- april6263
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
ollieceb wrote:
Hi guys! back from Scotland. Trying to catch up as much of the time was unable to get wifi.
Happy to see the pic of Maks and Meryl in Mi, and the one last night with Jenna. BTW, someone asked what lyrem is that Jenna put in her post. It's Meryl spelled backwards. They started that when they were in Hawaii together. Trying to catch up with laundry and sleep. Glad to be back on this ship.
Hey Ollie!!!! glad your back 
hope you had a great trip!!
- thecarriebradshaw
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
Hahahah hey guys!
D: You should have met me in 1864. You would have liked me.
E: I like you now. Just the way you are.
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Thread Starter- april6263
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
I forgot to add, did you guys see that one message on Jenna's Instagram from someone asking her to explain to Meryl why she's always hanging all over Maks? Ouch!!
OMG....didn't see that....what was her answer????
- thecarriebradshaw
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
Thanks for asking, KOS. We have a mixed system, doing a couple of hours at school and then I pick him up before lunch to do work at home. Its a lot easier for me this way as the teacher sets the curriculum/goals has suggetions for me on what to do at home. Atm we mostly do training in literacy and numeracy with two programs for which the school has given me a home licence. The school covers science/phys. ed/cooking/music ect. So it is relatively easy for me. But I love that he gets to mix with peers, as his only brother, my eldest is 22 years (still living with us) and so he is like a single child. Impairment in social interactions is one of the core deficits in autism. He has a much better chance of progressing in this area when with other children; I couldn't create these learning opportunities at home.
I haven't had any contact with adult autistic people myself. I guess in order to establish a bond quickly, you would tap into this person's special interest/obsession and be open for it to be shared (excessively, most likely....), then you can carefully and slowly use it to extend this person's horizon. I also find it better to "under-interact", if there is such a word, like giving space/making time for them to interact, rather than filling a gap in the conversation myself. I often count to 15 in my mind to see if there is a reaction as it can take so much longer for someone with autism to articulate. That's something a speech pathologist has told me. There is always a communication impairment in autism. But of cause that can also mean someone doesn't stop talking when they should or repeats words out of context (echolalia). The sprectrum is sooo wide. It depends on how profound the impairment is. I hope you don't have to deal with self-injury. Also a lot of autistic people have co-morbid conditions, seizures, intellectual disabilities, pica ect. The picture of the geeky, nerdy genius is unfortunately not on the mark in the majority of cases.Hi gabriele! We haven't spoken much, I have cut down on posting lately, lol!! I am a 1-on-1 teaching assistant to children with autism. My classroom has a maximum of 8 children (I am in NY). You are absolutely correct......it is such a broad spectrum!! I have worked with the nerdy genius, the not stop echolalic, and everyone in between! What I will say, is that these children have given back to me in spades!! The first time a child holds eye contact with me and smiles or says my name, is like being handed the sun!! I feel blessed to be able to assist these extraordinary children and other than raising my own children, they have been the absolute joy of my life!! I have to agree with you about the need to wait and listen. When I first began working with these kids, I found myself talking nonstop in the absence of their words. I realize now, that listening is just as important, and giving them the time needed to answer, whether with words or actions. Your son is lucky to have you.....you seem like an amazing mom! Good luck to you and your beautiful family!! Glad to have you here, btw!! xoxoxoxoxo
Gabriele, Cassidy, and Carrie: You guys are AMAZING (as Meryl would say)!! I have nothing but admiration for those of you who have either been chosen or who have chosen on your own to work with special needs kids. You are as special as they are. Thanks for all you do for the world..... xx oo and much love to you all....
Awe....thanks, Jett!!!!!!! xoxo
Edited to add: It's nice to hear that because sometimes I feel like people look down on teachers. I hear it all the time and it makes me sad. People don't realize how hard we work and how hard of a job it is.
Last edited by thecarriebradshaw (8/22/2014 6:58 pm)
D: You should have met me in 1864. You would have liked me.
E: I like you now. Just the way you are.
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Thread Starter- JetmamaDiDi
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
Today...not sure but trying to find out....This was on Meryl's IG
ok saw some qustioning on tumblr about wether the hand on Meryl's hip/back is her own or not....what do you guys think????
Are you talking about the hand on her shoulder?? Where is the hand on her hip/back???? Am I missing something??
