Memories

Memories

     

     I have great memories from my childhood, but the ones that I cherish the most are those of my maternal grandparents, Nanny and Granddaddy.  Cole never knew my granddaddy, but I always knew if I was going to have a son, I was going to name him Roy.  Cole's middle name is Roy and I know Granddaddy would be so proud of him.  I am blessed, because my grandparents were incredible people.  My granddaddy Roy would have been 107 today, if Alzheimer's had not robbed him at the age of 86.  I think of my granddaddy every day and miss him, but I do not miss the terrible illness that robbed him of his dignity.  I am comforted by my memories and feel he is still with me every day.  My granddaddy's illness taught me so much about life.  
     Alzheimer's is a disease that I don't wish on my worst enemy, but I am thankful to have had the time with him and the knowledge that I gained from helping take care of him during this time.  I didn't think in a million years Alzheimer's would prepare me for motherhood, but it did.  Alzheimer's and autism are both neurological disorders, but are two different beasts.  The similarities between autism and Alzheimer's disease are striking, simply because if you see one kid with autism, you see one kid with autism.  I feel the exact same way about people who have Alzheimer's-- you see one person living with Alzheimer's disease, you see one person living with Alzheimer's disease.  When we put Granddaddy in a nursing home, a floor specifically dedicated to people living with Alzheimer's, there were 60 rooms on this floor.  I would say on any given day, each conversation would be one in the same that I had with each person I met.  I came to love "Silly" Sybil Simmons, "Coach" Miller, and Howard Portwood.  These people were brilliant, but were robbed of their minds because of the terrible illness, Alzheimer's disease.  My granddaddy was a very sweet, kind, and loving man, but when Alzheimer's ravaged his mind, he was not the same person.  He was belligerent, mean, cussed us out, and didn't know his wife of 64 years.  My mom and I were the only ones that could help relieve the stress, pain, and anger he was feeling.  He was incredibly strong for his size and even carried a wheelchair on his back while strapped in!  The only reason I compare Alzheimer's to autism is because I have lived and experienced both diseases as a caretaker and loved one.  The time I spent singing to my granddaddy helped me realize how much I needed that comfort during this difficult time.
     Cole is now 13 years old and I really don't know where the time has gone.  He met Nanny Comp. (Granddaddy Roy's wife) and he still talks about her.  Cole never met Roy, but I guess you could say in a sense he knows him because of my memories.  I tell Cole about our times at our farm and how Nanny and Granddaddy taught me to shell peas, grow a garden, and how to play baseball.  Cole loves it when I talk to him about Granddaddy because they have the same name!  Cole wants to know why he never met Granddaddy, because he met Nanny.  My exact words are, "Cole, you didn't meet Granddaddy physically, but he will always be in your heart.".  I don't have the courage to tell him how he died, but hopefully one of these days I will have enough strength to tell Cole why he died.  I am not a proponent of explaining death, but I don't think it should be sugar-coated.
     I am okay today, but ten years ago, I was still a mess mentally.  I miss both of my grandparents, but with age comes wisdom.  I understand why they both died and love the fact that they were the most incredible grandparents in the world!  However, I do miss being able to pick up the phone and hear their voice.  They both inspired me to do great things with my life, but the most important lesson I learned from them was unconditional love.  I love Cole, even if he's having a meltdown, due to his autism.  My grandparents loved me and my family unconditionally and because of Roy and Ethilen Compton, I am a better mom, wife, daughter, and teacher.  They showed me how to love God with all my heart, and because of this love for Him, my life couldn't get any better!  I see so much happening for me and for Cole because we love life and all that it has to offer.  Thank you, Nanny and Granddaddy, for always giving me those memories to hold onto.  Happy 107th birthday Granddaddy!

