LIVING OUT LOUD FOR A MOMENT....
While messaging with a friend last month, I came to the realization that God is not bringing us through the journeys of our lives for us to remain silent. Many times, our life lessons and the truths we discover hold the very answers that someone has been desperately searching for as well. We need each other! Even the dark places in our lives can help to shine some light on someone else's path if we'll allow it.
Our son, Caleb, was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, which is a higher functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder....he has also been diagnosed with a cognitive developmental disorder, learning disabilities, mixed receptive and expressive vocabulary disorder and attention deficit disorder. These diagnoses came on the heels of several years of unsuccessfully trying to homeschool and both of us living in a cycle of frustration and failure. This left my husband feeling helpless as well because he would come home to deal with meltdowns from both of us! Although the smorgasbord of diagnoses seemed daunting and overwhelming, we had a feeling of hope for the first time. Hope because we knew that if there was a name for it, someone, somewhere has to have the answers. What I didn't realize is that the answers would not come easy.
One answer is not going to unlock the door to the potential that these kids hold. What might work for one, might not work for another. However, I do know that if God is bringing us through this to "live out loud" and share His goodness and grace with others, that's just what we will do. I'm not intimidated by the labels or by what people might think and am getting better at tuning out the stares and whispers. This isn't Caleb's lonely journey nor is it mine. We are walking this together and we are walking it with everyone who has come alongside to offer therapy, encouragement, hope, answers, prayer and advice.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." (Lao Tzu). We are only on mile marker 162, with many more to go. If you ever want to know what treatments we are using with Caleb, please ask. I'm an open book and am happy to share what has worked and what hasn't. Many things are working but there's much that hasn't. I'm continuing to learn and discover new things every day and look forward to sharing those things as well. Not for my glory, not to show off all the wonderful things that Caleb does or learns but to say "LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE.". it is only by His grace and for His glory that we have come as far as we have and by the same that we will continue to see progress. Love you all.
Every. Child. Is. Unique.
Beautifully handcrafted and created by God
ON purpose, WITH purpose and FOR a purpose. 
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