tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46110180661623936962024-03-06T06:38:08.359+11:00The Shape of 4My name is Emma and I'm a single mum to three boys. We all have a generous mix of varying mental health and medical conditions....and each boy has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. This blog tells the story of how we got to where we are today.Our names are disguised to protect our true identities. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611018066162393696.post-23583559931659235482013-10-11T22:03:00.000+11:002013-10-19T20:53:53.309+11:00Meeting the Real World ~<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first few years I lived in Sydney
were positively amazing (despite the fact that for the first three months I spent most of the mornings in the strongroom crying my eyes out from homesickness).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I firstly shared a flat with my sister and her friend and then moved
into another flat with two fellow classmates from home that had also started
work in Banks on Sydney's North shore. Later an Aunty of one flatmate moved
down also. Annie was only 3 years older than us and attended the same
denomination as I so we settled at the same Church together.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Life was very sweet; my job was great, work hours allowed a 3.30 pm finish and
on most days the beach was my after work venue. I made some amazing friends
through both Church and work and had some life changing experiences. One was
learning that the L.J.Hooker signs set around the suburbs were <b>NOT</b> ads for
brothels and another was becoming a victim of two Bank Holdups within a 6
month period.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The latter was a life changing event in a wholly negative way. I never realized
how quickly one's life could flash by or how deeply entwined fingernails could
become in short pile carpet. I discovered our bodies amazing instinct for
preservation as I felt total calmness whilst I passed over money to a masked
bandit that held a gun to my head. Of course in the 80's there was no awareness
of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorderand no provision for any type of Counselling. Many of us spent
days, weeks and years living with depression, confusion and fear. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bandits were never caught and this left many of us with little closure about the trauma. I couldn't
cope with loud noises or any type of mask. (I remember going to the Royal Easter Show and the first place we walked into was a tent with Novelty Masks for sale. I just collapsed onto my knees and had to be taken home). I was also afraid of men. ...even those whom I knew. A masked bandit equalled anonymity which
meant to me that any male, even those whom I had known for a long period of time might have been one
of the bandits. I carried a bread knife in my bag and slept with one under my
pillow. Depression took a hold, and even though I operated on autopilot as I
worked all day, the rest of my life was a dismal mess. Except for one of my
housemates "interfering" rather than supporting, I wouldn't have eaten, showered, been
able to cook, tell dirty clothes from clean or managed my money or any other state of affairs.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For so long I
couldn't see a way out, or believe that I would ever again feel happiness or
safety. One evening I lined up all my antidepressants ready to down with a
glass of water. I thought it would be the easiest and least painful way out.
Unbelievably the same housemate walked in on me and once again "interfered"
by telling me what an idiot I was. Not exactly the best approach or attitude...but for then that was enough for me to throw
those antidepressants away and start looking for help....the only reason being to spite my flatmate who thought I was a useless good for nothing.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With
the help of many Counselling sessions with a very supportive Psychologist I
eventually rose out of the quagmire of depression and started to live a little.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I eventually stopped sleeping with and carrying a knife...but I still to this day feel frightened when I walk into a bank and I always have to sleep with a light on in the house. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trauma and depression undoubtedly cut right through a persons soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Check My Links</u></b>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - <a href="http://www.sane.org/information/factsheets-podcasts/798-post-traumatic-stress-disorder">Article from Sane Australia</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Depression - <a href="http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression">Article from Beyond Blue Australia</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611018066162393696.post-15300303354741093852013-09-30T20:01:00.000+10:002013-10-05T17:31:35.258+10:00And so the Journey Begins ~<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In December of 1962 I made my entry into the world. I was born to the
most wonderful parents, and was welcomed also by a brother and two sisters. As the last of the tribe I was well
positioned to grow up experiencing the benefits and pitfalls of Youngest Child
Syndrome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our family lived in a small country town, in a fibro house on a 1/4 acre
block. As a child our yard seemed gigantic and we were often kept entertained climbing the wood heap, pinching munchable veggies out of the garden, performing acrobatics on our swing set, avoiding mums "attack" rooster and enjoying the antics of both our dog and cat. Sundays were my favourite day of the
week...we usually went to morning Church, followed by a baked dinner , a game of cricket after lunch and monopoly
