trying to reach Ellen

We are trying to reach ELLEN.  Drew wants to get the word out during National TS Awareness month about Tourette's and how it effects kids and adults.  He wants her to tell the world that there is no cure.  It can get better.  He wants her to know there is no REAL treatment.  There are a few things that can be done to lessen the symptoms.  He wants her to know there is no real research being done for a cure.  He wants Ellen to know that Tourette's is not what TV portrays it as.  It is not someone cussing continually. That is Coproillia.  And less than 10 % of the 200,000 people who have TS suffer from this.  He wants her to know it is so much more. It is OCD, Anxiety issues, sensory issues, being tired all the time because a person with TS doesn't stop moving. And you feel you have to hide your tics so you won't bother others. It is being bullied by kids and adults because you think differently and can't always stop what comes from your mouth. It is not being able to stop yourself from doing something you know might hurt because it has to be done. It is sitting my yourself at lunch because kids don't want to sit next to you.  It is playing alone on the swings and kids coming over and calling you names.  it is your parents deciding that you would be better at home for school because it is just to hard to face the bullies everyday.  it is teachers turning the other way and allowing it to happen. It is your mom and dad (and 250 facebook friends of theirs who post encouragement) who know you can finish math homework even when teachers don't.

It is isolating because when adults won't get educated they can't educate kids who call you weird, strange, stupid (because you can't remember things) It is watching people like Henry Winkler, Brad Cohen and Dan Akroyd and others who have had disabilities who have overcome because they give you some hope that someday you will be "normal".  It is listening to Wil Wheaton tell a girl it is OK to be a nerd and like comics because it is what you have to hold on to because your hero is batman. It is being told batman doesn't exist because kids say super hero's aren't real (I know they aren't but they keep me going) It is playing alone with legos because no one will play with  you.  It is hoping that there will be someone who wants to come to  your birthday party, and your parents having to have a back up plan in case no one wants to come.  It is

PER the CDC:

In the United States

• It is not known exactly how many people have Tourette Syndrome (TS). A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study has found that 3 of every 1,000 children 6 through 17 years of age and living in the United States have been diagnosed with TS based on parent report; this represents about 148,000 children. Other studies using different methods have estimated the rate of TS at 6 per 1,000 children.
  
• Among children with TS, 27% have been reported as having moderate or severe forms of the condition.
  
• TS affects people of all racial and ethnic groups.
  
• Males are affected three times more often than females.
  
• A TS diagnosis is twice as likely among non-Hispanic White people than among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black people.
  
• A diagnosis of TS is twice as common among children 12 through 17 years of age as among those 6 through 11 years of age.

Co-Occurring Conditions

• Among children diagnosed with TS, 79% also have been diagnosed with at least one additional mental health, behavioral, or developmental condition, such as:
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 64%;
  • Behavioral or conduct problems, 43%;
  • Anxiety problems, 40%;
  • Depression, 36%; and
  • Developmental delay affecting his or her ability to learn, 28%.
    
• More than one-third of people with TS also have obsessive-compulsive disorder.2,3

No one knows what TS is and Ellen you could shine a national spotlight on this. No one talks about this and we need your help to get the word out!  It is someone like you who says be kind to each other every day who can show the world that we are just like everyone one else.

Sincerely,

Drew Anderson and his mom!

New Territory

We are entering new territory.  Drew is going to his first sleepover on Friday night.  All the boys in his class were invited to one of the boys house for "EPIC NIGHT"  He is to bring his sleeping bag, swim suit and nerf gun.  A new Nerf gun has been purchased with extra ammo.  He has been excited about this for several weeks.

I, on the other hand, have been pretty nervous.  First concern - there is one boy that Drew doesn't always get along with and he gets on Drew's nerves.  I worry that as the evening wears on and as Drew gets tired,  that the boy will push Drew's buttons and he won't be able to control himself and will get angry.  I also worry that as he gets tired the tics will get worse and it will cause issues. The kids have never really said anything but things are tame and as excitement and tired creep in the increase.

Don't get me wrong I am thrilled he is being included and is having the experiences that all boys his age should have.  I did have a long talk with him tonight about several things.  I told him no matter what this boy did, Drew had to hold  his temper and walk away.  I also talked to him about the after effects of a sleep over. Being tired and grouchy and increased tics are two big ones.  I wanted him to know what too expect.  He did have some hesitation after we talked but I told him that we WANTED him to go and have a most awesome time but to know there could be some extra tics on Saturday.  

He has been practicing with the new Nerf gun.  I will talk to the mom tomorrow and give her a heads up. It feels a little strange because I usually let Drew control who he tells and how.  Also trying to figure out how to handle evening meds.  They make him sleepy  and he will crash about 20 minutes after taking them.  Not ideal for an EPIC NIGHT!.If he doesn't get them at all he won't sleep. ARG!!!! 