Experiences in Middle School

Experiences in Middle School

     I have come to the conclusion that most people do not realize the time and energy I put into my son's education and home life.  The other day somebody asked me, "Are you the substitute in this class or the teacher?".  I automatically assume the role of teacher and mom, because that's what I do on a daily basis for Cole.  I feel, at times, I am the only one looking out for Cole, in terms of receiving a stellar education.  I still keep in contact with many of Cole's former teachers, simply because they have a true interest in what he is doing and accomplishing in and out of the classroom.  However, I am relentless each and every day that Cole, along with his other classmates, graduates from high school with a diploma and not some stupid "certificate of completion".  Call me crazy, but if a student attends school for 13 years (or more if they have been in the PPCD program), they deserve the right to graduate with their peers without a "certificate of completion".  I have come to loathe the state of Texas with their idiotic ideas about what is required to graduate from high school with a true high school diploma and not a G.E.D. or certificate of completion.  The state of Texas finally did something right with House Bill 5.  The passing of HB 5 gives EACH student a high school diploma, even if they don't pass the STAAR.

     I am not pleased with education in Texas.  Our lawmakers send their kids to private schools to receive a top notch education, so why are the lawmakers deciding our public education's future?  I am going to fight the STAAR until it is eradicated or each school district decides to opt out, because it doesn't allow teachers to teach.  I attended great public schools in Dallas I.S.D. and I had incredible teachers.  Why should our kids suffer because of this irrational test?  I will tell you why:  the lawmakers make a TON OF MONEY by giving Pearson a contract worth $138 million dollars, in return for votes.  I plan to turn Texas upside down by challenging these senators and representatives to get rid of the STAAR.  There are so many school districts who would do so much better, if they didn't have to "teach" to the STAAR.  As a former music teacher in the public school system, I saw firsthand how I was supposed to tutor 6th grade math-- to the test.  I believe I received an incredible public education, because my teachers were not limited by any one test.  In the 1980's and 1990's we had testing (T.E.A.M.S. and I think the TAAS), but I don't remember my teachers "teaching" to these tests.  I remember going on field trips and learning about finance at a bank, attending the opera and symphony and soaking up incredible knowledge about Mozart, Beethoven, and Puccini (my favorite composer), and participating in creative writing competitions, math olympiads, and spelling bees.  These activities gave me an educational compass to follow, and a realm of endless possibilities to dream more, do more, and explore ideas of what I wanted to be when I grew up.

     I am disgusted, and mostly disappointed in our education system.  We have brilliant students in Texas and in our school district, but teachers are limited because of the STAAR and administrators who do not understand (or want to) why teachers need support.  I am sad to report that it has only gotten worse than better, with regards to education in Texas.  I have questioned my sanity, at times, because I love to teach, but do not love being told how I am supposed to teach.  I feel if teachers are given the needed support to help students in the classroom, our kids will flourish and thrive outside of the classroom.  I have seen first hand students receive incredible support from teachers, but because of resources (money) and central administration breathing down our necks, we are failing our students.  I am saddened by our education system, because it needs to be fixed.  

     I see how education can be beneficial to everyone, but if we are limited in our thinking (STAAR), our students suffer.  I know I would have never been accepted into SMU, in particular Meadows School of the Arts, if I had been limited in my thinking.  The Meadows Foundation just gave Meadows School of the Arts the largest gift in history ($45 million), and I know it is because they see the potential in our future.  I wish public education in Texas would understand this concept of "thinking outside the box", because it does happen in the private school setting.  I benefited from thinking outside the box while a student at Woodrow Wilson High School, because I had teachers and a Principal that understood I wanted to learn.  I appreciate those teachers and one Principal in particular who pushed me to think outside the box.  The support and incredible resources I was given as student is what I expect for my son and those who are in the contained special education classroom.  

