Autism, It's Real, Willie@4EverLeave a comment

Willie is 21! Wow!

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Willie turned 21 today, and I must make a note of it. Yes! My grandson has hit the age of young men thinking of leaving home if they haven’t already. Many are working or in college. They’re dating, and some are considering marriage and children. Willie is into hygiene. Do my breath stink? Do I stink? He knows when he needs a haircut. He is also reading. He doesn’t play video games. He watches them being played. We celebrated his birthday on Saturday, and then he spent the weekend with his dad at a hotel where he would have had … Continue reading Willie is 21! Wow!

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Willie@4Ever! 19 Years Strong!

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Today is Willie’s 19th. Birthday. His mom, his dad, a friend, and myself will wear t-shirts representing autism. I believe Willie has an autism shirt stating that he is the birthday boy. Willie is not a boy. He is a young adult who will probably never live on his own. I can’t imagine the fear this causes his mom. The thought of what will happen to him if anything happens to her. I have not cared for Willie since the day he charged at me and knocked me down. His oldest sister is his caregiver when his mom works. But … Continue reading Willie@4Ever! 19 Years Strong!

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Willie is Back in School!

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Willie has returned to school after over a year. It’s a real school, unlike the program he was attending for 2 hours a day, which had 40 minutes of travel time. I have prayed and hoped for him to return to the stability of school. I recently saw Willie and asked him if he likes the school and the teachers, and he answered, “Yes.” His mom sent me pictures of his morning routine. Continue reading Willie is Back in School!

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Willie is Eighteen!

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Willie turned 18 a few weeks ago. This has been quite the journey, a ride of many twists, turns, and crashes. His mother gave him a sort of party. Just a few people, mostly family and a couple of mom’s friends. The venue, though, was the thing. Willie’s eighteenth birthday was at a motorcycle club. Willie’s niece and nephew always have an open invitation to his birthday events. Willie did very well, but after the food, he called it a day. Continue reading Willie is Eighteen!

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Another Year: 2023

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Just because a new year has begun, a new post is warranted. I spent Christmas watching the news about Buffalo New York while stranded at my sister’s house in Niagara Falls, New York. I live in Buffalo, but I left Thursday the 22nd to spend Christmas with family. My son had arrived from Florida the day before, after spending the night at a Florida airport. There was supposed to be a huge gathering with families from Buffalo, the Falls, and surrounding areas. The blizzard moved in around noon. My daughter was caught at work at the state hospital, and my … Continue reading Another Year: 2023

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Willie@4Ever!

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I saw Willie last night, and there was agitation. Mom needed to use the blender, and Willie was instructed to stay nearby. He, his mom and I were in the kitchen. Kitchens are triggers for Willie. He looks for stuff that sets him off. He asks to “borrow” food. The food is never anything he likes. I don’t understand the purpose of this. Sometimes, though, if it’s in a glass container, it may be something he wants to smash. So, mom has Willie sit. In a chair, on the floor. Just sit. When I get enough notice of a Willie … Continue reading Willie@4Ever!

Autism, Heroes, It's Real, Little WillLeave a comment

Exclusion!

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This is what Willie has experienced over the past few years. It started with holiday celebrations. Willie has been suspended during Easter, Father’s Day, and Mother’s Day. He has known about these holidays and anticipated returning to school and making crafts or coloring eggs with us, trying to explain that these activities would be over when he returned. He always insists that they will be there for him when he returns. He has been excluded from field trips for years, never having a chance to show if he’d be good during the outings. The last exclusion was his prom, with … Continue reading Exclusion!

Autism, Heroes, Little Will, Willie@4EverLeave a comment

Willie Ostracized Again!

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Willie has once again been sent home from school. In special needs schools, students receive shorter breaks. Two-week school breaks are divided because transitioning back into school is disruptive to the routine of special needs children. I know it is for Willie and now his school sent him home on June 7th. 2022 and asked that he remain home until September 2022. The school’s action has been deemed illegal. Willie has been suspended an average of 5 times a year and he is unable to communicate what is triggering his outbursts in school, which always spill over to his time … Continue reading Willie Ostracized Again!