Dewey Disney Vacation

During our five nights at Disneyworld we experienced magical moments to treasure forever. It was especially magical to share the experience with our young children. We are fortunate Disney recognizes autism as a condition that qualifies to receive a Guest Assistance Card. We were able to use secondary entrances, access special seating for shows and were shuffled to the front of the line for character greetings.

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The Deweychildren did present some challenges. The most interesting was an altercation on a packed Disney Transportation Bus on the way back to our resort from Hollywood Studios. It was the first time I entered a bus with Mae in my arms and no one offered us a seat. Instantly, Mae threw a fit and lunged for a lap and kicked Sam in the process. Sam grabbed her leg, pulled it and scolded her for kicking him. Mae moved into full meltdown mode. I held her close and sang to her. My plan was to shut out stimulation overload and have her focus on my voice. I heard the woman next to me say, "Guys, settle down. There are children on the bus." I thought, "Oh, it'll be ok. Dave is up there, he has experience diffusing hot situations." When I looked up I saw Dave was part of the hot situation.

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When Mae started melting down some punk said, "Someone better shut that kid up before I beat her."

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"What did you say?"

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"Someone better shut that kid up before I beat her."

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"Are you threatening to beat my four-year-old autistic daughter?"

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"Sorry man! I didn't know, I'm really sorry."

He Knows Important Details

This afternoon one of Sam's teachers tried catching up with me after I dropped off Mae. When she missed me in Mae's classroom she went into Sam's kindergarten class. She asked him, "Sam what kind of car does your mother drive?" Sam's reply, "She doesn't have a car. She only has a van with Kid Rock on it."

Miss Him

Our screensaver rotates through our picture album. Recently, I caught the last second of this image before it changed to another. Everything stopped and I said aloud, "I want more." Immediately I sat and changed this to our wallpaper. Sometimes I think I would give anything to wrap my arms around that barrel chest and smell his old-dog-smell again.

Classic

Here she is moments before the four-foot-long pink balloon popped.

Today Was Mae's Day

Three Princesses

Today we celebrated Mae's Birthday all afternoon. Uncle Buster, Sharon and cousin Jake came up from NH to join our first party of the afternoon. We booked space at a Bouncy House facility for Mae and her classmates. It was great seeing pigtails fly, big smiles and Mae play with her friends. I was thrilled when a couple who share a close connection with Mae showed up unexpectedly.

Our next celebration was with Mae's grown-up friends. Uncle Buster, Sharon and Jake made the transition smooth. I'm not used to having so many helping hands. Most everyone at Mae's birthday dinner party had been part of her baby welcoming ceremony. Dave observed that by the end of the evening she made a deliberate connection with everyone here.

Today was Mae's day.

It's Complicated

This morning I caught the last hour of an HBO documentary called "Autism:The Musical". The movie documents a group of autistic children as they write, rehearse and perform their own musical. The documentary includes interviews with parents. Watching it shook me up.

She's three now. People notice there is something different about her, but she's so little it isn't awkward yet. How will it be when she's fourteen? I'm also scared about her being vulnerable when she becomes independent. Predators choose easy victims.

Alongside my fears, I received awareness. She'll be four in 11 days. Inside her is a developing four-year-old brain. I believe she receives information like a four-year-old. She wants things a four-year-old wants. Tonight we went to a family dance at her school. She watched as everyone played a Simon Says type of game. I explained the rules to her and told her she could play if she wanted to. My heart swelled when she did.

Just Look At Her

There are days she needs to do things a certain way and it's a royal pain trying to figure her out. Thankfully we know about her autism. Now we celebrate her becoming a four-year-old girl, whatever challenges that may bring for us.