Community Connections and Support…

overlooking our lovely valley..... our home 

Sometimes we may have moments that see us in a rut, powerless to balance out the day's events,

being unable to focus on those all important and necessary items, chores, or tasks.

Unfortunately over the past few weeks we've seen just that,

 it seems the universe has had alternate ideas than what we had planned or expected for us,
resulting in a bit of turmoil, as A.J. faces some adjustments with his hormonal and physical growth.

His anxiety is in full swing, and along with his hyper sensitivity, he's not coping very well at all, so it seems the 'norm' has become waiting for each day's emotional balance, or imbalance, to show it's face, before predicting the outcome.

   

While we wait to attend a pre-booked appointment with his paediatrician, and other service providers, to address these issues and concerns, we take each day, one step at a time, focusing on just getting through unscathed.

While maintaining the balance, as much as possible, I take a little time to try and help A.J. comprehend the process his emotional and physical body may be going through.

Even in a normal situation, we as parents, may struggle to process and truly know what to do.

Therefore it can be understandable how difficult it is trying to help A.J. decipher the dynamics of the outside world, something he continually battles to deal with, facing the reactions of his hypersensitivities, the external reactions to the world around him, and the environment 'we' all take for granted.

Another area he finds hard to cope with, is the teenage years, and everything testosterone has to offer….. 

Throw into the mix the unpredictable school environment, peer pressure, social involvement, and you can imagine the chaos that can be unleashed.

These are just a small minute particle of the dilemmas that can be placed on the many kids, teens, and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or the many other intellectual, physical, sensory, or mental health disabilities that today are more often facing members of our families, friends and communities.

To resolve these ever-growing concerning issues, as a community, we need to rally together and take on a type of carer role to those less fortunate and without a sustainable support network in place.

It's not much to ask to keep an eye out for your neighbours and assure they are able to get about and function in an acceptable level.

Expressing your acknowledgement to those in the different areas you transition through, while heading to work, school, lunch break, shopping, etc, to share a smile or give a "hello" as we're passing by.

Lending a helping hand when others are limited to get things done, a chat for comfort, a lift up town, mowing their lawn if no-one can help, and the list goes on.

None of these things are 'costly' or 'any trouble', when considering a friendly gesture can go a long way, while gaining respect for your action.

Any simple action, to stop the negativity that seems to be festering in many different sectors of society.

To acknowledge someone and give them a feeling they are 'someone' to be seen and heard, to lessen the stressors and anonymity they can feel.

***Note*** - anyone with mental health issues, please don't hesitate to seek help.

We do care. Someone can help you.

Lifeline - crisis support and suicide prevention - 13 11 14