Physical Health and Emotional Well-Being - Cycle of Emotions -

Parenting can be hard at times for anyone,   

Parenting an Autistic child will teach us this and more, 

It is a continual cycle of highs and lows, positive moments, and trying situations.   

  

Some days we can feel overwhelmed with everything.   

We may feel alone with no-one to understand or help with what we're going through.  

Causing us to doubt ourselves and our ability to cope.  

Volunteering my Support - Knowledge - Time - and more

Over the past 4 years I have kept myself busy walking the 'volunteer' pathway through Autism,

by helping to share my knowledge, understanding, support, acceptance, education, and more.  

There hasn't been a day go by where I haven't focused in some way on how to assist others.   

banner for the recent expo I arranged
helping locals to connect with relevant service providers 

I enjoy this pay-it-forward approach, doing anything I can, finding ways to support and share the  understanding of diversity. Helping others to re-group and take the steps to solve each issue as we face them.

We are here, we do care, you are not alone.......

I wasn't intending on posting about this…

….something so sad and devastating,

something that we as a small community have been continually facing for so long.

As a mining town we have had our ups and downs,

When you have to step out of your Comfort Zone.

A.J. as he likes to be seen, incognito (or not)
pic share with approval 

Sometimes we have progress shine through all the mayhem that surrounds us……

…..and today was one such day.

The holidays, as usual, has seen a roller-coaster of emotion and confusion as the lack of routine schedules make it hard for A.J. to know what to do and how to cope with each day.

"my fight with my disabilities" - Taking a look into the thoughts and actions of an ASD teen.

....on one of his 'happy days'
having a joke with Nan....

As each day goes by, I see the many variables that A.J. faces due to his ASD symptoms.

While knowing he's already passed so very many hurdles/milestones, gaining so much progress,

and yet understanding he still faces regular set-backs and regression, that is churning him around in a vortex of confusion.

living with a label - it doesn't get any easier

This is the part that really sucks, The part no-one sees, The part that we're told is imaginary.

I travel this road every day with my family, facing the secret society, the taboo topic that can't and won't be mentioned or acknowledged.

Yet it 'is' a reality to so many, made even more difficult when fronted by a world that just doesn't 'get it'.  

-Medically-Physically-Psychologically-

Let's face it, anything that makes us look or seem any way different to what the 'norm' should be, is like a red flag to a bull, most can't help but judge and criticise what they don't understand.

Health and Wellbeing

What is 'Mental Health'?

-  it describes the emotional, psychological, social, economical, spiritual, and medical 'well-being' of any person.

It is about feeling happy, being confident, aware, resilient, and able to handle and recover from any challenges we may face throughout our lives.

Understanding the levels of how we feel, think, act, and socialise is important to help us maintain and function our healthy wellbeing.

Being able to maintain an emotional and behavioural level, will determine how best we can manage stress, connect with others, and make the right life choices.

What is 'Mental Illness'?

- the description for a group of Mental health conditions.