Today, Ethan and his special needs story is being featured over at the lovely This Little Miggy blog . Please go over there and show her some love!
Hayley
Hayley Crouse is a wife, mother and multifaceted designer. Her love of sewing, crafting, cooking and interior design infuses her daily life and naturally spills over into her online presence. She pushes the envelope of her creativity and hopes that others will be inspired to do the same. She currently authors the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog, is the pattern designer behind Mouse House Creations and is a collaborative designer with Willow & Co. Patterns.
Latest posts by Hayley (see all)
- Music Room: Home Tour - January 11, 2019
- The Ace Cardigan - July 30, 2018
- Susie Halter Top and Shorts: Project Run and Play - July 18, 2018
That was a beautiful story Hayley, thank you for sharing it.
Hayley I just finished reading. I loved your story and how you told it. I couldn’t imagine how difficult it must be sometimes. I am sure your good out weighs your bad tenfold. Especially with the two little cutie pies you have. I love the …she doesn’t wor, she’s a mommy, she does play on her sewing machine a lot. TOO CUTE! Thanks for sharing and all the helpful information you included!
Hi – I read your story over on Miggy’s blog, and had to come here and leave a comment. Thank you so much for sharing your kids, your family, your struggles. We have a 10-yo boy with autism, and 7 & 5-yo girls who are typically developing – and of course I relate to every word you wrote.
I thought 2 main things after I read your story – 1) I want to encourage you, as someone a little farther down the road than you are. Every kid is different, and I don’t know exactly how your son’s future will unfold, but please know that for our son, life has gone so much better than we ever dared hope. We have had so many terrible, awful, horrible moments – and yet, if I were to describe him to you today, it is LIGHT-YEARS ahead of where I would have imagined he could be, even a year or two ago. What is that Winston Churchill quote? “Never never never never give in…” Even in the worst moments, hold onto hope!
2) I share your worry about the little sisters, and sometimes I get frustrated with other special-needs families who act like this is not the big deal, that it truly is. Our son may never live independently – and if he can’t, his care will eventually fall to his sisters. I know my girls and admire their love, compassion, and wisdom (already) – but no one asks for such a ginormous, difficult lifetime responsibility. I am always looking for more ways to foster their individuality, and give them experiences not bound by their brother’s disability. We have done some things in this respect but I would love to hear any ideas you may have!
Best to you and your family. I know what a hard road you are on.
Hi! I always enjoy Miggy’s spotlights. I want to encourage you as well. I agree with Angela’s suggestion of creating time/experiences for your daughter away from her brother. My best friend has two teenage boys and a twelve yr old disabled daughter. Their whole world was revolved around their daughter for years. When she was eight, the boys asked if they could get some time that did not always involve their sister. This really broke my friend’s heart. She was sad that her boys felt like that, but she realized that they needed to feel special in their own individual way, not as part of the family. She did not want her boys to feel resentment towards their sister. Now that she honors their request regularly, the family is doing so much better as a whole. Her boys are so wonderful to their sister. I wish you all the best for you and your beautiful family.
Hayley it was wonderful to meet your son Ethan! Funny story (I hope). When my son was in high school there was a classmate who was severely autistic. For some reason this student latched on to my son. The whole school was full of “special” kids – my son happened to be on the bright end of things. Anyway, they had a trip to Spain and the autistic kid was missing. Everyone was looking for him everywhere — imagine how the teachers and parent chaperones felt! Well, he showed up — he walked back to the hotel having memorized the entire city map of Madrid!
My husband is also a teacher – elementary school – and he mainstreams LD kids.
My son is working on his PhD in Neuroscience for Education; his work involves research with autistic kids — it’s really interesting how the brain works and how different brains learn.
I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for your sweet, awesome, and helpful comments! I have read all of them over and over again and I appreciate the so much!
Hi Hayley, I just found your blog and enjoyed touring your craft room! You have made such a warm, cozy place to work and play! I also read about your sweet son. I just came from a health talk on the brain at my chiropractor’s office learned about some treatments that could help your son. If you look up Maximized Living Chiropractic (It is national), maybe you will be able to talk with someone about it. Just passing it on- I am a patient, not an employee. 🙂