I am sure i am over thinking all of this but that is what comes with entering into new Territory.

amazing few days

We have had such wonderful weekend with one day to go.  My pseudo parents Peg and Allan Hazlett have been visiting. Last night we took them to our favorite Korean restaurant.  We are so much we waddled out.  We love the ability to cook on the table grill and share family time.  It is our "special Occasion" go to place.  I think the next time we will be there is when Phil and Betsy and our former Korean exchange student, Hae "Aaron" Chung are all here for Christmas.

Today we took them on a tour of the orginal gold rush area.  We were in the Sierra Nevada foothils.  We wanted to go to the outlet mall in Folsom on the way back but there was no parking and the lot was fuller than "a Superbowl Sunday" so instead we came home and took naps.  For dinner? We headed to TOPS Yogart and ran in to homeschool friends.

Tomorrow Scott has to work - everyone one say "POOR SCOTT" Drew is cutting class - every one say "POOR DREW"  and we are doing the one thing Drew wanted to do while Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Allan were here.  We are going to the Jelly Belly Factory.  We will take the regular tour and then sample popular flavors like Diaper wipe, grass and vomit flavored Jelly Bellys.

Tomorrow in the late afternoon we will end their visit with a trip to SQUEEZE INN. It is a Sacramento landmark that has been featured on Diners Dives and Drive Ins.  We take all visitors there for one meal when they visit.  Make sure you visit the website and check out the pictures of the burgers with their cheese skirts.  I get mine with mushrooms and sour cream.  If I am going to blow it I am going to blow it right!!!!

They leave Wed morning to head for Carmel for a wedding.  The next time we get to see them is when we head to Kansas next summer for our son's wedding which Allan will officiate at. I love their visits and they are too few and far between.

Next time old town sac and the train museum will be on the agenda.

not yet

Yes I know you are all dying for the Disney stuff but you have to wait a few more days. I need a couple days to reflect on other things.

Today Drew went back to brick and mortar school. He loved it. I think he liked the social aspect quite a bit. That was the BIGGEST concern I had about home schooling in the first place. We joined several HS groups but he needed more socialization opportunities.

With his learning issues and anxiety issues he is in a self contained classroom with 8 other kids, a teacher and 3 aides. The plan is to begin to main stream him next year.

It was strange not having Drew around today. I did get lots accomplished. All the Christmas stuff is packed away, Scott and I moved offices, and I got a power nap. It was also very quiet with out him around. I never realized what a large presence he was. Scott and I have decided that Drew will still participate in some HS activities such as International Day, Gold Rush Days, weekend HS trips and our camping trips. That way he can have the best of both worlds.

I still hope to find a way to do Story of the World with him. It is an awesome history series that we both enjoy. I also want to set up a website and have us track Flat Stanley/Stella around the world.

This was one of the most difficult decisions I have made in parenting. I know for now it is where Drew needs to be. I loved our HS time and can't wait for the day we can resume it.

I usually think

Yes I think (as scary as that is) but what I was going to say was during the day I think of all sorts of wonderful things to blog about. Problem is I am not at my computer at the time so by the time I get to my computer I draw a blank and blog about nothing. I think there was a TV show about nothing at one time. Wish my blog could be that popular.

On Tuesday,April 13 my oldest friend is coming to visit. We have been friends since 5th grade. not saying how many years that is but if you read my older posts you can figure it out. planning on doing very little. Just sitting out back and drinking margaritas, eating salsa and talking. We are going to San Francisco for a day but that is it. I love company that is easy. They don't want to be entertained they just want to be. The obligatory trip to Squeeze Inn is on the list. She wants to check out a couple bead shops. Like I said easy. I have very few friends that are like that. Lori is one. The others would be Kim and Anna. Most people you feel like you have to entertain. With them I know they are coming to see me. That is what makes it easy.

damaged jaws and good friends

I am sitting here waiting to hear from Phil. It the fraternity annual "funk bowl" a fraternity brother took Phil out.

Now the funk bowl is a all out contact tackle football game that is held every year on Superbowl Sunday. There are no helmets or pads for this game. Just "brotherly love" fight to the death leave 'em bleeding football.

Phil called and said Mike was taking him to the minor med because he might have a broken jaw. The docs at minor med did an xray but couldn't see anything. Sent him home with pain pills and orders to call in the morning if not better. Said htey would get him into an ENT?!?!?!

Fast forward to this morning...

He calls and says that he is going for a panoramic xray. They still see nothing but Phil tells me that his bite is off by about 1/4".

I do the only thing I can think of. I call my old friend and Phil's orthodontist from many moons ago. I tell the receptionist my problem. They get Phil in within the hour.

From what I was able to tell from Phil's gritted teeth talk, Kevin took one look, had Phil attempt to bite down and said you need an oral surgeon.

