Manic Monday

Monday was a beautiful cool day. Not too hot nor too cold, so when we
go to the zoo right at opening time we thought we would have a nice
day. It took us a couple minutes to figure out where we were going to
go first. At home we had found where the Lorikeets and African Safari
on the map online so we figured we would go there because we hadn't
made it up there. Afterall it was only our third trip and they aren't
connected to the rest of the zoo really. The birds were beautiful, but
boy were they LOUD. Benji wasn't interested in them rather the ducks
that had made a home in the pond. He didn't stay but maybe five
minutes because of the noise. Mom didn't realize just how bad it
bothered him either.
From there we went on to the Elephant Savannah and saw the monstrous
pachyderms. On the way we saw some swine that looked like Pumba from
Lion King. Benji enjoyed walking the terrain watching the "footprints"
that were left in the trial. It was quiet other than the "mood music"
that was playing. No other people were around up in that area too...
Benji did get excited once he saw the Giraffes, "they big".
That part of our adventure was probably the best. When we came out of
the Savannah he wanted to go see the Lorikeets again and we did. He
was fine until they got stirred up again and started all the
squawking. They were just being bird but it even hurt mom's ears.
So then it was on to the Unseen World. Benji's favorite place in the
zoo because he gets to see snakes and turtles and frogs and whatever
else they have in there. Plus on days that the zoo isn't over run by
school field trips it's quiet and relaxing. Monday was not one of
those days. It was so LOUD and so crowded, Benji didn't know what to
do. So mom tried her best to keep him protected. For the most part
everything worked out fine. He was just very over stimulated. So, we
went walking on the animal trial and hoped to be able to not get ran
over by the groups. It didn't work.By the time we got to the Saimang,
Benji was asking for a nap. WE sat on the bench watching the black
Gibbon for about ten minutes until she started singing. It was too
much for Boo and we decided to go ahead and leave. He had to go to OT
anyway.

Got to the Expedition and loaded in. Benji got some more drink and a
snack and was asleep before we got out of the zoo grounds. He slept
hard all the way into Vanderbilt/Bill Wilkerson and even after we
checked in. We were early but that was okay. He stayed tired though.
He did however work with the therapist mostly.

The one thing I haven't mentioned is that Benji has been very
congested with a deep cough since Thursday and yesterday he wasn't
really wanting to eat. By the time OT was over his cough was sounding
like he was wheezing which being the brother to an asthmatic we know
that if he doesn't clear the bronchial tubes when he coughs it can
sound like a wheeze. So we got him to the doctor. His regular doctor
couldn't see him so he saw the other one. She said there was no
infection and his lungs were clear. She prescribed Nasonex for him.
(Not sure about getting it though... I think saline drops would be
better.)

After the doctor visit we headed towards home. As we got close to
Arby's (we were planning on grabbing a bite) the Expedition decided it
didn't want to go over 35. Went ahead and ate at Arby's.... praying
that all was well and that just stopping for a bit would fix it.

It didn't... got about a mile from Arby's and ended up on the side of
the road. Nana and Papa came and rescued us, but we had to wait 2 1/2
hours for the tow truck to get there. Once he got there, he said he
would take it to Ford for us and get that taken care of. We thanked
him and headed to Nana's. Benji had slept from the time the truck
stopped until the tow truck got there. Sleeping seemed to have reset
his senses and calmed him down but he wasn't sleepy anymore.

Once Benji got home he was very happy to be home and very active but
not in a bad way.

So all in all we had a Manic Monday but it wasn't too terrible. And
just got the call from the dealer. The Expedition is fixed. Seems the
clip that connects the engine to the transmission on the wiring
harness dry rotted and broke. It was an apparently easy fix and while
it cost money it wasn't no where as bad as it could have been. We
Praise God for keeping us safe and for providing the means to get it
fixed.

Just A Swingin

Benji taking a swing after having a rough day of visiting the zoo and his OT session at Bill Wilkerson. At first thought the zoo was too much but since he was tired his sensory stuff showed up.

