Support Josiah

We Survived!

It started snowing this past Friday. I think we got about 8-9 inches. I know, to our Northern friends, this seems like so little. But North Carolina doesn't typically get the nice powdery stuff. Our snows most often involve ice and a lot of it. Our drivers are not experienced, our roads are not as prepared, and our vehicles are ill equipped to make driving safe. 

But Josiah has to ride. And Autism never pauses. 

Lest you are bracing yourself for a super negative post, let me start with the positive: my parents. Jeremy and I often talk about how gracious God was in allowing us to grow our family while living so close to my Dad and Mama. They worked together to manage Josiah most of the day on Saturday and for several hours on Sunday. Those "breaks" from the constant care that Josiah requires are a gift that very few people are equipped to give us. I am so thankful for them. On the days where I am at my lowest, they are typically the blessing God first brings to mind when He pricks my heart to start viewing my glass as half full. (Thank-you Dad and Mama for being so selfless!)

Saturday morning, the boys enjoyed some time outside with Jeremy. Olivia and I kept Josiah inside. It was a struggle, because he really wanted to go outside too. But winter clothing is not sensory friendly. He cannot tolerate a coat, and he often can't even tolerate wearing long sleeves. It was just too cold for him to go out. Papa and Meemaw picked him up, and he had a good visit with them with just a couple of significant self-injurious episodes and a handful of minor ones. 

Josiah loves his family, but his hearing is so sensitive. We can have everyone closed up in the back of the house with a loud exhaust fan running, and the small amount of noise coming from the back is still overwhelming. And so we take van rides. 

By Sunday, he was determined to ride his "normal" amount. Jeremy dug my van out and took Josiah for his first ride not long after he woke. He tested the roads and gave me directions for where to drive and where not to. We rode until my parents picked him up after church. 

Our kids were dying to go sledding. And I was determined to make it happen. I wish my attempt at grasping for normalcy had gone better. We made it to the sledding location. I had not realized how far we would have to walk to get there. Olivia, Jack, and Judah were fine. But Jalen wouldn't stop wandering away and eating snow. And the boots that Jason was wearing were four sizes too big which made it impossible for him to walk. We lasted about ten minutes before I started getting very concerned about what would happen if Jalen had a seizure out there. We laid Jalen on one of the sleds, and we laid Jason on top of him while admonishing Jalen to hold on to his baby. I quickly pulled them back to the van, and we all agreed heading home would be wise. It makes me sad to see my children surrender to our "normal." I know God has a plan in it, but it doesn't change the fact that it is hard.

My Dad knew that sledding had gone terribly. So he called Monday to let me know he would be taking the kids sledding with two of their cousins that afternoon. I am so thankful again for parents that are always looking to meet our "needs." We long to be able to provide for our children in every way. But our reality is that it takes help. We are so very thankful for that help!

How does this all relate to this project? I couldn't help but allow myself to dream about what next year's snow might be like. If God is pleased to bring all of our fundraising goals to fruition, Josiah will have his therapy room to escape to when he needs quiet. He will have his pool to enjoy even when there is snow and ice blanketing the ground. He may still need to ride occasionally,  but I feel confident that that need will be greatly lessened. Jeremy and I can't provide this for him without your help. But God has blessed our efforts thus far in raising the funds necessary to make this happen. And He is providing that funding through the gracious gifts given by you! So, in a truly tangible way, you are helping us care for our boy. 

We are forever grateful, and we have so much to be thankful for!

Stay warm! 
Christy