Living in the ‘Outback’……

--front road--

The benefits of living in Australia’s country ‘outback’!

Living in the Blue Mountains area of New South Wales; some may say we are in the bush, while others say we are still part of Sydney’s city suburbs with the outback still further west.

I myself am happily stating an in-between lifestyle, with reasonably close access to many requirements, and still having the luxury of waking to watch the sun rising over a lovely rolling mountainous scenic view at our back-door, while overlooking the outstretched valley floor with scattered mountains in the distance at our front-door. To have the chance of experiencing a slow-paced lifestyle without the hustle and bustle that goes along with living in big-city dwellings.

Gathering together for breakfast as the mist clears on a glorious sunny morning, hearing the background chatter of Kookaburras laughing together chiming out in song, we regularly hear them close to the house, with visits by various birds and other wildlife, including Kangaroos.

facing normal struggles and highlights as all families do.

Posting our story has been so beneficial in many ways seeing how far our little man has come

The struggles we faced and overcome and still have to come.

Our different stories shows how while we face issues relating to ASD, we are still just another family facing the normal struggles and highlights the same as all families do.  

Another milestone has also been achieved these past months-

After 10 ½ years trying to help with his non-existent ‘need’ for food, trying to supplement his very minimal very non-sufficient daily dietary intake, our little man has suddenly (with a little medical assistance- but still it has happened)- A.J. has found his appetite!

Still learning to understand the different food tastes and textures, he is slowly trying new things (with lots of encouragement) he really loves Pasta, Chicken, and even sausages and steak;

He loves fruit, will eat most vegetables especially greens and potato, carrots -if they are raw, He won’t eat pumpkin, and definitely doesn’t like  beetroot or tomatoes, and the only way he will eat eggs, onion, mushrooms if it’s used as a ‘flavouring’ for other foods never as a ‘solid food’

And now we are even gaining progress with eating at school, which was even more difficult, and his favourite food is ‘a sandwich with Vegemite and lettuce’

a Positive Outlook......

At the beginning of this Year I decided it will be the beginning of a new era in many ways.

Determined that we open the chapter on a positive note and with the foresight to awareness of every step and stage, knowing that issues can and will arise, although this time being on the frontline to assure that A.J. will maintain stability and his rights will be taken into consideration.

So far I can honestly say my determination hasn't wavered and we are still forward progressing in many areas.

Living in what has become a fast-paced world, rushing here and there trying to get everything to fit into the busy schedules we have so easily forced ourselves into; we seem to have forgotten about the little things, the simple pleasures in life that can make us smile and relax for no other reason than enjoyment.

Medical Assistance......

We have begun this year’s medical appointments, check-ups, referrals and so on.

Every year, as many families will know, we begin the process of checking medications, therapies, interventions, etc, then tweak any that don’t suit for something more in-line with what is required.

I totally get that this is something that is needed, although I am

over the whole issue of having to travel here and there outside our region to source the correct services.

The New School Environment……

Driving up to school for pick-up, I see all the mums and dads in their cars, lined up around the corner and along both sides of the road, in their masses, waiting for their little ones, or not so little kids, to drive them home. Waiting for the buzzer to go, saying “GO HOME”, and then watching as they all exit through the gates like a stampede, rushing, hurrying, as if they’re urgently needing to get somewhere and yet nowhere.

Some of the parents,

Notations and Documenting is a Good Thing……

I don't profess to be a ‘writer’, to be quite honest I'm far from it, over the years I’ve fallen on the opposite end of the scale, although I do like to be systematically organised and find myself jotting down notes, reminders and the like, to the point of obsession some of my family will say.

So when it came to gaining care of A.J. due to the nature of our involvement in our grandson’s life, long before we knew about his diagnosis, or even what the word ‘Aspergers’ even meant; I was thrown in the deep end having to file forms, document items, and correlate evidence in many areas to formulate a case history of events, documenting everything that was happening, and I finally found my footing in the world of words.

Prepared for Anything.....

Weekend is relax-time so I curled up under the blankets watching a random TV show, I was going over everything in my head that was needed to be done for tomorrow……….

Do washing…… finish clearing out clutter…… help A.J. tidy up his room…… gather up everything A.J. needs for preparing a school homework routine …… visit with Mum and Dad……

I finally began drifting off to sleep….

The alarm goes off at 6.30am and as I roll over to turn it off, I ponder the idea for just a few more zzz’s although I continue out of bed and head for the shower. Walking past A.J.’s room I find him curled up at the end of his bed totally wrapped in his crocheted rug I made him.

He refuses to part with this, like his dressing gown, both have become ‘security blankets’.

With remote control in hand he was in the process of turning on his Sony game system.

Turning to see me, a smile comes over his face ……”and there you go”……his latest saying to everything that is seen or done…”you always know when I’m awake”….

“Yes”, I said “and I always will”, as I continue on I smiled to think timing is everything.