Autism, an RV, and a Dream
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
My name is Morgan Lyttle and I've worked at a clinic for pediatric occupational, physical, and speech therapy for the past 6 years. I've met so many wonderful families that have been given insurmountable obstacles, and yet are the most loving and grateful people in the world.
I don't know why, but it seems like the worst things happen to the best people. Maybe it's rotten luck, maybe God knows that only the best people can handle it with grace and love. I wish I could make it fair, and I see passionate, talented therapists doing their best to bring hope and relief to the children and families affected by these unfair circumstances. But sometimes, I wish we could do more.
One family at the clinic that has touched my heart, and the hearts of many others, is the Dean family. Their son, Lincoln, is a bright, energetic little boy. He loves nature, popsicles, and is so curious and intuitive. Throughout the month of April (National Autism Awareness Month), his mother, Teri, shared her experience with autism and how it affects her life and her family. Her words are honest, raw, heartfelt, and inspring. So many people in our community have gained a valuable understanding of this disorder; I read each post with a heart that is full, but a heart that is heavy. Her words are full of love and truth and occasional, inevitable sadness. A post that was particulary compelling, she wrote on April 3:
"Autism Awareness Month : BREAKS
I've decided to tackle autism month with a different topic each day. I had planned for today to keep it lighter and share some of Linc's progress this past year, but current events have me focusing on something else.
Breaks. We all need them. We all deserve them. I hear all of the time that I need to take care of myself, you can't pour from an empty cup, do one thing for yourself every day, etc.
Linc's lack of communication, OCD behaviors/obsessions and aggression (to top the list) mean that we can't just "get a babysitter". He requires someone skilled and comfortable with him at all times.
Last night we were all set to get some overdue alone time and sleep in for the first time in three months. Hallelujah! With preparations meticulously complete, we packed Linc up to spend the night at Grandma's house.
The drop-off went smoother than expected and Linc went to bed at a decent time for Grandma. Hallelujah again! Time to swipe the cloud of worry away and try to remember who else we are in this life! Play some music, take a quick trip to the lake…and just enjoy the QUIET.
Just the simple feeling of not having to tip-toe around the house, and not care if the door closes loudly or you drop something on the hardwood floor. There's no sleeping boy to wake! Hey, let's be real crazy and start a movie at 11:00pm! That will prove that we are truly free!
It was all fun and games until I'm startled awake by my phone ringing at 4:30am. It's Grandma. Linc has been up since 2:00 (not uncommon), and as a regrettable coincidence Grandma has become stricken by a stomach bug at the same time. So off I go at 5:00am to go pick up Linc, on hardly any sleep, and somehow muddle through another weekend day…except with even less in my cup than I began with.
There are no vacations in our world. No pampering, no partying, no hobbies, no quiet reading under the blanket on the couch, no holidays to plan for, no absence from the therapies or routine, no nurturing of our own souls, no one to "save us".
So how to fix this? How to funnel from that steam to fill our own cups? How do we do this forever? This is the question so many caregivers of special need's individuals ask. We've only been doing this for six years. I know scores of people who have gone on like this for much longer than we have. What do you do when the idea of separating from your spouse becomes a plausible option, just for the fact that would each of you would get a 'break' and have a chance to nurture your own soul once again?
We continue on because there is no other choice. And hope is our boat that we cling to. I will never, ever give up hope that one day things will be better for all of the families like ours out there. I'm not even talking about a cure, just more contentment in all of our cups…especially the ones that are so deserving of our love."
I hope her words resonate as much with you as they do with me. I've known Teri for years, and I've seen firsthand the love and tenderness she has for her son. As his babysitter, I know first-hand the care Lincoln needs. Teri and her husband, Matt, have a home full of warmth and acceptance. Unfortunately, the systems put in place by lawmakers and school districts aren't always as good to children like Lincoln.
After calling Tennessee home for years, the Deans have come to realize that there are more obstacles than advantages in place here as Lincoln grows older. This has lead them to consider alternatives, and they now plan to seek better care in California. I'd like to raise money to help finance the Dean family as they take themselves and Lincoln to greener pastures, where families in their position are better supported and treatment is more progressive.
For Linc, driving across country means more than occasional boredom and cramped spaces. Being confined to a car for any extended period of time would not only be uncomfortable, it would be dangerous. In a small space, there is not ample room to meet Lincoln’s needs, resulting in frustration, meltdowns, and aggression. In order to take their family across the country, the Deans would require an environment in which Lincoln feels safe and comfortable. I made this campaign to help the Deans reach their goal of purchasing an RV to provide Lincoln with a safe, open space for travel.
Moving away from your home and support network is always difficult. Coupling that with the difficulties autism can provide makes this journey even tougher. Please consider donating a little to cups in need of filling.
Give a little, give a lot, give words of kindness and encouragement, give money if you can, but mostly give thanks that there are people in this world like Matt and Teri that give everything they can and ask nothing in return.