     Our teachers are tired, have no motivation to teach because they are tied up with paperwork, and have no support from central administration.  I pray each and every day for Cole and his peers to receive the type of education I received:  no bias, teaching children to the fullest extent, and encouraging those around them to lift them up to see their self worth and value.  Middle school is hard.  I hated middle school, but because of that one amazing teacher and coach, it is the area I see myself most drawn to.  Coach Armelia King made that difference in my life.  I now realize I can make a difference in student's lives.  However, I also know that if there is no support at school or home, students suffer because of that lack of support.  Administration (I am talking about Assistant Superintendents and our Superintendent of R.I.S.D. when I speak about Administration) needs to find qualified teachers, those teachers need to implement that I.E.P. to the fullest extent, and administration needs to realize that our teachers need support.  I hope to make that difference one day as an administrator in special education.  I will fight for my son's right to have an incredible education, but ALL parents and families need to fight for their kids.  The only way to get something done is to start a movement.  Who is with me to fight this STAAR and get rid of the small minded thinking?  Support your student, fight for what's right, and we can and will make a difference!

Life Changes

Life Changes

     I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I submitted my application to be a presenter at T.M.E.A. nearly a year ago.  I was not prepared for so many opportunities just from this clinic.  The range of emotions that I have been feeling for over two weeks feels like a roller-coaster.  I was up one minute, down the next, just deciding what I was going to do next with my life.  I have come to the conclusion that my inner voice can't be silenced anymore; therefore I am going to pursue my Master's degree at my alma mater, SMU.  I am excited and quite nervous about this new adventure in my life, but who would I be to silence that voice that has been speaking to me for a year now?  I felt it deep down in my heart to go back to SMU when I took a practice test three weeks ago at Simmons School of Education.  SMU is an unusual school, simply because they are not just a school.  SMU is a higher institution of learning that encourages their students to think big and outside the box.  I would say I received the BEST education at SMU because of the amazing professors.  Two of those professors have become mentors and friends to me!  I can't thank these two professors enough, simply because they have been incredible mentors and role models for me.  I aspire to be what they are to me:  lovers of philosophy, art, and music, who encourage their students in and out of the classroom.  I have a very strong bond with both of these women, simply because they "get" me.  

     I realized last year I needed to go back to school to obtain my Master's in Special Education because of the lack of understanding and knowledge that Cole's principal and Special Education teacher had.  I liked Cole's teacher, but she lacked the understanding and knowledge to actually "get" Cole.  Cole is like me-- he thinks outside of the box and told me the other day Antonio Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" is not Franki Valli and the Four Seasons!  My son is brilliant and can make correlations between music, a genre, and remembers what year a song has been created and released.  I have been volunteering to teach music in Cole's Special Education class since last October and one thing I realized is nearly all of the students in this particular class are obsessed with dates.  The students like to play a game with me, which has become quite funny!  They ask me when was "Blue Moon" first written and sung it first?  They know I love this song, so they always tease me by telling me wrong answer.  You have to be in the class to get this humor, but these kids are incredible.  Cole can tell me on the musical timeline we have created when each song, what year, and what type of music it is (genre).  These kids are extremely bright and intelligent, but they need that extra help when trying to acquire a new math, english, or history concept. 

     I am very excited about returning to the classroom as a student.  I look forward to learning more, expanding my outlook on how special education is taught in the real world, as well as understanding what is expected of me as a special education teacher.  Cole has taught me a lot about life, and I sure hope I can return the favor to those families and students who have an I.E.P. or 504.  IDEA is NOT just an IDEA.  IDEA is a law that protects each student who has a disability.  Stay tuned for my next big announcement!

T.M.E.A. review: Who really reads my blog?

T.M.E.A. Review:  Who Really Reads My Blog?

     It was exactly one week ago that I presented my workshop:  "Using Music Technology with Special Needs Students".  I was extremely nervous, but I had prepared for months for this incredible opportunity!  I was relieved when it was 10:50 a.m. and my session had come to a close.  I had over-prepared, so the question and answer session flew by (10:50 - 11 a.m.).  I did not realize the impact I was going to make in the music community and beyond, but as I am writing this email, I am really behind in responding to emails regarding my workshop!  I have always felt that I was supposed to do something big with my life and make a difference in this world.  I truly believe my workshop opened up the door to limitless possibilities to what I can and will do with my life.  I never knew my role as mom and teacher would be valuable to so many people.  I am forever grateful to my mentors for always instilling in me the desire to search for knowledge, challenge me to always be the best, but most of all, the desire to inspire others.  

