Well, Brandon will be going into mainstream kindergarten in the Fall. He will be in Mrs. Betz’s class. I am excited, yet scared for him. However, I know it will be good for him in the long run for his socialization skills. He may be awkward at first, but weren’t we all!!!
I am actually quite pleased and surprised by the help that was offered to Brandon at East Penn Elementary and am curious to see how it will all work out in the Fall.
My take on the Public School system and children with special needs is if you don’t fight for what your rights are, nothing will ever change. And that may be fine and good if you have an alternative, however, most people do not, so I not only fight for Brandon, but for the less fortunate. I will fight to get their needs met with dignity and understanding. I will fight so they can also get the best education possible. The only way things change anywhere is if we stand up and fight for what is right and what is necessary. Lets do this together, it really works better when we are a team.
Brandon had a breakthrough seizure on Saturday.
Jeff saw it on the way to Mimi’s house that afternoon.
We are increasing his medication and hope it will help for awhile. The goal is to get him to not have any seizures for a few years and then we can start to ween him off. I hope for his sake (and his livers) we can do this soon.
It is scary sometimes to think he may not be able to drive when he is older or will be ridiculed or maybe not even hold a job. I know what ever the outcome, God will be an ever present help and hope Brandon comes to know him as his savior. God is good, even in the midst of turmoil. There is a purpose for Brandon having these, but I do pray it is God’s will he outgrows them.
Emma has graduated from Kindergarten and will be going into 1st grade in the fall. So proud of her. She is doing so good in school. Im anxious to see the dynamics when Brandon goes to Kindergarten and they are both at the same school.
Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you Emma you are growing into such a beautiful, smart girl. We love you very much.
Well, I have not checked in in awhile, but there hasn’t been too much to report. Brandon has been doing well, having his ups and downs as usual, but for the most part ok.
Our Puppy is doing well, had a little incident last night with the kids playing to rough with her, but she is fine now.
We have all decided to go on Family Vacation to Myrtle Beach SC. Quick decision and Emma is soooooooooo excited about going to the beach and staying in another “house”. She talks about it every day. She is planning on what she bringing, from clothes to food!
I am dreading the long car ride, but well get thru it. This is our first family vacation. It will be very fun.
This short clip caused me to look at myself and examine what examples I show my kids. While I believe I set a good example. I can do better. It is time I get back on my path. It is time. More to come soon.
Well, once again this year, Dan’s Camera City in Allentown opened their doors to us and graciously let us use their wonderful store to sell cupcakes to support Autism.
So many people chipped in to help make it a successful day and a successful day it was.
We sold every last cupcake that day!
I enjoyed my day along with a faithful friend who helped me the entire time, ironically named Faith.
She was there last year and pitched in again this year to help support a cause she wants to know more about.
She is a loving and caring young woman. I am blessed to know her.
We are thankful for the support of Dan’s Camera City who gave us so much more that we asked for and made us feel as if we are family to them.
These people are really genuine in heart and they really care about their staff and the customers that walk thru the door.
Last but certainly not least all the wonderful people who baked and put so much effort into the work they did.
It makes me cry each year when the generosity of people flood our house and help us reach our goal to find a cure for Autism and to help pay down our Son’s medical bills.
It has been a struggle for us for over 5 years now. Imagine paying a bill for 5 years that has to do with your son’s illness. Everytime that bill is paid, a weight is lifted and still we remember. We remember the heartache that insued and took over our lives.
Then, we remember how faithful God is and has been to us and how much worse it could be.
Thanks to our family and friends and all the prayers and support that continuously go out to our family.
Lots of Love to you all.
Sincerely,
The Hall Family
Almost 2 months ago Emma and I made a deal that if she took care of our 13 year old dog for 1 month that we could discuss getting her a puppy. So Emma was feeding, watering and picking up doggie droppings for 2 months. So Dee and I began the process of trying to find a puppy. We first went to the local shelters and were very disappointed. They were not helpful, there was tons of red tape to go through before you even got to take the dog, almost a 4 process. The shelter required in home interview, on site interview, several personal references, vet reference and I think your first born. The last one I was kidding. We then began searching on the web and after a couple weeks we found this place called Portland Pets. Dee called and the owners a husband and wife were extremely helpful. So we went there today, and Emma picked out a black Jug (Jack Russle and Pug mix). She is so cute. And Emma and Katie (The Dog) fell in love. Check out the newest member of our family.
April is Autism Awareness month and as most of you know, our Son Brandon has High Functioning Autism.
Autism is said to affect 1 in every 150 children today and there is no known cure for it.
We fight for this because we believe there is something perhaps environmental or genetic that is causing this to happen so rapidly in our children today.
Jeff and I will be promoting the Walk for Autism on the 18th of April in Allentown, by holding a cupcake sale.
This year we are doing something a bit different.
Instead of just cupcakes we will also be accepting donations of cookies or brownies.
We are not asking for many just a dozen of whatever you want to make.
Feel free to be creative and unique with what you make, because I believe children with Autism have both of those characteristics and so much more to offer our world.
Last year the cupcakes did very well and we were pleased with the outcome, but we’d love to give people options.
Again, the irony of options. We are not all made the same.
The bake sale is going to be held on April 11th at Dan’s Camera City in Allentown from 10am till 4pm.
If you wish to Bake for Brandon, please reply to this message or give me a call.
You can drop the treats off at my home the day before or your can come over to Dan’s and visit.
We will be asking for Donations of $1 and in return people will get a cupcake or whatever tasty treat they choose.
10% of the proceeds will go to the ASA Lehigh Valley.
The rest will go towards paying for Brandon’s Past medical bills which we have been slowly but surely widdling down.
This would not be possible if it were not for the love and support of our friends and family.
Compassion is one of the worlds greatest gifts. We thank you for yours.
From the Hall Family’s heart to yours.
Many Blessings.
Over the past two weekends I decided to rip up our rug in our living room and dining room, by myself with two kids running around the house. Crazy I know. But after putting in four 12 hour days in and working after work to finish, I am now done with the 800 square feet of floor and installing all new moldings. Yesterday when I finished I got to thinking of all the projects I use to watch my father do at our house, he did things from install new siding, roofing, windows, and much more. And he did this all by himself, I use to think he was nuts for not asking for help. But I now understand why, your sense of accomplishment is not there when you get help. You feel proud that you were able to do it on your own. Granted I know you need to ask for help sometime, but boy it feels good to do a job like this and do it well. One quote from one of the funniest movies I have ever seen sums up how I felt, Bruce Almighty ” Some of the happiest people in the world go home smelling to high heaven.” I was definitely happy.
