Thankfulness

I never tend to count Sundays as the start of a week, but rather as the end. So before my week is done, here is what I am thankful for:

• Gus had a good time at our friend's son's birthday party up in Albany. He didn't make any lifelong friends, but this was another pretty accepting environment. Gus played video games for much of the afternoon, but there were a couple of teenage relatives who tried to play with him. He also played with the younger kids on and off. There was a medium sized dog, which Gus says he petted (although I did not actually see it happen). It was a pretty pleasant afternoon all things considered.
  
• I am thankful that we actually made it home from the previously mentioned party! Holy cow, what an odyssey! First we missed an exit and ended up driving into the next state. Then, once we were about 45 minutes from home, the kids were going bonkers so we thought we'd stop for dinner. Understand what I mean by bonkers – very loud Pokémon speak, kicking seats…someone was about to get dinged in the head with a Pokedex…It got so bad that DH and I were laughing. Not the 'HAHA they're so cute' laugh; the 'OMG I've just fallen off a cliff and am about to be a pancake' hysterical laugh. The exit had one of those blue signs that said we could find food and gas. We followed the arrow toward the food and gas. And followed. And followed. And followed…There was NOTHING! (I'm feeling another hysterical giggle coming on.) We drove for a good half hour to find…the next exit that would have been right where Gus's school is. So we finally found a Chinese take-out place figuring it would be fast. HA! Forty-five minutes before we got out food. With this whole ordeal, we could have drive home and back! Needless to say, I am very, very glad to be out of the car and back home.
  
• I am thankful for finishing a 24 mile bike ride safely yesterday. I rode a trail that spans 3 counties and did my farthest distance yet. I think I might meet my goal of doing a 50 mile ride this year. I'll have to start a new blog…
  

Incidentally, I'm typing on my new net book (which I am also thankful for) – yay! As nice as it was, I'm glad this weekend is done – I'm beat! What are you thankful for this week?

Thankfulness Thursday - Almost Forgot What Day it Is

This week has gone by so fast, I didn't even realize it was Thursday! It's late and I just got back from a bike ride, so I'll have to be brief. This week I am thankful for:

• Finishing my first ride with the cycling club! I did the whole 17 miles and only had to walk halfway up one hill! I feel quite accomplished! And I made it home in time to say goodnight to the kidlings! Bonus!
• Having a few days to hang out with my kids before Gus starts summer school. We've done some organizing and shopping for our upcoming camping trip, took a few trips to the playground and saw some of the neighborhood kids. It's been a pretty mellow, if busy, time.
• Summer finally showing itself! It's been so cold and wet, I was starting to wonder if we'd somehow time/space warped to Seattle. It was actually hot enough for the sprinklers and kiddie pools! I hope it's here to stay!

What are you thankful for this week?

On a more somber note, RIP to three icons who passed this week: Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett & Michael Jackson.

Thursday and Thankful to be Alive

I try not to blog about myself too much because this is an autism blog. But my thankfulness sometimes has to extend beyond the scope of autism, and why shouldn't it? Autism is a part of our lives, but it's not the end-all of our existence, right? Anyway, my thankfulness today:

1. I am thankful that we are finally getting to a point where I can take a sort of respite break once in a while and do something just for myself - not work related (like when I used to take yoga classes because I was teaching yoga) but just strictly for enjoyment. I had signed us all up for the local bicycle club recently, but I haven't been able to take part in any of the rides until tonight. So I am thankful that I had the opportunity to do that (despite the ensuing disaster).

