Support Josiah

Friday Funding Update:
June 16, 2017

These Friday posts are becoming less and less about funding, but, since I haven't come up with a catchy new title yet, we will just stick with what has worked so far. :) This morning, when I sat down to write this post, the first thing I did was to write down a list of all the positive things we have seen in Josiah since introducing him to his therapy room. I have mentioned before that, apart from God working a healing miracle, Josiah will have to live with the affects of his brain damage and autism and sensory overload for the rest of his life. But this fundraiser has given us so many more ways of helping him endure these struggles while experiencing moments of joy and comfort and calm.

Here is my list from this morning:
-Much fewer episodes of self- injury (He averaged only once each day this week. A few days, he had no episodes. And there was only one day that he reached three.)
-Much fewer episodes of aggression (Only two episodes this week.)
-Improved sleep (Josiah has fallen asleep by 9:30 pm the past three nights! And he has taken short mid-morning naps the past three days.)
-Improved appetite (He is eating more often. The swimming has made him ravenous.)
-Much fewer van rides (We were going through a tank of gas at least every other day. This week we have used less than one tank of gas. The rides he has taken have been much shorter, and he isn't melting down or crying when it's time to come home.)
-Much fewer showers (Before, if Josiah wasn't riding in the van, he was in the shower or bathtub. This week he averaged 1-2 baths or showers daily.)
-More physical activity (Riding in the van for hours each day was not good for many reasons. Josiah is getting much more exercise which helps with hyperactivity and sleep issues.)
-Greater interest in things that he had previously enjoyed (He is particularly loving his golf cart and reading books more.)
-Engaging with his siblings more
-Happier and more content
-Laughing!
-Senses seem calmer overall.

Bed Head but so HAPPY!

There have also been benefits to our family as a whole. Due to Josiah's extremely sensitive hearing, our children were often confined to the back of the house so that their voices wouldn't cause Josiah distress. For the most part, the kids are able to roam around freely as long as they stay away from the therapy room. Josiah seems to have quickly understood that this is his space, and that has helped so much. Because of the breezeway, we can keep the door to the house open and Josiah comes in and out of the house as he is able to tolerate the extra noise. Jeremy and I are enjoying being able to interact with our kids together. Often, Jeremy has had to keep everyone in the back while I have managed Josiah out in the front of the house. Because Josiah is calmer overall, we have had several opportunities to all be together. And our other kids are tremendously enjoying the chances that they get to swim. The surprising and sweet part has been to see Josiah want his siblings in the water with him often.

I could go on and on. Truly I don't know that this week could have gone much better. Josiah still has his times of significant struggle, but the difference in his spirit is palpable. Our goal was to improve his overall quality life, and we have succeeded because of the grace of God and the generosity of so many people who wanted to help support Josiah.

We are eternally grateful.

Because of HIS grace,
Christy