"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." — Helen Keller

LIFE-changing Stories

Bucks County LIFE is inspired by the resourcefulness and resiliency of the families we come in contact with. Here are their stories of hope...

Aiden’s Story

Tell me about your children. What successes and challenges have they had?
I have three beautiful children, Christian, 7 and twins Jonathan & Aiden both 5½. Christian is a very hard working child with a slight Language Processing Delay. Jonathan is your typical 5 year old. His twin brother Aiden was diagnosed with Autism at age 3. Ironically, before I had children I was an Applied Behavior Analysis Instructor (ABA) for children with ASD. But Autism didn’t start there for me. In high school, my graduation project was researching and following/working with a student with Autism. Autism was not something you heard about a lot back then.

What would you tell other moms or dads that have times that are challenging?
I would say keep a daily journal. Write down the good days and the bad ones too. Write down milestones and regressions. That way when you are having a “challenge” you can look back on other challenges and see that you made it through them and you will with this one too.

• Remember that this is not a DISABILITY but a different ABILITY!
• Read the book “Thinking in Pictures” by Temple Grandin.
• It is ok to cry. It is ok to have days feeling like you can’t do this anymore. We ALL have those days.
• You are “warrior” moms and dads.
• Ask for help.
• Take help.
• There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel will have may turns and bumps but you will reach a point where you can look back and say “remember when Suzy did this or remember when we couldn’t go to a family movie?”.

What supports do you have?
I have my wonderful husband and parents. All were willing to learn and do whatever it took to help Aiden along the way.

Do you have any philosophy that helps you get through everything?

• That which does not kill you – makes you stronger.
• AUTISM is not a death sentence…but a journey!
• This is not a philosophy but it gets me through challenges. About a year ago I read the book “The Tortoise and the Hare” and when I was done Aiden compared himself to the Tortoise. I was amazed that he did that so I bought him a beanie baby turtle that has become his security. Now turtles are his thing. About a year ago I found a necklace with a turtle on it and I wear it as a daily reminder of our journey together and that with love, desire, determination, perseverance and faith ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

How do you take care of yourself so that you have the energy and stamina to be such a good parent?!   
I run. I needed to find something for myself that had goals so I could personally have something to work towards. I run 5 days a week and do as many races as I can.

Thank you for being such a thoughtful and hardworking mom!
Thank you, God for the blessing of Aiden and allowing him to teach me.

---

A Bucks County LIFE Family’s Story

Tell me about your children. What successes and challenges have they had?
I have two children who both have learning challenges. One has a seizure disorder, which affects her higher order learning in reading comprehension and math, and impulse control, and the other has ADHD, which affects her ability to sit for long periods and maintain focus in reading, writing, and math. My oldest child has always strived to do her best, and has worked very hard in school, and at work. My younger child has a bubbly personality, and is a people person, and is intuitive and wise beyond her years.

What would you tell other moms or dads that have times that are challenging?
If the challenging times are education based, call, or email the school staff to try and get supports in place. Ask for meetings, and ask to have your child tested. If the school refuses, get support from other parents, from Bucks county Life, and from Harrisburg, if need be. Your child is guaranteed a free, appropriate, education with any accommodations that meets his or her academic needs. If the challenging times are psychologically based or are causing problems in the family, I am a strong believer in parent networking to find out what supports are out there for the particular problem you are experiencing. Chances are, you are not the first family to have the problem, nor will you be the last. Seek professional support.

What supports do you have?
Educationally, we have found Bucks County Life, and have used the Family Support Specialist to help our younger daughter get the help she needs in the high school. We found this support from talking with a friend of a family member, who highly recommended Bucks County Life because of all the help she received for her son. I am sorry I did not know about this wonderful organization when I needed help for my older daughter. Psychologically, we rely on individual and family therapy.

Do you have any philosophy that helps you get through everything?
Yes. Someone wise once told me to take "one day at a time". Sometimes, you have to break it down more, into "one hour at a time". Try to live in the present, and appreciate all that is good. As parents, we are all good at letting our children know when they are doing something wrong. My advice is to remember to praise your child whenever he or she is doing something "right".

How do you take care of yourself so that you have the energy and stamina to be such a good parent?!
:) Personally, I like to take some alone time for myself. In the winter, I like to ski, and in the summer, I love to sit at the beach and read. Fall and spring are for bike rides and long walks. My husband and I schedule some weekend evenings to have a nice dinner or visit with friends. Also, I exchange stories and give and receive advice from other parents who like me, also do not have "perfect" kids.

Thank you for being such a thoughtful and hardworking mom!