'She Only Knew How to Love'

As I watched my autistic daughter go out onto a baseball field, spinning and
laughing, I relished the beauty of the moment.

By Sherry Wright

I have been blessed with four children-one of them severely handicapped. Her name was Tiffany, and she was severely autistic. Although she couldn't speak, Tiffany only knew how to love people.

Every day my father would come over just to take her for a walk by the creek. She loved to throw rocks into it and watch the ripples. She would giggle so hard--it was almost like she had her own connection to God.

One weekend when Tiffany was 12 years old, we went to watch my oldest daughter Becky's baseball tournament. That was the most beautiful time we ever had with Tiffany. She never once hit herself--an upsetting symptom of her form of autism--and she just showered love on each and every one of us.

At the end of the tournament, the officials handed out awards on the field. Becky won the MVP trophy. Suddenly Tiffany walked out to the pitcher's mound.

Everyone watched because this was very out of character for her. She lifted her hands above her head and started twirling around in circles, laughing so hard that it became contagious. We were all full of joy.

The really strange part was that tears were rolling down her face. It was such a beautiful moment, and it touched so many people. It was the first time that we had ever seen her shed a tear out of joy and not out of hurting herself.

I had no idea what was to come...

After we all came home and I had put the kids to bed, I thanked God for giving me such a beautiful time with her and the other children. Then I fell asleep. I actually slept the whole night for one of the first times in the 12 years of Tiffany's life.

I had no idea what was to come.

The next morning I went into Tiffany's bedroom to get her ready for school. I found she had died in her sleep. I was devastated and didn't understand why God would allow this to happen to me again (I also lost a son in a drowning accident a few years before).

All of a sudden I was struck with a revelation. When Tiffany went to that baseball field and put her hands to the sky and spun around laughing, she was telling God that she was ready to come home. He allowed me to have that last, most beautiful memory of her, filled with love and joy, where she was not suffering and hitting herself.

Tears streamed down my face as I reflected on my last day with her. I thank God every day that he allowed me those memories. I know in my heart that her death was only the beginning of her life. She was so beautiful at her funeral. I know that God was letting me see that she was whole now. All the pain and suffering had left her face.

I felt so much peace because God gave me that gift of witnessing my little girl say goodbye the night before.

So please cherish your children always, because no one is promised tomorrow. Make every day count, and hold on to those precious moments. Not one day goes by that I don't miss and think of Tiffany, but I thank God for her life.

Tips on Travelling

I got this from an eGroup that I am a member of... Nice and helpful tips when you're travelling with a special child...

~*~

Tip No. 1 - Choose a good airline. My kids are never happy with PAL. Can't understand either. With SIA, they're ok. With PAL, they're incredibly tense. They keep munching and they keep
vomiting. Of course, you don't have to buy this tip.

Tip No. 2 - If it's a long flight, sedate only when you need to. Cough syrup of course....There will be times that you'd wish he was awake and could walk.

Tip No. 3 - Beware of sugar.

Tip No. 4 - Stay cool. No matter how you want them behave they won't. They can feel your tension. Forget the other people but do your best in keeping him together without losing your cool.

Tip No. 5 - Long flight? Bring somebody with you and take turns. Don't depend on the other person entirely. Work out a system so both of you don't lose it. That's what I don't miss about being abroad. Not having a driver and a yaya....No joke.

Tip No. 6 - Educate your son about airplanes and airports. Keep talking to him about the whole process of checking in, boarding, seatbelts, etc. Use books or what have you. Talk to him as
you are actually going through it at the airport and the airplane.

Tip No. 7 - Don't travel during peak season. Less people, the better.

Tip No. 8 - Ask for a special menu if he's on a special diet. Ask the airline if they have this. PAL, SIA and Northwest has this. Most kiddie meals are laden with sugar and preservatives.

Tip No. 9 - Reduce the handcarry.

Tip No. 10 - Ask your OT for exercises he can do on the plane.

Tip No. 11 - What am I talking about? Within the country lang naman eh. That should take 45 mins or so. Then choose an airline with a short check-in like AirPhil. The seats are wider, check in is faster and its almost the same price anyway.

Tip No. 12 - Trust the maternal instinct.

Cris

===========

~DAILY DOSE OF PRAYER~

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (Mark 11:25, NIV)

PARENT’S PRAYER:

Dear Father, How we thank you that you are a God of forgiveness, and that as we are faithful to confess our sins to you in Jesus’ name, you cast them as far away from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Father, we long for our prayers to be as fruitful as possible. Therefore, as the Bible instructs us, we choose to forgive those who have sinned against us. Father, there are times when it is very difficult to forgive those who have wronged us or our children, and it can be a real struggle.

In situations like that, Lord, we pray that you would infuse us with the strength and grace we need, and that you would minister to the deep wounds and anger these situations have caused. Father, we thank you for your power to overcome and restore our lives, and we thank you that you help us wield one of the most powerful of your weapons, which is forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FAMILY/FRIEND’S PRAYER:

Dear Father,How I thank you that you are a God of forgiveness, and that as we are faithful to confess our sins to you in Jesus’ name, you cast them as far away from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Father, I know the Santos family longs for their prayers to be as fruitful as possible. Therefore, as the Bible instructs, I ask that you would help them to forgive those who have sinned against them.

