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 01.03.08 - public - 199 visits
I'm going to try to ask for help more--and then humbly take it...Realizing that the only way to stay a family right now is to accept the help of an in-home support staff and it is very humbling...Honestly, it isn't ideal to have a non-family member in your home--especially when you are not a perfect parent and will fail in front of this new audience. But I am grateful for people who will come into my crazy home and take the burden of my life as their own for a little while, so I can continue to be momma...and bide for time as I continue to search for answers.
Comments(3)
asdmom
Posted on Thu, 3 Jan 2008
It is hard to ask for or accept help. But I came to realize that by trying to be the stubborn, do-it-all, supermom, I was shortchanging my son, myself and the rest of the family. Getting help was only the next step in enhancing my son and my family's lives. It does take some getting used to but like Jan said, it can be the best thing you'll ever do. :-)
carmel66
Posted on Thu, 3 Jan 2008
It's the best thing you can do for the WHOLE family. Good for you. I have gotten used to having orange cracker crumbs everywhere while the floor time therapist crunches around on top of them. She doesn't care either. Happy 2008.
janneane7
Posted on Thu, 3 Jan 2008
It is humbling and it is hard and it can be embarrassing, and down right weird sometimes... but it is also the best thing I have ever done. I couldn't live without Andy's wonderful support and mentors! They have given me back my sanity, and they have given Andy a chance to have some people who he considers to be his real friends whom he has real fun with!