He tried to call the ones where Phil was seen yesterday, but they were all at lunch. So KEvin sent Phil to a new guy in town. HE took one look at phil and got on the phone with Tallgrass and started yelling about how poor their treatment was and why the HE@@ were they trying to get him to an ENT when his nose wasn't broken and his throat wasn't collapsed. This doc tells Tall Grass that they need to have their oral surgeon look at him PDQ. He sends phil to the fraternaity to wait for a call. The oral surgeon from Tall Grass then passes him off to a Dr. Zeller who Phil is currently waiting to see.

Best possible scenario - reset jaw and wire shut for a few days
Worst case scenario - surgery and wire shut for a few weeks????
Either way he is going to drop the weight he wants.

I will update as situation warrents.

Grace

I have a friend I admire. Her world was turned upside down this month. I don't think I could have handled the situation with the grace and dignity that she has. I know she is questioning her life, self, and love right now. She need not worry. She is showing me how to be a woman who can hold her head high no matter the circumstances and face any adversity that comes her way. She is impacting many lives with her quiet outward demeanor. I know on the inside she is barely holding on but outwardly she is a model of what every woman can be. I love her like a sister and wish I could take her pain.

Her faith in God and what she truly wants will get her through. I think many good things will come from this stumbling block. What ever God has in store she will meet it head on and come through the other side a stronger (if that is possible) happier woman.

Thank you Dream Factory

Today Phil called with amazing news. Lisa had turned in Trent (my nephew with diabetes) to the Dream Factory to have a wish. Since he is home so much and unable to get out he wanted a big screen TV. Dream Factory called last night and said they were granting Trent's wish. He would be getting a 55" LCD TV with a XBox 360 and games to go with it. While that is awesome news - the news they got next was even better. Some group ( I will post when I know more) had chosen Trent to be the recpient of the proceeds for a golf tournament. The money will be put in a trust to help with medical bills and day to day expenses for the family. since Lisa can't work because Trent is so unstable and insurnace doesn't cover everything that he needs this money is going to come in handy. Once I know more about the tournament I will post so hopefully everyone can at least make a donation in Trent's name.

This proves There is always

Faith hope and pixie dust
C

retail therapy

My "dear" friend Anna turned me on to beading when she was here with her family over Spring break. I don't do alot of tradiional beading but I love to make necklaces and earrings. I love the stone and how my imagination starts running when I walk in to a bead store. I am like a kid in a VERY expensive candy store. I was slightly ticked at my DH today (OK 200.00 ticked) so I went to one of my fave bead stores. I am sitting here looking at my new stash and thinking hmmmmm what do I need to order to complete these focals and what focals to I need to order to finish these beads. My fave bead store was closed so that will have to wait until another day but I do need to hit my 2 fave seed bead shops soon. I had told my self I wasn't going shopping until anna sent my a package after she cleaned out her stash but alas it was not to be. I do need to run to Michaels and pick up a few standard supplies. need crimp tubes and such.

scott is going to be out of town lots in the near future so at least this way I have something to do when school is over and I get back from Kansas. There are a couple things I want to get made before I leave but we will see if I can get them done.

I need to work on my seed beading so I can do some more elaborate work but right now I am just having fun with my jewelry.

fatih trust and pixie dust

Anderson Family Law part duex

I know I have been keeping everyone amused by the happenings at the old house in Kansas we are trying to sell. Are you ready for the latest?Let me back track a little. Drew's EEG last week was perfect. According to the doc we can't rule in or out seizure disorder. Just have to wait to see what happens.So thursday I was driving Drew to school and was in stop and go traffic. The cars in front of me started going I started going. the cars in front of me stopped - I kept going. I caused a 3 car pile up in rush hour traffic. One second I was going the next second - there was steam coming from the front of my car. There was an off duty cop who pulled up and took control. He kept asking if I needed Rescue because i was "emotional" - hysterical . ( my insurance agent calls it passionate) I couldnt get my brain to engage. I didn't seem to realize that everything on the seat had hit the floor. I finally pulled it together and called Scott. He got there in no time. He took Drew to school while I dealt with the police. I also called my friend Faith and she called a tow truck and told me where to have the car towed. Scott asked Drew if he was all right Drew said "yes I am fine, but I was scared". Scott asked what scared him His reply - "Mommy screaming". So that was thursday. I spent the day getting a rental and dealing with that. I only broke my pinky.

Fast forward to today. We gave some of the appliances from the old house to my dear friend Kim. Phil met Kim over there to help move them. Kim calls and says "we had to call the police" That freaked me out. Come to find out some vagrants had been sleeping in our backyard. They had been huffing spray paint. Kim and Phil found 20-30 zip loc bags full of dry gold and silver paint, blankets, pillows, underwear. Phil also discovered that someone had broken the lock on the storage shed and took some really odd things - a fish tank, some of drews old toys really bizarre stuff. They even took the trash can that had been in the side yard.The lawn mower and grill were still there. No one had been in the house. The police told Phil and Kim that they had broken up a homeless ring that was sleeping in the woods behind a nearby grocery store and it appeared they had moved to our house!!! The police are now patrolling and stopping twice a shift to check on things. Only one more chapter in how not to move across country and leave a house empty.