     I credit these teachers and administrators for giving me opportunities I could have only dreamed of as an adult:  Mr. Robert Giesler, Buster Cooper (the MOST incredible dance teacher I have ever had), my very first music teacher, Mrs. Cypher, my 4th and 5th grade Math teacher, Lilli Grant, my 2nd grade teacher, Cynthia Bell, my 6th grade teacher, Arnold Young, my coach, 7th grade science teacher and second momma, Armelia King, my 9th grade and 12th grade math teacher, Dr. Jack Mattingly, my private voice teacher, Joan Tallis, and my incredible professors from SMU:  Dr. Gail Hartin, Prof. Barbara Hill-Moore, Dr. Carol Reynolds, Dr. Donna Mayer-Martin, Prof. Constantina Tsoulainou, Dr. James Ode, Dr. Sam Holland, Dr. Jose Bowen, Dr. Alan Wagner, Dr. Andrew Anderson, Prof. Martha Satz, Professor Patti Harington Delaney, and Dr. Stuart Cheney.  These teachers and professors exemplified what I aspired to be:  an inspiration to my students.  They inspired me, challenged me, but most of all, taught me how to think out of the box.  I have never questioned my ability to learn, but these teachers understood that I learned differently.  I applaud these people, simply because they saw my ability.  These teachers, professors, and administrators never judged me and they saw what I was capable of doing with my life.  I did have a few teachers and professors that were very limited thinkers, which did cause me to doubt myself at times.  However, I was so blessed by these specific people in obtaining my degree at SMU (always my biggest accomplishment academically), that I owe them the credit that they rightfully deserve.

     By now, you know my second momma, Armelia King, had the biggest influence on my life (besides Robert Giesler) to become a teacher.  Armelia was a rare breed of a teacher.  She kept me in line, showed me kindness when I really needed it, but most of all, she instilled in me the confidence to face any challenge that arose.  I credit Armelia for giving me my wings to fly, simply because she never took no as an answer.  During those formative middle school years, I believe every student needs one of those teachers like Armelia King.  Coach was my rock when my mom had stage 3 breast cancer, and she inspired me to be the woman I am today:  confident, smart, and forgiving.  I have had great role models in my life (my parents, my maternal grandparents, my husband, my terrific in-laws, and my son), but Armelia King was exactly what I needed at 12 years old.  I could write a book about this amazing woman, simply because I credit Coach for pushing me last year to submit my proposal:  "Using Music Technology with Special Needs Students".  I clearly remember sitting at Coach's bedside at Baylor Hospital and laughing.  Coach didn't say much the last three years, but she could nod her head, say yes and no, and would laugh at the things I would come out with!  I asked her two days after Mother's Day, "Coach, do you think people would benefit from me if I did a workshop about students with special needs?".  She shook her head yes and gave me that look-- Dottie knows that look!  If you knew Coach King, her looks were either 1.  You better shut up and do as I say or I will make you run laps until the cows come home or 2. Did you really just say what I think you said?  Momma gave me look number 2.  I knew I had to do this presentation, even if it wasn't going to be picked because of my second momma, Armelia King.  Coach died August 2014, right after I was able to tell her that my workshop had been picked.

     People like Armelia King and Robert Giesler only come around once in a lifetime.  I have been forever blessed by these two inspiring people, and because of them, I hope I have the same effect on my students.  My son, Cole, and my wonderful husband inspire me every day to do my best.  I love my life, but most of all, I love it simply because I have been given so many incredible opportunities, personally and professionally.  Don't give up in life, simply because you never know who you are going to inspire.  Live your life to the fullest, give back, and love unconditionally.  

