Becoming the bridge between our 2 worlds
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Once upon a time, we were brand new parents with a little baby boy named Myles. Seven months later, we were joyfully expecting our second baby boy, Sammy. The whirlwind of the next couple years brought equal amounts of happiness, and exhaustion, as we watched two little ones under the age of two navigate through their days! They were both happy babies, and were, seemingly, developing at a typical pace. Myles had a great love for animals that was only matched by his fascination with the movie CARS. He was able to label all the names of his favorites, and even though his language skills were not fluent, we were able to connect with him and felt comfortable with his progress. Sam was developing differently and seemed to have a great interest in textures and contrasting colors and shapes. He loved music and sing~songy activities as well as being confined in tight spaces like behind couch cushions and small toy storage bins. At the age of two, the doctors became concerned that Sam still had no language. This began our journey to finding out the next several chapters in our story!
Within just a few months, after several evaluations, Sam was diagnosed with autism in April and Myles in July of 2008. Our first response was, "Will they have meaningful relationships with others?" . This question has always been at the forefront of our hearts as we have strived for our children to be connected in this world. As grateful as we have been for each person who has been involved with our boys, the "meaningful connections" piece was such a struggle. It seemed like we were just managing our children's behavior and forcing them to be, and learn, and grow just like everyone else . We were often given the analogy of crossing over the bridge to reach our children and then bringing them back across to our world. It seemed as if we were doing this, however, it was not always in a loving or respectful way. In fact, it was rarely on our children's terms. It seemed forced and without meaning!
The latest chapter in our story is so exciting to share! We found The Son~Rise Program about 18 months ago during a tremendous struggle with Myles. We were looking for an alternative to traditional therapies, and we were mostly hoping to find a better way to interact with our boys once we actually "crossed the bridge". Within a month of finding the Autism Treatment Center of America in Sheffield, Massachusetts, I was on my way to the Start~up class. I was met with over a hundred other parents from all over the world, all coming to learn how to help their children. We learned how to JOIN our children in their world, rather than force them to be a part of a world they are not ready to be a part of. This joining has offered our family the way to create those meaningful connections we had hoped for so long ago.
We have been using The Son~Rise Program principles exclusively for 12 months now and have seen a huge improvement in each of our children. Myles was having tantrums daily, lasting up to 2 hours sometimes. He rarely has a tantrum now, and they are mild in intensity and duration. This is such a miracle!! Sam's language is just starting to develop as he uses 2 to 3 word phrases to get his needs and wants met. His eye contact is extraordinary and he really enjoys being in the playroom now!
All of our time in the playroom is offered by amazing volunteers! They lovingly join the boys in whatever they are interested in, essentially saying, "I love you, and want to do what YOUR idea is!". This sets up an unconditional invitation for our children to see that people are user friendly. It has been incredible watching as the boys become more accepting, more flexible and more interested in others. Myles and Sam have each had an average of 10 hours a week in their playrooms for several months now. Our goal is 40 hours a week per playroom as we search for exceptional volunteers who will JOIN our team!
Each of these stories is so exciting on their own! Put together they are the foundation for, what we now know to be, the story about 2 boys who will fully recover from their autism. The story about the little family who believed BIG dreams and loved BIG love. The story about brave adventure seekers, crossing over bridges to far away lands, all for the love of the connection!
Our story.
Please consider helping us as we fulfill our great BIG purpose!
As we move forward towards our goals, the cost of outreaches, consultations and further training at the Autism Treatment Center of America continues to build. Our current fundraising goal is $10,000.00, which will help us greatly within the next year. Most Son~Rise programs run an average of 4 years. We are 1 year in with each of our children.
Thank you so much for your consideration!
Lee and Joy Foster
"For I know the plans I have for you.. plans to prosper you, and not to harm you..plans to give you hope and a future! "
Jeremiah 29:11
Within just a few months, after several evaluations, Sam was diagnosed with autism in April and Myles in July of 2008. Our first response was, "Will they have meaningful relationships with others?" . This question has always been at the forefront of our hearts as we have strived for our children to be connected in this world. As grateful as we have been for each person who has been involved with our boys, the "meaningful connections" piece was such a struggle. It seemed like we were just managing our children's behavior and forcing them to be, and learn, and grow just like everyone else . We were often given the analogy of crossing over the bridge to reach our children and then bringing them back across to our world. It seemed as if we were doing this, however, it was not always in a loving or respectful way. In fact, it was rarely on our children's terms. It seemed forced and without meaning!
The latest chapter in our story is so exciting to share! We found The Son~Rise Program about 18 months ago during a tremendous struggle with Myles. We were looking for an alternative to traditional therapies, and we were mostly hoping to find a better way to interact with our boys once we actually "crossed the bridge". Within a month of finding the Autism Treatment Center of America in Sheffield, Massachusetts, I was on my way to the Start~up class. I was met with over a hundred other parents from all over the world, all coming to learn how to help their children. We learned how to JOIN our children in their world, rather than force them to be a part of a world they are not ready to be a part of. This joining has offered our family the way to create those meaningful connections we had hoped for so long ago.
We have been using The Son~Rise Program principles exclusively for 12 months now and have seen a huge improvement in each of our children. Myles was having tantrums daily, lasting up to 2 hours sometimes. He rarely has a tantrum now, and they are mild in intensity and duration. This is such a miracle!! Sam's language is just starting to develop as he uses 2 to 3 word phrases to get his needs and wants met. His eye contact is extraordinary and he really enjoys being in the playroom now!
All of our time in the playroom is offered by amazing volunteers! They lovingly join the boys in whatever they are interested in, essentially saying, "I love you, and want to do what YOUR idea is!". This sets up an unconditional invitation for our children to see that people are user friendly. It has been incredible watching as the boys become more accepting, more flexible and more interested in others. Myles and Sam have each had an average of 10 hours a week in their playrooms for several months now. Our goal is 40 hours a week per playroom as we search for exceptional volunteers who will JOIN our team!
Each of these stories is so exciting on their own! Put together they are the foundation for, what we now know to be, the story about 2 boys who will fully recover from their autism. The story about the little family who believed BIG dreams and loved BIG love. The story about brave adventure seekers, crossing over bridges to far away lands, all for the love of the connection!
Our story.
Please consider helping us as we fulfill our great BIG purpose!
As we move forward towards our goals, the cost of outreaches, consultations and further training at the Autism Treatment Center of America continues to build. Our current fundraising goal is $10,000.00, which will help us greatly within the next year. Most Son~Rise programs run an average of 4 years. We are 1 year in with each of our children.
Thank you so much for your consideration!
Lee and Joy Foster
"For I know the plans I have for you.. plans to prosper you, and not to harm you..plans to give you hope and a future! "
Jeremiah 29:11
Organiser
Joy Foster
Organiser
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