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Media Awareness for CHD ( Congenital Heart Defects ) - Online Petition

Media Awareness for CHD ( Congenital Heart Defects ) - Online Petition

New Grants Available for Families Struggling with Child Health-Related Expenses

* UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation accepting applicants for 2008 grant program
* Families can apply for assistance grants online at www.uhccf.org

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF) announced that new grants are available to help children who need critical health care treatment, services or equipment not covered or not fully covered by their parents' health benefit plans.

UHCCF provides grants to families to help pay for child health care services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy sessions, prescriptions, and medical equipment such as wheelchairs, orthotics and eyeglasses.

Parents and legal guardians may apply for grants of up to $5,000 for child medical services and equipment by completing an online application at www.uhccf.org. Tax-deductible donations can also be made online.

To be eligible for grants, children must be 16 years of age or younger. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States and be covered by a commercial health benefit plan.

"We are taking action to improve access to health care in America and are dedicated to helping more children and families this year and beyond," said Matt Peterson, UHCCF president. "We encourage families who need assistance paying for their child's medical needs to visit the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Web site and apply today."

"My son Bryson was born with Down syndrome and a heart defect, which would require open heart surgery," said Jane Baker. "With the stress of knowing that our precious son was going to need major surgery, along came the worry of medical bills. Our caseworker told us about the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation. We were given a generous grant to help with our medical expenses. What a blessing UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation has been for us. I am so thankful that there are people out there willing to help and give in times of need."

The foundation aims to help more children by increasing awareness of the foundation through fund-raising events, partnerships, newspaper and Web advertising, and a revamped multimedia Web site, www.uhccf.org.

About UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation

The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that strives to enhance either the clinical condition or quality of life of children who have health care needs not fully covered by commercial health insurance. The Foundation provides grants of up to $5,000 for costs associated with medical services and equipment. Foundation funding is provided by contributions from employees of UnitedHealth Group as well as individuals and corporations. While UHCCF receives contributions from UnitedHealth Group and its employees, individual and corporate donations to help provide assistance are deeply appreciated. To donate or learn more, please visit www.uhccf.org.

Just enjoying the day

Benji and Micah enjoying the day while mom and dad are working hard.... The circle of dirt is where our pool will sit once we have it cleaned and ready to go. I am so glad the Intex Pools are easy to deal with. During the summer they are a lifesaver with the kids. Especially with the gas prices as high as they are.

Benji loves the pool too and we think he will be able to touch the bottom this year as he almost was last fall when we took it down.

We hope to get it up this week and then with the solar cover on it it should be good and warm before to much longer. :-)


Have a good day.

World Autism Day

CNN airing autism content throughout World Autism Day

On World Autism Day, doctors and parents of children with autism join Jenny McCarthy on CNN's Larry King Live on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 9 p.m. ET. For more information, please visit www.cnn.com/larryking.

Juan Carlos Brandt, director of public information for the United Nations and father to a 3-year-old son with autism, will also be speaking on CNN International at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

World Autism Awareness Day

Good Afternoon. I find today an interesting day. When I picked up Benji from preschool I was informed he didn't get his treat today because he outright refused to leave the center he was at and come to carpet time. He understood that his teacher was asking him to leave the toys, he shook his head no and kept playing.

This is typical of Benji when he gets focused on something. The teacher didn't tell me that he went kicking and screaming or that they just let him play. I am not sure as to what they did to get him from the toys. I know at home we have to distract and put the toy away. And I also know at home if it's his Cars stuff we are in a heap load of trouble because he will throw a tantrum like you wouldn't believe.

The other thing his teacher pointed out was that Benji was twirling hair and sucking his thumb alot today. I acknowledged it and informed her that he does that either when he is tired or when he is getting overstimulated. She made note of it. I did let her know that as long as he isn't rocking he shouldn't go into a meltdown.

I am praying against the words that pop up in my mind from Benji's assessment in November when the doctor told us that preschool would either bring the autism to surface or dispel it. He is getting more sensitive. He's getting harder to calm down. And all I know to do is just pray and hold him if he will let me. Alot of times he doesn't want me to hold him when he gets agitated. He's mumbling again too..

I just pray that Benji will grow and become a strong and intelligent young man that loves the Lord. What ever trials come, whether it is with his heart or with the delays, God will provide the means.