2. That being said, I am really thankful that I am actually home, in one piece and I didn't die on my fist ride with the bike club. I had my doubts for a while. I am particularly thankful for the lovely gentleman who was acting as ride sweeper tonight - that's the person who hangs back with anyone having trouble on the ride. I was 'done like dinner, ' to quote Gus almost as soon as we started. I felt a little uneasy when I saw that almost everyone was riding road bikes, except one guy who had a hybrid. Genius that I am, I brought my mountain bike - it was easier to grab and I was in a rush. I never imagined how much heavier that thing is compared to my road bike! Holy cow - it nearly killed me! My other big mistake was having dinner before I left. By the time we were halfway back, I had the most hideous stomach cramps. I should have known better. The first big hill we hit, I got so overheated I really wondered if I might have a heart attack. I may have been having a hot flash at that moment as well - impossible to tell. At any rate, T. was very patient and found a spot where we could shorten the ride. It was tough - I did maybe 10 miles - but I made it back and got an awesome hug from Gus because he felt sad for me. How awesome is that?

3. I am thankful that Gus was sensitive and aware enough to not only ask how my ride went, but to genuinely feel badly for me. There's that empathy again!

And as a bonus: I am thankful that I bought snacks because I could eat a cow...after I take a quick nap, anyway.

I'm about to pass out now, but please share your thankfulness with us! Have a great night!

Teaching Safe Cycling to the Wandering Aspie

We went for a bike ride with the kids Saturday morning, and I gave some thought to the process we use when riding with him to keep him from accidentally harming himself or anyone else. Gus has the balance to ride a two-wheeler, but at this point, he's still a dangerous cyclist. Because he has such a hard time focusing, he is very unaware of anyone or anything around him. He tends to zigzag and weave along the path. It's actually frustrating for me to ride near him because he so often will swerve right in front of me, and if I'm not careful, I'll either plow into him or fall over or both. Obviously, we can't ride along a road or anything like that with him. Here are some of the strategies we use.

Choose places and times to ride that are the least congested

We've found a trail nearby that will give the kids a 3.5 mile ride, but sometimes (like Mother's Day in the afternoon) it can get a little busy. We went there yesterday at about 8:30 in the morning. That way, although there were still a few people, Gus had lots of space. He still had a close call with an older gentleman on a unicycle, but it was a mostly uneventful ride.

Ride alongside him so he develops the ability to ride in a straight line

Usually when I ride with Gus, I ride on his left and match his pace (usually frustrating and more on this later). My less stellar parenting skills tend to come out at those times, but it does make a difference, and I notice that he tends to stay straighter than when he's left on his own. The problem with this strategy is that we're not riding single file and I end up in people's way. There's also the tendency he has of suddenly getting too close and nearly knocking me over so I don't fall on him. But he improves each time we go out, so I'm trying to be patient about that.

Use a lower gear

I don't know why I never thought of this before. One of the things that was difficult for me riding with either of my kids is that they ride so much slower. I typically ride in a middle gear, but then it always felt like I was crawling. I've seen my husband get off his bike and walk because Gus was in meandering mode. But yesterday I got the idea to just use a lower gear. This allowed me to pedal and my usually rhythm without getting very far so I could pace the kids. It felt like a more enjoyable ride because of that.

Try a trailer or tow bar

I've been considering this option for quite a while, but the thing that stops me from getting a trailer like these (which I'm still considering – just have to figure out if they would work for us and for how long):

I am very seriously considering one of these tag-alongs, particularly the tow bar, which attached a regular child's bike to an adult bike. We'd still have some flexibility with that one, and Gus could ride until he was tired or until we got to an area that was unsafe for him (like crossing a road) and then get a tow. I'd also be able to do some longer rides with MM because she could go on Gus's bigger bike without having to worry about the size too much. Or maybe I'd just get two tow bars (as soon as I hit Lotto - I'll start playing right away). A friend of ours was considering getting the WeeRide style trailer for his daughter who has Arthrogryposis. She needs to exercise and strengthen her leg muscles, but tires easily. This would be a way for him to take her riding for some father-daughter bonding. Being able to handle longer distances with her family would give her self-esteem a boost as well. Lots of uses for these handy gadgets.

So I've offered a few tips for a safer ride with your special needs child. If you ride with your child, how do you teach them to follow safety rules?

Happy Memorial Day if you're in the US, and Happy Monday no matter where you are!



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