Two weeks ago, we added two "A" words to our lists of diagnosis' for Ella:
ADHD
&
AUTISM
While the doctor was symptathizing and giving me tools to cope and greive, I was rejoicing because of the fact that we had a reason for our exhaustion! Calvin and I weren't crazy after-all (or bad parents).
All of the paint-chip eating, poop smearing, diaper wearing, spinning, flapping, night terrors, screaming at peers, sensitivity to touch, inability to sit at dinner, need of routine at bedtime, inability to express emotion verbally, obsessing over certain objects and their mechanics, constant movement and inability to focus or listen to instructions had an explanation, finally!
For many families, receiving the Autism diagnosis is such a devestating blow, but for whatever reason, to us, it was a relief. We understand that there is the possibility that Ella will never live on her own, will never drive, or even function in a "socially acceptable" manner, but we are still just rejoicing with the fact that she has life!
For a child that was given zero chances of survival outside the womb, we think she's doing pretty good!
There are so many little blessings that have come because Ella has Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder (and ADHD). Part of having these diagnosis' means that her senses work "incorrectly" or transmit information as either too severe or mild, but in some cases this is a blessing. For instance, Ella has an amazing sense of smell. Each night around dinner time, Ella can be seen tip toeing through the house with nose straight in the air while taking little gasps and sniffs as she follows her nose to that night's dinner. Other times, after munching on a skittle or m&m, Ella's been known to grab the muncher by the cheeks or ears to force their mouth into a spot right in front of her nose so that she can get a better wiff to smell what it is that you have been eating. 99% of the time, her guesses are acurate! Just the other night, we had some friends over that we only see about once a year and while everyone was washing their hands in the bathroom before our meal, the dad knelt down to say hi to Ella and before he had a second to even process what was happening, Ella had grabbed his head and placed her nose just in front of his mouth (which had gum in it) and sniff sniff sniffed and then said, "Ww ww wwhaaaaat yooooou eatin?!"
Another of Ella's senses that is heightened is her sense of hearing. You can NOT sneak through the house without Ella hearing you! Once, while walking up to my parent's house, Ella grabbed my arm and yanked me down so that she could whisper in my ear while her eyes were open just about as far as they'd go without popping right out of the sockets and said, "Mama! What's dat dink dink dink sound?" She was on edge like something was about ready to fall on her, but I could not figure out what in the world she was hearing that had her so uneasy! As I knelt, I quieted myself and listened as intently as I could. Then, a very slight sound caught my ear. It was the "plink plink plink" sound of water as it dripped from my parent's roof to the rock-bed below which was about 10 feet away from us. Once I pin-pointed the sound, I said, "Ella, it's the water dripping from the roof!" To which she simply replied, "Oh, haha, dat's funny!" and then she entered the house with no qualms.
Other noises send Ella into high alert or even into an all-out melt-down of screaming, kicking and hysterics. Her world is incredibly invasive and constantly unsure for our little sweetie and yet she faces it with such a sense of adventure and belief that God is her Savior! While we were meeting with her doctor that gave the Autism diagnosis, he asked who her hip surgeon was and my mind went blank. I was embarrassed because this woman has become like part of the family, but my brain just wasn't bringing her name up, so I asked Ella, "Who fixed your hips?" To which she responded candidly and with an honest nonchalance, "God". I chuckled and said, "Yes, Ella, God did heal your hips, but can you remember who the doctor was?" to which she replied, "Yes, God did." I guess God made His point loud and clear through my little four-year-old!
Even in every-day situations where Ella's behaviors might initially make someone aware of the fact that she isn't quite the same as other kids her age and be seen as awkward or rude, we have a tremendous opportunity to share her story and about God's amazing power and grace in her life. She will never live a "normal" life, but which of us when we were little said, "Man, I just want to live a normal life!?" All of her life, Ella has lived extraordinarily. And this just lets us know, the ride isn't over yet. God still has more to do. More miracles, more lives to touch and more blessings to give. It's not our job to worry. It's our job to trust. Trust and not doubt. Trust and not control. Trust.
What a mighty and good God we serve!
We can never "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18), but it is real and it is good!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
"Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done." Matthew 21:21
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
While Ella waves her hands in the air with a jubilant celebratory smile and proclaims, "I'm a sensory kid!" I can't help but count my blessings and thank Jesus for giving me this priceless treasure!