after Church and tea at night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My childhood besties were
my next door neighbour Lizzy (we are birthdate twins), and Lizzie's next door
neighbour Kate. We rode bikes together, explored the bush, swam at the pool,
went to school together and had countless hours of fun and friendship. For me the most
memorable game we played together was on the footpaths outside our homes in the late of
the afternoon. The three of us became "The Secret Seven"; (based on
the Book of the same name by Enid Blyton). (Although as Lizzy and I reflect back together, she fondly suggests that we really were "The Secret Three"). For a couple of hours on many afternoons, our worlds were transformed into one
of mystery and intrigue as we set about inventing plots, following clues and solving crimes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teenage years and the
ascent into High School brought changes and challenges that were significantly
different to those of my Primary School Years. Besties were placed in different
classes and made new friendships; new kids from other schools became part of
our lives as did new routines and teachers. It seemed that I still had my two besties, plenty of Classmates but no new friendships as others seemed to be developing. The "Social Curriculum" was
the most exclusive of all, focusing on conversation topics and activities that
were very difficult for me to be part of. I had a strong Christian upbringing and made a commitment to that faith myself which meant many conversations topics and activities were just not considered appropriate. I believe I also had a very strong and separate innate sense of moral and social justice. This in itself really did
influence how I spoke, thought and acted. It also had a deep impact on how I perceived and judged others. So, in a sense, <b><i>I</i></b> rendered myself a
social outcast among so many of my peers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few years after
entering High School I did finally make a new best friend ....our common bond was that of the love of music...and we were both pianists. Jenny also seemed to have a strong sense of social justice and did not seem to fit the "popular" Social Curriculum at the time. This rendered her almost as disadvantaged
as me with becoming part of the social set of our peers. My friend also had a very strong faith as a practicing Catholic. The two of us regularly took turns attending church services
together at our respective places of Worship. Two years after we met, Jenny's
father was transferred 1000 kilometers away and my beloved friend was gone from my side.
Our friendship remained however for many years to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was 1980 and I was
moving towards the end of my final year in High School. I had completed the HSC
Examinations knowing full well that I would not matriculate to any University
and would be lucky to even come close to passing the Exams. I had thoughts of
becoming a Psychologist but knew that even if I had matriculated my parents
would not have been able to finance me attending University. I decided to sit
for the Bank of NSW entrance examination and within two weeks was experiencing
my first day at work with a Branch in Sydney...800kms away from home and 13 days away from my 18th Birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There ends my childhood
and the eve of my adulthood begins.....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Have you some great memories from childhood? I'd love to hear them shared! Take some time to tell us about them in the comments section below.</i></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611018066162393696.post-25827435106494661092013-09-23T23:01:00.001+10:002013-10-05T18:05:48.241+10:00Meet the Family ~ Nick<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nick is my youngest son and has just recently turned 14. His entry into the world was, like Terry's, fast and confusing. Having been induced, the labour moved very quickly and I found that even though the midwife didn't at all doubt the baby was coming, she was pretty sure that he was hours away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the midwife performed an examination she quickly moved into a heightened state of panic...screaming at my husband to hit the emergency call button on the wall. With the lack of emergency staff showing and increasing pain in my belly it became apparent that my husband, Mick, had inadvertently pressed the button <b>NEXT</b> to the emergency call button and reactivated the drip. (I had horrible visions of not just the baby and placenta exiting my body but all my internal organs as well!) But that fear did not come to fruition and very soon I was gazing at my beautiful new boy....a bonza baby at 8lb 4 ounces (3.742 Kgs) with a mass of beautiful black hair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Approximately 8 years on Nick was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder and OCD. Nick has Anisometropic Amblylopia</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and is in the process of receiving an official diagnosis of Non 24 hour sleep/wake syndrome which is also known as:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Hypernychthemeral disorder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Circadean Rhythm sleep disorder - free running type</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Circadean Rhythm Disorder - non entrained type</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Non-24-hr Circadean Rhythm Disorder</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nick has spent time in Traditional Schooling, Homeschooling and at present is in Year 8 in Distance Education. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a person Nick is honest, loyal, affectionate and has a real commitment to his passions. He has excellent computer and photography skills and has opened my eyes to view the world in some very unique ways. I love and treasure this precious boy each and every day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Sharing birthing experiences can evoke many different emotions...some very joyous...others can be full of sorrow. If you have an experience to share I would feel privileged to listen. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><b>Check my Links:</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Developmental Language Disorder - <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/mixed-receptive-expressive-language-disorder/overview.html">NYT - Article on Language Disorder in Children</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Autistic Spectrum Disorder - <a href="http://www.mydr.com.au/kids-teens-health/autism-spectrum-disorders">MyDr - Autistic Spectrums Disorder</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OCD - <a href="https://www.bspg.com.au/dam/bsg/product?client=BEYONDBLUE&prodid=BL/0507&type=file">Beyond Blue - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Non 24 Hr Sleep/Wake Syndrome - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_24-hour_sleep-wake_syndrome">Wikipedia - Non 24 hour sleep/wake syndrome</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.18402862548828px;">Anisometropic</span> Ambylopia - <a href="http://eyewiki.aao.org/Anisometropic_Amblyopia">eyewiki _ Anisometropic Amblyopia</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611018066162393696.post-45414423466542780522013-09-22T21:34:00.000+10:002013-10-05T17:24:39.142+10:00Meet the Family ~ Terry<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Terry is my second eldest son and is 16 <span style="font-size: x-small;">1/2 </span>years old. Terry decided that he needed a little more time on the inside before entering the world at 2 weeks overdue. We were very lucky that he was born in a hospital at all as the immensely experienced (and well aged) midwife took one look at me and decided that I just shouldn't have been there...for in her opinion...I didn't present as pregnant at all. (Guess who should've gone to specsavers!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I manoeuvred my bulky pregnant body onto the bed in the labour ward and insisted that she examine me. It seemed though that her decision was final and she marched right out of the delivery room to ring a taxi to take me home again. Within a few moments of her returning I clenched my fists, closed my eyes and screamed at the top of my voice "Catch!" Out flew Terry, straight into the midwife's hands and I don't know which one was shocked the most.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Terry was a monster of a baby compared to John and weighed in at 8lb and 2ozs (3.685kgs). As I held him close I was left speechless as I looked at him. His little mouth went from one side of his face to the other in what looked like a gigantic smile. Instantly I thought of song lyrics that summed up my new little man right from the very first moment....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"I was born with a smile on my face</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>the whole of my life's been a pantomime</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>born with the need to embrace</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>the life of a clown telling rhymes" ~ (Stephanie de Sykes)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few years down the track Terry was diagnosed in Preschool with Developmental Language Disorder. He never spoke intelligibly until he was 7...and oh how I had longed to hear his voice and thoughts and words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three years later ...Terry was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, OCD and Tourettes Syndrome. This year he was diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and has also endured Primary Nocturnal Enuresis all his life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.18402862548828px;">Terry has spent time in traditional schools, Homeschooling and Distance Education. This year he has gained his L's and commenced a Certificate ll in Hospitality at Tafe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.18402862548828px;">As a person Terry is mischievous, funny, full of wit, caring, obliging, strong, determined and has a very strong sense of social justice. I love him to the moon and back and will never cease to be amazed by him.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19.18402862548828px;"><i>I found it hard to share about my child in only a few paragraphs....but you are now challenged to do the same. Go to comments and tell a story or share an experience about you child...as short or as long as you choose. I look forward to some reading.</i></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.18402862548828px;">I was born with a smile on my face -</span></span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Check my links</u>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Developmental Language Disorder - <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/mixed-receptive-expressive-language-disorder/overview.html">NYT - Developmental Language Disorder</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Autistic Spectrum Disorder - <a href="http://www.mydr.com.au/kids-teens-health/autism-spectrum-disorders">mydr - Autistic Spectrum Disorder</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OCD - <a href="http://www.bspg.com.au/dam/bsg/product?client=BEYONDBLUE&prodid=BL/0507&type=file">Beyond Blue - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tourettes Syndrome - <a href="http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm">NIH - Tourette's Syndrome</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sleep apnoea - <a