Thank you and God bless,
Morgan
My name is Morgan Lyttle and I've worked at a clinic for pediatric occupational, physical, and speech therapy for the past 6 years. I've met so many wonderful families that have been given insurmountable obstacles, and yet are the most loving and grateful people in the world.
I don't know why, but it seems like the worst things happen to the best people. Maybe it's rotten luck, maybe God knows that only the best people can handle it with grace and love. I wish I could make it fair, and I see passionate, talented therapists doing their best to bring hope and relief to the children and families affected by these unfair circumstances. But sometimes, I wish we could do more.
One family at the clinic that has touched my heart, and the hearts of many others, is the Dean family. Their son, Lincoln, is a bright, energetic little boy. He loves nature, popsicles, and is so curious and intuitive. Throughout the month of April (National Autism Awareness Month), his mother, Teri, shared her experience with autism and how it affects her life and her family. Her words are honest, raw, heartfelt, and inspring. So many people in our community have gained a valuable understanding of this disorder; I read each post with a heart that is full, but a heart that is heavy. Her words are full of love and truth and occasional, inevitable sadness. A post that was particulary compelling, she wrote on April 3:
"Autism Awareness Month : BREAKS
I've decided to tackle autism month with a different topic each day. I had planned for today to keep it lighter and share some of Linc's progress this past year, but current events have me focusing on something else.
Breaks. We all need them. We all deserve them. I hear all of the time that I need to take care of myself, you can't pour from an empty cup, do one thing for yourself every day, etc.
Linc's lack of communication, OCD behaviors/obsessions and aggression (to top the list) mean that we can't just "get a babysitter". He requires someone skilled and comfortable with him at all times.
Last night we were all set to get some overdue alone time and sleep in for the first time in three months. Hallelujah! With preparations meticulously complete, we packed Linc up to spend the night at Grandma's house.
The drop-off went smoother than expected and Linc went to bed at a decent time for Grandma. Hallelujah again! Time to swipe the cloud of worry away and try to remember who else we are in this life! Play some music, take a quick trip to the lake…and just enjoy the QUIET.
Just the simple feeling of not having to tip-toe around the house, and not care if the door closes loudly or you drop something on the hardwood floor. There's no sleeping boy to wake! Hey, let's be real crazy and start a movie at 11:00pm! That will prove that we are truly free!
It was all fun and games until I'm startled awake by my phone ringing at 4:30am. It's Grandma. Linc has been up since 2:00 (not uncommon), and as a regrettable coincidence Grandma has become stricken by a stomach bug at the same time. So off I go at 5:00am to go pick up Linc, on hardly any sleep, and somehow muddle through another weekend day…except with even less in my cup than I began with.
There are no vacations in our world. No pampering, no partying, no hobbies, no quiet reading under the blanket on the couch, no holidays to plan for, no absence from the therapies or routine, no nurturing of our own souls, no one to "save us".
So how to fix this? How to funnel from that steam to fill our own cups? How do we do this forever? This is the question so many caregivers of special need's individuals ask. We've only been doing this for six years. I know scores of people who have gone on like this for much longer than we have. What do you do when the idea of separating from your spouse becomes a plausible option, just for the fact that would each of you would get a 'break' and have a chance to nurture your own soul once again?
We continue on because there is no other choice. And hope is our boat that we cling to. I will never, ever give up hope that one day things will be better for all of the families like ours out there. I'm not even talking about a cure, just more contentment in all of our cups…especially the ones that are so deserving of our love."
I hope her words resonate as much with you as they do with me. I've known Teri for years, and I've seen firsthand the love and tenderness she has for her son. As his babysitter, I know first-hand the care Lincoln needs. Teri and her husband, Matt, have a home full of warmth and acceptance. Unfortunately, the systems put in place by lawmakers and school districts aren't always as good to children like Lincoln.
After calling Tennessee home for years, the Deans have come to realize that there are more obstacles than advantages in place here as Lincoln grows older. This has lead them to consider alternatives, and they now plan to seek better care in California. I'd like to raise money to help finance the Dean family as they take themselves and Lincoln to greener pastures, where families in their position are better supported and treatment is more progressive.
For Linc, driving across country means more than occasional boredom and cramped spaces. Being confined to a car for any extended period of time would not only be uncomfortable, it would be dangerous. In a small space, there is not ample room to meet Lincoln’s needs, resulting in frustration, meltdowns, and aggression. In order to take their family across the country, the Deans would require an environment in which Lincoln feels safe and comfortable. I made this campaign to help the Deans reach their goal of purchasing an RV to provide Lincoln with a safe, open space for travel.
Moving away from your home and support network is always difficult. Coupling that with the difficulties autism can provide makes this journey even tougher. Please consider donating a little to cups in need of filling.
Give a little, give a lot, give words of kindness and encouragement, give money if you can, but mostly give thanks that there are people in this world like Matt and Teri that give everything they can and ask nothing in return.
Thank you and God bless,
Morgan
Organizer and beneficiary
Morgan Lyttle
Organizer
Mount Juliet, TN
Teresa Dean
Beneficiary
