behalf and continue to open up his understanding. We were told when we started this program that there would be days we would cry and want to quit and be fed up with it all, and we have definitely hit a few of those moments, but good things are happening! We will continue on and see what the Lord does. Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement, and again, if you would like to make a donation to help offset the cost of this therapy, please visit this link! http://www.gofundme.com/wesleyr
Many Blessings!
Kara