ADHD
&
AUTISM
While the doctor was symptathizing and giving me tools to cope and greive, I was rejoicing because of the fact that we had a reason for our exhaustion! Calvin and I weren't crazy after-all (or bad parents).
All of the paint-chip eating, poop smearing, diaper wearing, spinning, flapping, night terrors, screaming at peers, sensitivity to touch, inability to sit at dinner, need of routine at bedtime, inability to express emotion verbally, obsessing over certain objects and their mechanics, constant movement and inability to focus or listen to instructions had an explanation, finally!
For many families, receiving the Autism diagnosis is such a devestating blow, but for whatever reason, to us, it was a relief. We understand that there is the possibility that Ella will never live on her own, will never drive, or even function in a "socially acceptable" manner, but we are still just rejoicing with the fact that she has life!
For a child that was given zero chances of survival outside the womb, we think she's doing pretty good!
There are so many little blessings that have come because Ella has Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder (and ADHD). Part of having these diagnosis' means that her senses work "incorrectly" or transmit information as either too severe or mild, but in some cases this is a blessing. For instance, Ella has an amazing sense of smell. Each night around dinner time, Ella can be seen tip toeing through the house with nose straight in the air while taking little gasps and sniffs as she follows her nose to that night's dinner. Other times, after munching on a skittle or m&m, Ella's been known to grab the muncher by the cheeks or ears to force their mouth into a spot right in front of her nose so that she can get a better wiff to smell what it is that you have been eating. 99% of the time, her guesses are acurate! Just the other night, we had some friends over that we only see about once a year and while everyone was washing their hands in the bathroom before our meal, the dad knelt down to say hi to Ella and before he had a second to even process what was happening, Ella had grabbed his head and placed her nose just in front of his mouth (which had gum in it) and sniff sniff sniffed and then said, "Ww ww wwhaaaaat yooooou eatin?!"
Another of Ella's senses that is heightened is her sense of hearing. You can NOT sneak through the house without Ella hearing you! Once, while walking up to my parent's house, Ella grabbed my arm and yanked me down so that she could whisper in my ear while her eyes were open just about as far as they'd go without popping right out of the sockets and said, "Mama! What's dat dink dink dink sound?" She was on edge like something was about ready to fall on her, but I could not figure out what in the world she was hearing that had her so uneasy! As I knelt, I quieted myself and listened as intently as I could. Then, a very slight sound caught my ear. It was the "plink plink plink" sound of water as it dripped from my parent's roof to the rock-bed below which was about 10 feet away from us. Once I pin-pointed the sound, I said, "Ella, it's the water dripping from the roof!" To which she simply replied, "Oh, haha, dat's funny!" and then she entered the house with no qualms.
Other noises send Ella into high alert or even into an all-out melt-down of screaming, kicking and hysterics. Her world is incredibly invasive and constantly unsure for our little sweetie and yet she faces it with such a sense of adventure and belief that God is her Savior! While we were meeting with her doctor that gave the Autism diagnosis, he asked who her hip surgeon was and my mind went blank. I was embarrassed because this woman has become like part of the family, but my brain just wasn't bringing her name up, so I asked Ella, "Who fixed your hips?" To which she responded candidly and with an honest nonchalance, "God". I chuckled and said, "Yes, Ella, God did heal your hips, but can you remember who the doctor was?" to which she replied, "Yes, God did." I guess God made His point loud and clear through my little four-year-old!Even in every-day situations where Ella's behaviors might initially make someone aware of the fact that she isn't quite the same as other kids her age and be seen as awkward or rude, we have a tremendous opportunity to share her story and about God's amazing power and grace in her life. She will never live a "normal" life, but which of us when we were little said, "Man, I just want to live a normal life!?" All of her life, Ella has lived extraordinarily. And this just lets us know, the ride isn't over yet. God still has more to do. More miracles, more lives to touch and more blessings to give. It's not our job to worry. It's our job to trust. Trust and not doubt. Trust and not control. Trust.
What a mighty and good God we serve!
We can never "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18), but it is real and it is good!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
"Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done." Matthew 21:21
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
While Ella waves her hands in the air with a jubilant celebratory smile and proclaims, "I'm a sensory kid!" I can't help but count my blessings and thank Jesus for giving me this priceless treasure!
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