Our Youngest Son Who Has #Autism Is Now Eleven Years Old!

Nathan is eleven years old and enjoying his summer. It is difficult to believe that so much time has gone by since he was born. It was 11 years ago yesterday that our youngest son, Nathan, came into our lives, and earlier than we expected! Between the numerous Braxton Hicks trips to the hospital (which we didn't want to ignore, especially with me being older), then the doctor actually having to administer Brethine to keep me from going into labor too early and having an amniocentesis four days earlier, we still weren't prepared for what lay ahead. Everything to do with my fourth pregnancy was different from the first three times. Our journey started out a little rough, escalated way beyond our imagination but, we are so glad to have been blessed by having him in our lives! 

It has been an experience that has actually made us better parents and has given other family members the chance to see a glimpse into the lives of a special needs family. Nathan is considered to have high functioning autism "HFA" but, when he was diagnosed with autism, they actually told us to look up Asperger's Syndrome. Nathan was very intelligent for being almost five years old but, he was challenged socially and behaviorally. Without even knowing it, they were asking us to "Think Differently" about our son's situation. I am thankful to have the support of family, friends and the community connections in which I have made over the years since Nathan's diagnosis. It makes a BIG difference when you realize that YOU are not alone!

The #Autism "Camp C.A.N.O.E" @CampFireHOK is Almost Here!!

You might be asking what Camp C.A.N.O.E. is? It's the NEW Autism Camp that was started in 2012 by Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma at Camp DaKaNi. What makes me proud as a parent, and to be involved as a camp counselor during this wonderful day camp, is that Camp C.A.N.O.E. actually stands for "Children with Autism Need Outdoor Experiences"! What I love most is that Camp C.A.N.O.E. offers each of these children the chance to improve fine and gross motor skills, to increase their confidence, self-reliance, to help them to work with others as a team, to solve problems, to strengthen independent thinking, communication and social skills as they make friends...every parent's dream, or at least mine!!

The staff of Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma at Camp DaKaNi have been preparing all year for the 2014 Camp C.A.N.O.E. This will be my third year to work as a camp counselor during Camp C.A.N.O.E. and along side many other awesome volunteers. We will enjoy exploring the thirty-three acres of Camp DaKaNi while learning or perfecting skills such as the zip line, archery, rock climbing, canoeing and fishing. We can't wait until Camp C.A.N.O.E. 2014!! If YOU have a child that might enjoy getting out of the house each day for a FUN-filled week, you will want to check this out before registration closes!

We are always looking for individuals, and companies that will allow their employees, to volunteer during Camp C.A.N.O.E. each year. If YOU are interested in volunteering, or know someone who might want to, please contact Penn Henthorn, the Camp Director, either by calling him at (405)254-2080 or by emailing Penn@campfireusa-ok.org for more information. 

You can follow me @MissMaryMackOKC and Camp DaKaNi @CampFireHOK for updates. I look forward to hearing from anyone that wants to give me a shout!

There's Nothing Like Having a Recent "Flash Back To The Eighties" Experience Through a Summer #Autism Camp That Nathan Attended

Last week, Nathan aka "Nate" attended the most AWESOME Camp Noggin, while I worked as a Camp Counselor and Vincent was a Peer Mentor to the campers. We were all extremely happy to be back at Youth & Family Services in El Reno, especially since we had been displaced last year with the tornadoes that swept across Oklahoma. The children were excited to play on the new playground and see their friends from the year before. Everyone had been anticipating the annual Autism Camp Noggin for several months and none of us were disappointed with the wait!

The above is a snippet of Nate singing "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Freddie Mercury of Queen at Camp Noggin last week. He did a fantastic job learning the music tempo and the lyrics. We are so proud of him and our family is very thankful for activies like Camp Noggin so that children with Autism, like Nate, are able to have this wonderful experience!! 

Each child was given a chance to pose for pictures before the talent show and the awards ceremony. These are my guys, of course! They let their hair grow out so that they would have longer hair for the eighties rock theme of our camp. After the talent show and awards ceremony, we stopped to get them each a haircut on the way home. With shorter hair, they were able to enjoy the waterslide on the last day and not have the long hair in their eyes. It was an absolutely amazing week! My family is still reminiscing and can't wait until next year!!

Please Join Our #SpecialNeeds Family in Celebrating Our Sons' Most Recent Accomplishments in Academics and Leadership!

Most of my posts usually focus on my youngest son's challenges and hallelujahs because of his Autism. Today, it gives me great pleasure to be able to share something that his older brother has been awarded. As a sixth grader, Vincent has been a member of the Robotics Team and TSA at his middle school this past year. Yesterday morning, he was recognized as an Outstanding Member of the 2013-14 Robotics and TSA Team during his 6th grade Awards Assembly. This is quite an accomplishment which he undoubtedly deserves!

I'm also excited to bring you an update on something Nathan has been working towards for several years. The Music Teacher has initiated a competitive Music program where the student who has accumulated the most points during the academic year for the Highest Grade in Music and Exceptional Behavior is recognized by being awarded the Music Trophy. He almost had it last year. This last Wednesday, Nathan was chosen to receive the highly-coveted Music Trophy out of all of the third, fourth and fifth grade students at his elementary school! 

Have YOU Had The Opportunity To Read My Annual #Autism Contribution To The @OurParentingSpot Community?

Do you believe school should be a safe space for children to learn and socialize with their peers? What would you do if you discovered that school is not a safe space for your autistic child? Take time to read my annual contribution to the Our Parenting Spot online community, be sure to read and share "Autism and Bullying" with everyone you know who might benefit from the information. 

Chosen to Represent Oklahoma in #Education and #Autism Advocacy as a VIP Member of the CWW Executive & Professional Registry

I'm excited to announce, that it's official. I will be featured in the upcoming second edition of CWW's 'Leaders Across America' virtual magazine due out spring/summer 2014. To read more, please read the Press Release that they issued on Friday, May 16, 2014.

#Autism Moms Need "Me Time" Just Like Everyone Else Does!

I know, it has been quite awhile since I have posted! Between taking care of the family, working full-time and recently returning to college, I have been pushing the term "multi-tasking" to the limits!! I'm in my last week of my first semester back to college in twenty-five years and my last several assignments are due in less than seventy-two hours. Even though I am exhausted, I am excited to report that I am currently carrying an "A" 91.67 in my English Comp II course! 

Today, millions of American mothers celebrated Mother's Day, many of which are mothers, like myself, who have been blessed by children with #Autism. Each of us has a physical, and emotional, limit of what we can handle. Just like anyone else, we need the time to re-energize from the challenges thrown at us, in the course of our daily lives. It is important to have the support of family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers especially when it comes to scheduling the "me time" needed to maintain or, in most cases, to replenish the charge of our personal battery. 

If YOU know a mother, or a caregiver, of a child with #Autism, please offer your support to them. Ask her what you can do to help her. Whether it is by watching the child and making it possible for her to have the opportunity to do something for herself, or by simply connecting her with the resources to assist her in accomplishing something in her daily routine which might not have been possible otherwise, it is an extremely gratifying feeling to be able to "make a difference" in someone's life! Please take a few moments to #share this with someone and raise awareness for #Autism in your local community. You never know when you will come in contact with an individual who needs a "hand up"...and being able to contribute towards their success will be something that they will remember for a long time!