Too Much Change: Vaccines Do NOT Cause Autism

Too Much Change

     I really thought we were going to have a great school year, simply because we knew what to expect at Cole's middle school.  We had a great special education teacher, but she abruptly resigned 13 days ago.  She was one of those rare teachers that taught outside the box and challenged Cole on a daily basis.  She was an incredible teacher and pushed him to always do his best in class and in the community.  I can only wonder why she left-- an unexpected visit from administration that told her she wasn't following the student's I.E.P.s, no support from staff to relieve her for a break every day, or maybe it was a personal decision to leave.  I really think it was a combination of things, but she loved her students.  You can't fake unconditional love.  We have gone through many emotions these past 13 days, and I don't blame Cole's teacher for leaving.  I left mid-semester my teaching job, because I feared for my safety.  There are many reasons teachers leave their job, simply because teaching is the hardest job in the world.  However, we lost a great teacher and it has affected Cole in ways I can't put into writing.

     Fast forward thirteen days and my life has been a roller coaster without a stop button!  I have been studying for the TExES test to become a highly qualified special education teacher in the state of Texas.  I took a practice test yesterday at SMU (Simmons School of Education) and I passed it with flying colors!  I was shocked over what I actually knew, but I think what surprised me the most is that I didn't over-think the questions.  I am a perfectionist, so once I realized I only have to make an 80 on this test, I started studying last Thursday.  I am very familiar with Special Education law, but one thing I realized is that I am not very familiar with certain terms.  What is dygraphia?  I had no idea what this was until last night.  Domain III, Competency 008, was the only area that I missed.  I am not a Math, English or Language Arts teacher, but in order to pass this test, I am slowly becoming an expert in these fields.  I wish Common Core did not exist, simply because it doesn't establish a foundation for our children.  How is a student going to accomplish AP Statistics in college, when they are not given the tools to do long division?  I am one of "those" parents that disagrees with STAAR testing (along with a lot of my friends) and feel it should be thrown out.

     Enough about this subject, simply because I was writing today to get rid of the false myth "vaccines cause autism".  Vaccines do NOT cause autism.  I have lost friends over this issue, simply because they truly believe this crap.  The doctor who said vaccines cause autism had his license stripped because it was and is a lie.  We now are seeing an outbreak in Mumps and Measles, simply because there are parents that believe vaccines cause autism.  Yes, there may be a very small percentage of parents that have cause to say this, but it is because their child has an underlying health issue that they may not be aware of.  I blame the media for the hype that says "vaccines cause autism".  Just this morning as I was getting ready, Matt Lauer had a taped recording of a mom who said vaccines caused her daughter's autism.  What they failed to mention is that her daughter had underlying health issues.  I am not questioning the mom about her daughter's health issues, but I know if my child had the option of getting Mumps and Measles vs. Autism, I would take Autism any day.  We have had our ups and downs, but autism is not something that is "catchable".  I interpret autism as a brain fart.  Sometimes autism is funny, like a fart!  Sometimes autism stinks-- just like a fart.  However, I would rather my son have autism than stand over his death bed and ask "why did I listen to the media?  Why is he dying from the Measles?".  Don't believe the hype about this myth.  Don't let autism scare you.  

     I hope this blog post helps expel the myth about vaccines causing autism.  I know one thing is for sure:  if you don't vaccinate your child, your child may be a statistic.  That statistic would read:  Parents didn't vaccinate their child, so their child died from a disease that was preventable.  America, WAKE UP.  Vaccines DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM.  

