Comments for Fun and Function

Comment on Friday Headlines by Zoila

Zoila — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:27:49 +0000

I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your blog and thank you for featuring my family a few months ago. I nominated you for the Versatile Blog Award. http://polyhobbymommy.com/archives/1202

Take care,
Polyhobbymommy

Comment on Featured Caregiver – Evelyn by Barney Willer

Barney Willer — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:15:10 +0000

Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.

Comment on Featured Parent – Stephanie by Charlene McCune

Charlene McCune — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:30:29 +0000

Stephanie is an awesome mom. I know. She’s my daughter-in-law. Unconditional love…she gets it.

Comment on Sleepwalking – Searching for Suggestions by Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 19:36:18 +0000

You can get simple, battery operated door/window alarms at Home Depot or Lowes. They operate based on contact…if contact is lost (as in the door opens)…the alarm sounds. These were used in my sons’ preschool to make sure no one escaped through the emergency exit while the teacher was on the other side of the room.

Comment on About Evil Coats and Itchy Socks by margo viers

margo viers — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:29:55 +0000

Amazing, I am 66 years old and until today I had no clue that there was name for not likeing seams. Once I went to the Dr. and she was concerned because I had my camisole on inside out – simple to me I don’t like seams rubbing my skin. Need cotton, poly makes me hot. Wool makes me itch. Linen, if soft, and silk work fine. If I have to concentrate hard for work I have to be in comfortable clothes or there is a constant nagging disruption. Certain toothbrushes are a problem. dental floss is a nightmare I pay to have my teeth cleaned 4 times a year rather than floss. It is always the texture even in food. My body runs hot even as an “old” person.

What is needed in this site is sleep apparel with no seams or banded seams of soft material. Silk is good because it is both warm and cool depending on the weather.

Comment on Sleepwalking – Searching for Suggestions by Heather

Heather — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:57:58 +0000

I still sleep walk as an adult, so the they may grow out of it really does not apply. Because my son can be a runner we have a security latch on the front door. Our side door has a double keyed dead bolt, it can only be unlocked with a key from inside and outside. You may also want to try a burglar alarm meant for a window. It is a two peice thing and when the pieces are moved apart the alarm goes.

Comment on Still Loving on Dad? by Brandi Fought

Brandi Fought — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:44:18 +0000

My husband, Brandon, is the best dad!

When we adopted two children with special needs in the span of six months, we were new and scared. He tackled parenting with ease. He is gentle, kind, and encouraging.

In contrast to my scheduled and routine days, daddy comes home after work, and our children know what time it is.

Even before walking in the door, both of my children hear the truck pulling up and giggles ensues in our home. Brandon wastes no time. He colors with them. He paints with them. He understands their needs, and continues to be as involved as possible with their day to day therapies.

Two weeks ago we decided to build a fort. Brandon took charge and turned our living room into an awesome fort. All the blankets and pillows in the entire house were now in our living room, but inside our magic fort time stood still. Cell phones were turned off. S mores were cooked. A family movie was put on, and we played. We crawled and discovered well past bedtime.

Scenes like this are common at our house. Brandon takes a more laid back approach to parenting our children. With Matthew, who is two and medically fragile, Brandon doesn’t see that. He sees his son. The boys are constantly outside working on the “race car.”
With Autumn, who is two and paraplegic, Brandon doesn’t see a wheelchair. He sees a boat, or a horse, or a plane. Whatever the day calls for, he turns our ordinary into extraordinary.

Comment on Featured Parent – Angela by Beth Schubert

Beth Schubert — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:02:34 +0000

You are an inspiration. I am so glad to call you friend. You are such an amazing mentor to so many. We are lucky to have you.

Comment on Military Families and Autism – A Request by Jessica Thibado

Jessica Thibado — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:13:41 +0000

A year and a half ago, we were relocated from Virginia to California, as my husband is in the Navy. My daughter at the time was not diagnosed, but we already knew that she had autism as well as sensory processing disorder. As we prepared to move across country, driving nonetheless, I had to go completely prepared with a complete schedule. We were only able to drive for about 6 hours a day, so it took us 10 days, instead of the usual 3 to 3 1/2 days. What we did was drive for 2 days and then stop one day and do something exciting. We would also, always tell her we were going to a hotel, and she could go swimming; which she loves to do. Then when we eventually got to base, and lived in a transitional home on base, we still advised her that we were at a hotel house, and not home yet. When we finally got our permanent place 6 months later, we told her we were home, but even then she asked for another 6 months if we were home. I think the only thing with moving all the time, is keeping their days you travel as consistent as you can, giving them a schedule if they are old enough, but also telling them that you are on an adventure. We would also, tell our daughter when we get to a certain place we were going to see this or that, so she had something to look forward to. Now that we are in California and will be moving next year, we are at least close enough now, where we can drive to our possible next duty station to get her prepared with the new area we will be living. I would definitely recommend going a few times to the new duty station if it is withing driving distance, to help your child get acquainted with the new area.

Comment on Military Families and Autism – A Request by Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 18 May 2011 20:56:53 +0000

My youngest son has classic austim and my husband is in the airforce. We have moved alot over the years but have now been Q-coded and cannot be move unless the schools and medical care are available for Jacob. There are alot of little ins and outs to dealing with being a sevice family and having a child with a disablity of any sort. There are also some programs that are not well advertived for our families even your on base pcm might not know about.
First there is the eco program. This is an extra insurce that covers your childs needs if they qualify were you are charged on a sliding scale a small fee based on the sevice memebrs rank ( ours is $35s a month for a Staff STG). This covers repite care, equitment you may need, therapy, it even covers if you need a fence to keep your child from wandering.
Then there is the suport group call S.T.O.M.P.. STOMP helps you learn the ins and outs tricare, how to read an IEP and provites suport form people who have been in your shoes.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and if the first people you speak to don’t ethier know or won’t help keep asking. Call the schools before you get to your next duty station if they don’t have the programs your child needs go see if your orders can’t be changed. It’s alwful to get sent to a new bases and have to turn around and leave because they do not have the basics of what your child needs. This doesn’t just happen with overseas bases ethier some US bases are an hour or more away from even a normal school with out a speical edutaction class. Sometimes we have to put our kids frist no matter who gets their pants in a wad over it.