href="http://www.mydr.com.au/first-aid-self-care/obstructive-sleep-apnoea">mydr - Sleep Apnoea</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Primary Nocturnal Enuresis <a href="http://www.blogger.com/-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nocturnal_enuresis">Wikipedia - Primary Nocturnal Enuresis</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611018066162393696.post-32642561679785093322013-09-22T15:46:00.000+10:002013-10-05T17:18:37.063+10:00Meet the Family ~ John<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John, my eldest son, is 18 years old. He arrived into this world 5 weeks early and at 7lb 2 <span style="font-size: x-small;">1/2</span> ounces (or 3.246kgs for those of you who aren't imperial savvy). He was welcomed by a team of Medical Staff, his dad (who cut the "cable") and my photography possessed sister whom I can happily say left her camera in the car at the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John was induced, delivered, detached and then decamped into a humidicrib for phototherapy as he had Jaundice. Thirteen days later he arrived in my Ward and we spent our first night together. A day later we went home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eight years on John was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the age of 12 John started experiencing most unusual sleep patterns which has resulted in a partial diagnosis of a condition that is considered quite common in blind persons but very rare in sighted individuals. We call it Non-24 hr sleep/wake syndrome but it is also known as: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Free running Disorder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Hypernychthemeral disorder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Circadean Rhythm sleep disorder - free running type</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Circadean Rhythm Disorder - non entrained type</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Non-24-hr Circadean Rhythm Disorder</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.18402862548828px;">John has spent time in traditional schools, Homeschooling and Distance Education. At present he is near to completing a Certificate lll in Information, Digital Media and Technology (Web Technology) as an External Student of Tafe.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.18402862548828px;">As a person John is witty, intelligent, unnervingly honest and a lot of fun. He excels in the area of Information Technology and has a remarkable aptitude for photography. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He has opened my eyes to perspectives on life that are very different to my own. He </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.18402862548828px;">is my firstborn and I feel so much love and pride for him. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmcirillo/7324254/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Keyboard by ColorblindRain, on Flickr"><img alt="Keyboard" height="150" src="http://farm1.staticflickr.com/8/7324254_b348216469_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Is your child a newly ordained adult? I'd love to hear <b>your</b> experiences also. Drop a note in the comments box before you leave.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aspergers Syndrome is now referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder after adjustment was made in the new DSM 5 - </span><a href="http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Autism%20Spectrum%20Disorder%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf">http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Autism%20Spectrum%20Disorder%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Check my links</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Autistic Spectrums Disorder - </span><a href="http://www.mydr.com.au/kids-teens-health/autism-spectrum-disorders"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">mydr - Autistic spectrum disorder</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aspergers Syndrome - <a href="http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/index.php/about-aspergers">Tony Attwood - Aspergers Syndrome</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OCD - <a href="https://www.bspg.com.au/dam/bsg/product?client=BEYONDBLUE&prodid=BL/0507&type=file">Beyond Blue - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Non 24 Hr Sleep/Wake Syndrome - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_24-hour_sleep-wake_syndrome">Wikipedia - Non 24 hour Sleep/Wake Syndrome</a></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611018066162393696.post-39091235140835835982013-09-22T12:41:00.000+10:002013-10-05T17:10:59.843+10:00Meet the Family ~ Emma<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am 50, divorced and have single parented since about 2002. I am a full time Carer to my 3 boys and have been a weather observer with the Bureau of Meteorology since February this year. This is a neat little job that injects some extra moments of sanity into my day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Interests sort of became lost over the years as it often does when we become parents and even more so when we become parents of kids with disabilities. I <i><b>think</b></i> I used to like to read, walk, play squash, belt out a tune on the piano, tinkle with some other instruments and occasionally try my hand at some amateur composing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am morbidly obese and there is no gentler way to say it than exactly as it is. Sometimes I feel like I am an Adipose (that race of vaguely humanoid blobs of fat from Dr Who)...other times I feel like a reed (which has to say something about delusions of grandeur).