A New Year = New Schedule of Classes and Change

A New Year = New Classes and Change

     I am not one to procrastinate when it comes to getting things done and checked off the list!  However, I was slowed down in December because I got sick with pneumonia (right before Christmas!) and my "perfectionist" ways made me realize that I am not God.  I have had pneumonia for nearly a month and I started to freak out about the recovery time it takes to get completely well.  I stayed in, didn't celebrate Christmas with my family on Christmas day, but what I came to realize is that I have an incredible family that loves me-- sick or well.  My problem I was having is that I really wanted to finish my Power Point presentation and hand-out for my workshop before the new year.  I didn't get my work done because of my health, so now I am putting on the finishing touches of this huge project.  Life threw me a curve ball as I was not expecting to come down with pneumonia before Christmas, but it made me stop and reflect on my life.  I am only one person, Cole only has one mom, and my husband is my rock.  I have the most amazing life and I feel that God was telling me to slow down.  I am beyond busy trying to figure out what is best for Cole, in terms of education, future employment, what he will do after he graduates from high school, and if he decides to get married.  The reason I state these things is because when you are a mom to a child that has autism or a child with special needs, your worry doubles.  I worry that when I die or when my husband (his amazing dad!) dies, how is Cole going to handle it?  He asks us all the time about when we are going to die.  Cole quotes exact dates of people he has loved when they died.  For example, Cole may have never met them, like Robin Williams, Dick Clark, or Don Pardo, but he truly loved these people.  He is obsessed with dates, so I chalk this up to his incredible memory and his "autism".  I have this incredible kid, who happens to have autism, but as a parent, you always wonder "what if".  I always look ahead to the future, as we never know what each day brings.  I feel planning, preparation, and a lot of prayer goes into having a great life.  I know if I don't prepare and plan, then prayer helps me realize that I need to!

     By now, if you have read all of my blog posts, you will realize how much I love my son and my husband.  Cole has, and always, will be my world.  I have an incredible partner and husband that supports me and Cole in anything that we want to do in life!  Cole's dad and my husband is one of those rare people that gets me and Cole.  He loves us unconditionally and gives us anything and everything we need.  I could write poems, sonnets, songs (which I have), and a book about how my husband loves us.  You never know what life is going to give you, but I am thankful every single day for this man.  The reason I am gushing about my husband and Cole's dad is because he has stood by me, pushed me to where I am today, and knows exactly what I need.  My husband has given me wings to fly, which in return, has given Cole the ability to go out there and seize the  moment.  I couldn't have done my Power Point or workshop without having the right partner and husband supporting me.  He encourages me and Cole to do our best, to love life, but most of all, he has given us a feeling of security.  I love my parents, but having a mate that supports me in everything I do is paramount to how I feel:  I feel I can conquer the world because of the love of my husband!  He has given me and our son, Cole, a home that is full of unconditional love and support.  My parents gave us love and support and I am forever grateful for their support, but having a husband that "gets it" makes life that much better for me and for Cole.

     I know I titled this post:  A New Year = New Schedule of Classes and Change.  Cole loves school because he has amazing teachers, an incredible staff, and wonderful friends.  However, if I didn't fight for his education, he would be just a statistic.  He has the same DJP (Developmental Junior High Program) teacher for English, Math, Social Studies, and Science, but he has a new class this semester, which is working out great!  This class is a human services (think sewing, travel, cooking....) class and he loves it, simply because he has three friends in his class.  He also said the teacher is "hot".  Yep, he's a lady's man for sure!  I told Cole it's a good thing her husband works at his school, so he can watch out for boys like Cole!  I did have words with the counselor (she is lazy, as I have found out from various sources), simply because I feel Cole needs to be mainstreamed as much as possible outside of his DJP classroom.  His DJP teacher, Ms. Tamayo, is incredible!  However, I expect great things from Cole and he is getting closer to high school, so I want him to go to college.  Does this sound attainable for a kid who didn't really talk until age 8?  I think it is very attainable.  I don't give up on Cole, and he doesn't give up either.  We are blessed to have each other in life, but most of all, we are supremely blessed by my amazing husband that gives us the confidence and strength to pursue our dreams.  Have a great January and there will be much more to come from  my blog in the coming months!  Stay tuned, but for now (in Cole's words), "Happy New Year 2015!".........

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

     During the holiday and Christmas season, Cole gets really excited about two things:  Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve and watching the ball drop live in Times Square from New York.  I can say this hypothetically speaking, but when I say Cole is obsessed with the New Year's Eve Ball Drop, he is OBSESSED with this once a year phenomenon.  I am thankful for New Year's Eve, simply because this was the first thing that engaged Cole in learning.  I knew from the time Cole was two years old, he was special.  I also knew Cole was my kid and anything he did was cute, so I didn't think much of it when he would keep repeating "10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, happy new year 2003!".  

