Sunday, September 7, 2008

I can see the light...BLESS THE STATE OF ARIZONA!


There are times that you do things for your children because you just have to. I am SURE you could make up your own list of things that you HAVE to do for your children... such things as wiping bums, doing laundry, fixing lunches the list goes on and on and is EXTENSIVE.

I have to add to that list... MEDICAL BILLS FOR JAXON. Some of you may think, WHAT HAPPENED TO JAXON? Well, nothing really... Jaxon happened. Discovering your child is Autistic is a long winding journey down a road that YOU DIDN'T choose. It just happens to you. From there, you go through a myriad of emotions, disillusionments, denials, heartbreaks, and frustrations.

I recently have come into contact with some women here in AZ who have Autistic Children. We have banded together to help each other with our GFCF diets for our children. I have started to think about Autism like lightening strikes. It never strikes the same WAY twice. But, we still have this amazing connection and understanding of one another. We were all struck by it... just not in the same way. Some cases were more severe than others... but it doesn't matter, we were struck and we have that in common. I love the way women get together to support each other. It makes me even more aware of the importance of the Relief Society in the church.

Anyway, back to the medical bills.. Lets see.. there are Vitamins, Specialists that DON'T accept your insurance, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Rehabilitation. In our current position (3 mortgages in Spokane and rent here in AZ) these things tend to stress me out a bit and even though we find it a financial difficultly to do these things, you just feel like you MUST. Because you would do anything to give your child a better life. RIGHT?

IN WALKS THE GREAT STATE OF ARIZONA AND THE DDD.

What is the DDD? It is the Department of Developmental Disabilities. They have one in Washington too.. I qualified and never did find out what they could do for me... But I have here in Arizona!!! They can take that Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation bill OFF MY PLATE. And, if I didn't think it would have hurt our status... I would have KISSED the man who came to evaluate Jaxon last week. You see, Jaxon is considered "high functioning" and thus is border-line when it comes to needing services. I mean, that is the thing.. He NEEDS them.. but does he NEED them as badly as someone else? Like I said, bless the man who did his eval. because he qualified him. They want to see Jaxon become a participating member of society AND SO DO I! (It just might take a little more work to accomplish that, but we all hope for it). This is a huge blessing for us, and I felt the weight lifted as he said those magic words.. "Well, I am going to qualify him" MARVELOUS. ANGELS SINGING GLORY BE!!!

Something else MARVELOUS? Back to those ladies.. Well, they are EXTREMELY well informed (better than me) of the issues, qualifications and available resources. THAT is why I depend on them so fiercely and I hope to someday be that same pillar of strength for someone else. I hope to encourage someone and give them direction when they start the GFCF diet. I hope to tell them about the DDD (like these women did for me) and I hope to tell them about the ACT Today program. It is a program that offers grants to families in helping with the care of their autistic children. And UNLIKE our HEALTH CARE SYSTEM... they think things like Vitamin Therapies and GFCF diets help.. and they are willing to help you. I hope to let you know in a few weeks that we have qualified for help with his vitamin regimen and specialist bills. Even though we have just started these alternative treatments, our bills are already in the thousands... Is it worth it? I think so. Thanks be to WOMEN who work so hard to HELP EACH OTHER. Keep reaching out with what you know!

Special thanks to Shari, Abby and Lisa for helping me through all of the resources here in AZ!
PS- I hope this is more uplifting that LAST SUNDAY'S BLOG!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lindsey I just loved this post. It gave me goosebumps through the whole thing. You're an amazing mom and are probably more of a pillar than you realize! Bummer that I missed your auction on Friday! You auctioned some beautiful pieces...and All for a beautiful, noble, selfless, cause!

jessica said...

Bless the state of AZ and bless you Lindsey! I haven't been struck by autism as a mom, but watching friends like you deal with it, is such an inspiration to me. Clearly the Lord is putting the right people in your path...in Jaxon's path. YAY for you guys!!!!!

JBelle said...

Prayers help. So do girlfriends. This we know. This we know...

Emily said...

What a great mama looking for the very best!! Good luck with all the progress, thanks for the updates! Keep up the hard work!!

JBelle said...

came back to smile at that amazing picture!

Bridget said...

What great news for your family! Isn't it great when healthcare actually comes through for people?

Leah said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leah said...

Wow, Congrats on the DDD qualification. That is not easy to do. Back when Chad was Jaxon's age I talked to some DDD workers and they acted like if Chad was able to go to the bathroom, brush his teeth, and feed himself that he would not qualify. I'm so happy to see they are widening their criteria because these HFA kids have SO MUCH POTENTIAL! Chad is so happy and loving life and optimistic and flexible and outgoing and makes eye contact. Things I wouldn't have dreamed of six years ago. Yes, he is socially awkward and ADHD, but a joy. I wish the future you could visit you and tell you of the wonderous things that will happen over the next five years. With a fabulous mom like you the sky is the limit.

It sounds like AZ is such a blessing. The DDD approval, the community of women you have found...just blessings.

Let us know your thoughts on how the GFCF diet works for him and if you see any effects. You are my hero for doing the GFCF thing!! That takes guts and patience and long suffering! You go girl!

♥Shally said...

GREAT NEWS!!!

I am so glad you found not only financial support, but emotional support...

Linsey said...

Wonderful, I'm very happy for you. Support in whatever form is always a boon. AZ is good like that in lots of ways, they have incredible programs and funding for the elderly too. If you can stand the heat, the benefits are great.

Melissa said...

Congradulations of the qualification. My nephew was autistic and I know that government funding can really help. My sister had a lot and they have some amazing programs out there for people, but they do need some searching. But they are out there. My sister was able to get some free babysitting, diapers, food, speech therapists, and even toys for him like a trampoline.

Glad to again to hear you qualified :)

Melissa said...

Congradulations of the qualification. My nephew was autistic and I know that government funding can really help. My sister had a lot and they have some amazing programs out there for people, but they do need some searching. But they are out there. My sister was able to get some free babysitting, diapers, food, speech therapists, and even toys for him like a trampoline.

Glad to again to hear you qualified :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you, Lindsey! That sounds so encouraging, and I'm so glad that you've found such an amazing support group that is so willing to share their knowledge. There are few things more powerful that women uniting together in purpose!

Thea said...

Thank you for sharing your process with Jaxon. You may already know about this, but Bob's Red Mill is a great resource for gluten free options. www.bobsredmill.com Gluten Free pizza crust, GF rolled oats, all-purpose baking flour,chocolate cake mix and lots more.

We are wheat, gluten, corn free at our house... so I appreciate your challenge!

Melissa-Mc said...

I'm glad your new state can offer some support to you. I have 2 nephews with autism (one very severe). I see the daily struggles they all go through. Keep it up. You are doing a great job.

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