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also have Diabetes Type 2, sleep apnoea, a self-diagnosis of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and the latest addition is a pending diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I suspect I also have DSP which is Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Would love to hear from others who may be struggling with health, single parenting or who have hit that big 50! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Check my links</u>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obesity -<a href="http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topic/obesity?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=obesity%20causes&utm_campaign=Topics+(B)">healthinsite - Obesity</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Diabetes - <a href="http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/lookup/diabetes">healthinsite - Diabetes</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sleep Apnoea - <a href="http://www.mydr.com.au/first-aid-self-care/obstructive-sleep-apnoea">mydr - Sleep apnoea</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OCD - <a href="https://www.bspg.com.au/dam/bsg/product?client=BEYONDBLUE&prodid=BL/0507&type=file">Beyond Blue - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Irritable Bowel Syndrome - <a href="http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/article/irritable-bowel-syndrome">healthinsite - Irritable Bowel Syndrome</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DSPS - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome">Wikipedia - Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome</a></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611018066162393696.post-8939772184749569772013-09-22T09:33:00.000+10:002013-10-05T17:10:29.505+10:00What's in a Blog name??<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Choosing a name for my Blog was a real challenge, as to my
own shame I seem to have little or no imaginative flair. I have nervous
memories of being in Primary School and hearing the Teacher ask for that Composition
Book to be taken out for creative writing. I just couldn't ever understand how
anyone in a limited time frame could possibly create a story on paper,
particularly with a given topic. While many others wriggled with excitement and
anticipation I joined the crowd that had sweaty palms and felt like they could
throw up on the next persons shoulder. Despite this great trepidation I somehow managed to churn out a story that must have met with the teachers satisfaction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even though I dreaded the task of story writing I loved
reading and was an avid reader from a very young age. I read well and could not
get enough of books. Some of my favourites were the Secret Seven Series (Enid
Blyton), Heidi (Johanna Spyri) and the sequels Heidi Grows Up and Heidi's
Children (Charles Tritten). Amidst all the books I read as a child I will never
forget the excitement of Dad and mum buying our first set of Encyclopaedias -
The World Book Encyclopaedia. It presented an opportunity to access a treasure
trove of information and hours and hours of occupation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 1972 when I was 9, our small country town was privileged
to have an Author Visit our Local Schools. Her name was Lilith Norman and she
had just released a Children’s Book called "The Shape of Three". I
was fascinated with her talk in the Library and of course wanted that book. My
parents did buy it for me and as a 9 year old it opened up my world. The plot
revolved around two teenage boys who had been swapped at birth. Their chance
meeting in their early teens changed their lives and the lives of their
families forever. I was intrigued with the storyline, the conversations and
interactions between characters. I was aghast at the thought that babies could
be mixed at birth...but I was absolutely splendored by the insights into the
minds and emotional status of the characters. I think this book was the
instigator that led to my interest in people and the workings of the mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So as I sat and pondered
about a name for my Blog it became very clear...it just had to be "The
Shape of 4"....as a token of tribute to Lilith Norman and as a perfect
way to introduce our family of four.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you read "The Shape of Three"? I'd love to know your thoughts on this book. Share your comments below. </span>
</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4611018066162393696.post-30238757801830606922013-09-20T18:39:00.003+10:002013-10-27T20:47:46.579+11:00Welcome to my Blog ~<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My name is Emma and I'm a single mum to three boys who are 14, 16 and 18. We all have a generous mix of varying mental health and medical conditions....and each boy has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. This blog tells the story of how we got to where we are today. Our names are disguised to protect our true identities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will never admit to anyone how long it has taken me to finally put fingers to keys and start my blog. Some would say I'm apathetic, some would say I'm a procrastinator and others would say that I'm way too busy being a mum to devote time to such a jaunt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Regardless of how, why, where and when... I have no doubt that as you share in our lives, you will discover many things which may add to your very own journey, and through your comments you will add to ours.</span><br />
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<div style="background:url('http://tools.blognation.com/bn/tools/favorite/image/f0cef790aecb538fc71373e59a9dcf19.png') no-repeat -1px -1px;">I selected this post to be featured on <a href="http://www.blognation.com" target="_blank">Blog Nation</a>. Please visit the site and vote for my blog!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3