     By the time 2004 rolled around, I knew Cole had a learning difference.  The timeline for Cole's progression and seeing how other children were progressing with speech did worry me.  What if he can't catch up in school?  How am I going to get him potty trained and talking by the time he is three?  These were the questions that I had in the back of my head that needed to be answered, but I didn't know who to turn to for help.  I asked  Cole's pediatrician at the time if he had any references for speech therapy for Cole that could help him.  I told Cole's doctor that he wasn't potty trained at his three year old well-check up, but that didn't seem to bother him.    I also told him that I feel Cole needs speech therapy.  Doctors can see many children in one day, so I don't discredit Cole's former pediatrician for not listening to me or picking up on Cole's differences.  However, I knew once Cole was officially diagnosed having autism, I had to change pediatricians.  This was the best decision I made for Cole, me, and my husband.  Cole had the best private speech therapist from kindergarten until sixth grade named Pat Minter, who I credit with giving Cole a voice.  Ms. Pat worked so hard every week with Cole that by the time Cole reached sixth grade, you would never know he had a speech diffiency.  

      I did not know what autism was, but I was about to figure it out in 2005, thanks to the help of an article that was published in the magazine, Dallas Child.  I may have not known what autism was in 2005, but as we look ahead, ten years later, I consider myself an expert in this field.  I hope my blog helps you understand that people with autism are different; however, that does not make them dumb, stupid, or retarded.  I have heard people call others stupid or retarded, simply because of their ignorance towards a disability.  I really feel sorry for people that are so ignorant, simply because they can't see the good  or worth in a person who has autism, downs syndrome, or other learning/physical difference.  I have learned so much from Cole, simply because I haven't limited his thinking.  I knew when I was pregnant with Cole, he was going to be given every opportunity in school and at home to thrive in life.  I also knew that when Cole was diagnosed with autism, my world turned upside down.  The news that is given to you in a meeting telling you your kid has autism is quite an eye opener and shock.  I questioned my parenting skills and wanted to know, "why does my son have autism?.  Once the shock wore off, I knew what I had to do:  keep giving Cole the education he needed to thrive in and out of the classroom.  Cole is now in seventh grade and the life he has is something that he has worked really hard for.  Cole had a lot of help from me and his best friend, Archer, to make, establish, and keep incredible friendships with a lot of his friends, simply because I was not going to be that parent that hides her son from the world.  I credit Archer with being Cole's first very best friend, and because of this amazing and caring soul, Cole is happier than I have ever seen him.  Archer is one of those rare breeds; he loves Cole like his brother.  He would move mountains, run in front of a train for Cole, but most of all, he has always stood up for Cole.  I credit Archer's parents, Ryan and Amy, for giving Archer a strong foundation built on unconditional love, rules, and boundaries.  Because of Archer, Cole has a normal life. There are not many people that open their hearts and home to a kid with autism; I know because we have been there.  Ryan and Amy love Cole and because of them, we are better people.

     Fast forward thirteen years later, the countdown is still a staple in our house!  I love watching Cole get so excited about New Year's Eve, simply because this is his favorite holiday of all time.  Cole still does the countdown every day, whether it be at school, in the car, out in public, or at home.  This is our normal and I love our normal! We may look funny when we are walking across the street and we start to countdown from 10 to 1 in February, then end with "happy new year", but that is us.  I am forever thankful for "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" with your host Ryan Seacrest, simply because this was the first tool in Cole's life that helped him express his words.  Don't give up on your child; you will never know what is going on in their brain.  Sometimes a brain is just so big and full of ideas, that your child can't speak what they are thinking.  I know there are people living with autism that never speak; however, there are plenty of people that do talk who shouldn't!  Love one another, be kind to strangers, but most of all, make your life on Earth one to be remembered for the good that you do in other people's lives.  Happy New Year 2015!