Father, there are times when it is very difficult to forgive those who have wronged us or our children, and it can be a real struggle. In situations like that, Lord, I pray that you would infuse the Santos family with the strength and grace they need, and that you would minister to the deep wounds and anger these situations have caused. Father, I thank you for your power to overcome and restore their lives, and I thank you that you help them wield one of the most powerful of your weapons, which is forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

daily prayer

(Jesus speaking…) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27, NIV)

PARENT'S PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

We thank you that you are a God who not only listens to our prayers, but you speak to us as well. We thank you for your promise that as your sheep, we are able to hear your voice. We come before you today to ask that you would sharpen our ears to hear and recognize your voice. In the midst of all of our busyness, we ask that you would quicken us to follow the direction of your voice. We also thank you that DALE is one of your sheep. We thank you for the promise that he can also listen to your voice. We praise you that you are the God of all power, and that a disability does not prevent a person from hearing your voice. We ask Lord that you would visit DALE often, and reveal yourself to him. We are so grateful for all the promises that you have for us!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen


FAMILY/FRIEND'S PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

I thank you that you are a God who not only listens to our prayers, but you speak to us as well. I thank you for your promise that as your sheep, we are able to hear your voice. I come before you today to ask that you would sharpen the SANTOS family’s ears to hear and recognize your voice. In the midst of all of their busyness, I ask that you would quicken them to follow the direction of your voice. I also thank you that DALE is one of your sheep. I thank you for the promise that he can also listen to your voice. I praise you that you are the God of all power, and that a disability does not prevent a person from hearing your voice. I ask Lord that you would visit DALE often, and reveal yourself to him. Thank you for all the promises that you have for this family!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen


All content © 2005, Children of Destiny

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help feed the children of Payatas

I have been looking for volunteer work since last year, and an online friend told me about the Soup Kitchen. I was inspired by everything she wrote about it, and every wonderful person who wanted to help.

My daughter, Anea, pledged to give half of what she'll be getting for Christmas, a friend of mine gave enough to feed a hundred kids for a day. And yet another gave $20 directly from the States.

Indeed, a lot of people is in need of giving out something. Not everyone is in need of receiving.

For people who want to volunteer and give donations:

"People with heart for the poor and hurting can come to do any of the following:
a. Become community health advocates
b. Visit homes of the poor to learn how we can help them
c. Work with families, to teach parenting, and budgeting
d. Help create jobs, make business plans, to learn marketing skills, to get things rolling
e. Guide young people through troubled times
f. Teach computer skills, sewing, other household skills

There are presently 13 Feeding Centers located in the following places:
1. At the Soup Kitchen, Pilot Area, Brgy. Commonwealth
2. At nearby Kasunduan street, on the east side of Commonwealth Avenue near the Commonwealth Elementary School known as:
a. Kasunduan I
b. Kasunduan II
c. Kasunduan III
d. Kasunduan IV
3. Purok 10, Unit 5, Brgy. Commonwealth
4. Rizal Street, Damsite area, Payatas
5. Kaunlaran street
6. Everlasting
7. Litex
8. Sitio Veterans, Brgy. Bagong Silang
9. Rolling Hills, Payatas
10. Ph 9, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City"

Here are the NGO's bank account details, just in case you want to make your deposits directly:

For peso donations:

Prudential Bank
Retiro Branch, N.S. Amoranto St., Quezon City
Savings Account No. 01043-010963-0
For the account of: Lighthouse Center for Children Foundation, Inc.

For U.S. dollar donations:

Prudential Bank
Retiro Branch, N.S. Amoranto St., Quezon City US
Dollars S/A # 05043-001046-7
For the account of: Lighthouse Center for Children Foundation, Inc.

Donations in kind are welcome as well... rice, mongo, seasonings, vegetables, etc.

party!

It was Dale's birthday yesterday...

he slept at his Dad's apartment the night before. When he got home, he found me sleeping. According to the yaya, he went straight up to the roof deck where we normally hold parties.

After looking around, he shouted "Mommy!!! Where's mommy!"

Then he came back and woke me up, and told me, "Mommy, make my party nicely and not scary, ok?"

He was frustrated as he did not see any indication that a small party was going to take place later in the day.

The food was just pancit, chicken, cake, and ice cream. During lunch we had beef in mushroom sauce. Everything was cooked by Ronald, Dale's dad. The chicken was fabulous. I did not say so during the party 'coz Ronald was too air-headed about it already. It really tastes and looks like Jollibee's chickenjoy. Hehe.

We did not invite a lot of people. We invited our relatives, but unfortunately, all of them were not available. So, the only guests were our immediate family members, and Anne, my friend from the office.

Eventhough it wasn't a big party, I was exhausted. The kids were jumping all around and Anea was having a tantrum about not getting what she wants from her Dad.

Empoy, Joanne, and Jed came later in the evening. Empoy was able to fix the pc! Yey! We just wish that it won't crash again...

Jed was so funny. He loved Pong, my pet turtle. It looked like his first time out with friends. Hehe. He jumped, laughed, and ran around the house with Dale and Tony.

My mom called from the States and greeted Dale a happy birthday. Luckily, my brother's family was already there for the party and they were able to talk to my mom, too.

It was sad that we did not get to to even talk to Papa, but all-in-all, it was a good day.

7 birthdays have gone... countless more to come!

Christmas Party...

i feel guilty that i didn't come to Dale's Christmas Party.... especially when the yaya told me how excited and happy Dale was... he danced and sang the Pinoy Big Brother theme song and ate a lot...

hay...

i should've come.

If only we were rich and need not work to live.

endless possibilities

hello.

I am Reich, mother to Arolf Delano (Dale, for short; 7 years old), who has Asperger's Syndrome.

I wanted to start an online reference for parents, relatives, teachers, therapists, and friends of children on the Autism Spectrum.

If there is one word that i consider my favorite, it is POSSIBILITY. Hence, the website title. 1217, stands for December 17, Dale's birthday.

I wish that with this website, other parents like me can be hopeful in finding a "cure" to Autism.