State: Maine
Country: USA
Member since: Jan 23, 2007
Last logged in: Dec 01, 2008
My name is Shannon and I have a great husband and 2 amazing kids.
My oldest, Wynn, has autism and still struggles, after all these years of treatments and therapies, with anxiety and aggression. At his best, he is funny, intuitive and sensitive.
My daughter, 12 year old Haley, is strong and independent, creative and musical. She has been a shining example for Wynn and taught him many of his first words and skills by sheer example.
Steve is my husband of 19 years and partner in this endeavor to be a family in this crazy world of autism. Out of a need we had to have better communication with Wynn's team members, he created a web application called iAbida.com. It has been a project from his heart, and he makes it available to all families, around the globe, for free.
And me? In spite of being a terrible klutz, I have learned the fine art of juggling....motherhood, advocacy, household management and working from home. Foggyrock is my latest project--to fulfill my own need to be associated with other fantastic folks, like you, who I knew were out there.....Thank you for allowing me into your life through this community.
Favorite Compositions (6)
- New closet doors $200- Repairing four walls with holes - $100 and hours of ...Read more
By stevej on 01.01.70
Comments(5) My son Wynn has autism. As a result, his social skills are stunted. Neverl...Read more
By shannonj on 01.01.70
Comments(10) Every once in a while, the planetary structures all come together in just th...Read more
By shannonj on 01.01.70
Comments(2) My 12 year old son struggles, for some reason, with understanding the difference...Read more
By shannonj on 01.01.70
Comments(5) I’ve heard the weather reports and recognize that it is surely inevitable that I...Read more
By shannonj on 01.01.70
Comments(13)
shannonj's Compositions
by shannonj on 07.27.07 - public - 132 visits
Written one special morning during the spring of 2006:
This morning was very similar to yesterday morning. But nothing like the rest of the past 10 years. As I scramble around the kitchen throwing together breakfast and lunches for Steve and the kids, I find myself basking in the silence. Well, not exactly silence, but almost as close to silence as it gets around here. Haley is styling her hair and making her bed and Steve is helping Wynn in the shower.
The sounds coming from upstairs are more conversational than I can ever remember. Instead of the shrill reactions that have numbed me, my ears are witness to a daddy and his son bantering in the bathroom. I stop whizzing a smoothie and lean closer in. What I hear is nothing short of magic.
Can you help me rinse my hair?
Of course.
Can I dry myself off?
That would be great.
What’s for breakfast, Dad?
I think mommy is making eggs.
Are you going to a meeting today?
Not today.
So I will see you after school?
Yep, you will.
Thanks, Dad.
You’re welcome, bud.
My magic may not be magic to anyone else, but it is powerful enough to lift me high above......strong enough to wash away the fear that has ridden in my back pocket, taunting and haunting---bringing dread into my throat. Fanciful enough to sprinkle my imagination with a future that includes health and sanity and a complete family unit....In a blink, all is well. That kind of magic......
We eat a quick breakfast together. In the air is the buzz of a morning full of deadlines and buses to catch, bills to pay and tread mills to conquer....In a rhythm that is almost like a dance, we grab backpacks and lunchboxes, keys and wallets and step into the new day.
I look back at my husband before I close the garage door. In his eyes I notice a twinkle......a little bit of hope for tomorrow...a little bit of magic for the day.