I suspect Meryl met them at LAX this morning. That is what LAX looks like before or after dark. The red eyes from Hawaii start arriving about 5 a.m.
I absolutely love him, and he’s an incredible person. We have this friendship that I have no doubt in my mind is a life-long friendship. Getting a chance to know him away from training for Dancing With the Stars, I think we've gotten a chance to know each other in a different way, which of course just makes you closer. Meryl
We fell in love, but our way. Maks
- JetmamaDiDi
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
Found this on Tumblr, not sure when it was taken...
Did y’all see this picture of Papa C?ummm....LOL...i think we see where Maks and Val get those looks from
So which "boy" do you think has the bald gene?!
I absolutely love him, and he’s an incredible person. We have this friendship that I have no doubt in my mind is a life-long friendship. Getting a chance to know him away from training for Dancing With the Stars, I think we've gotten a chance to know each other in a different way, which of course just makes you closer. Meryl
We fell in love, but our way. Maks
- annieahoy
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
Thanks so much. Oh, I used to adore Glen Campbell. I just read that he has now been put into some type of facility because of Alzheimer's. This breaks my heart; also, I worry about getting it myself as my mother died from that. I know why it is called "The Long Goodbye".
KOS: Thanks for all the lovely songs you post for us to enjoy! Love hearing about your musical experiences. I love music and really enjoyed learning music through piano lessons, band, etc. as a youngster. I can still plunk out a few things on the piano if I try hard!!!
My mom (93 last month) has had Alzheimer's for, now, at least 10 years (that we know of). She is well cared for in a home for AD patients in their last stages of the disease but it is heart breaking to see the changes in her--and to know that she is living her worst fear. She is in VA so will see her in October. Always difficult, but, yes, "The Long Goodbye".
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." Ecc 3:1Annie and Jet, AD is such an awful disease. And "living her worst fear." captures the essence of the disease. I have watched a dear friend, one who was full of laughter and joy, become a very different person because of this disease. And I have always loved Ecc. 3:1.
Here's a sweet story: An elderly gentlemen who had stopped by his doctor's office for some routine blood tests, seemed agitated. The nurse asked if he was frustrated by having to wait, and he replied that he needed to be at the nursing home where his wife (who had Alzheimer's) lived so that they could have breakfast together as usual. The nurse asked if his wife remembered him and said that she might not even notice if he weren't there. The old man said, "No, she doesn't remember me but I remember her." 
"Working with Meryl on any project and in any capacity is an honor and a privilege. I will never forget this experience, and I look forward to what our relationship can become.".......Clientele Luxury (magazine), Summer 2014
- JetmamaDiDi
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
Hi gabriele! We haven't spoken much, I have cut down on posting lately, lol!! I am a 1-on-1 teaching assistant to children with autism. My classroom has a maximum of 8 children (I am in NY). You are absolutely correct......it is such a broad spectrum!! I have worked with the nerdy genius, the not stop echolalic, and everyone in between! What I will say, is that these children have given back to me in spades!! The first time a child holds eye contact with me and smiles or says my name, is like being handed the sun!! I feel blessed to be able to assist these extraordinary children and other than raising my own children, they have been the absolute joy of my life!! I have to agree with you about the need to wait and listen. When I first began working with these kids, I found myself talking nonstop in the absence of their words. I realize now, that listening is just as important, and giving them the time needed to answer, whether with words or actions. Your son is lucky to have you.....you seem like an amazing mom! Good luck to you and your beautiful family!! Glad to have you here, btw!! xoxoxoxoxo
Gabriele, Cassidy, and Carrie: You guys are AMAZING (as Meryl would say)!! I have nothing but admiration for those of you who have either been chosen or who have chosen on your own to work with special needs kids. You are as special as they are. Thanks for all you do for the world..... xx oo and much love to you all....Awe....thanks, Jett!!!!!!! xoxo
Edited to add: It's nice to hear that because sometimes I feel like people look down on teachers. I hear it all the time and it makes me sad. People don't realize how hard we work and how hard of a job it is.
We have a lot of teachers in our family, including daughter and son-in-law, and most teachers work VERY hard--and are conscientious about what they do. Sadly the bad apples, if you will--and there are some--are all that make news and/or are spoken about. You should be proud of the job you do!! 
I absolutely love him, and he’s an incredible person. We have this friendship that I have no doubt in my mind is a life-long friendship. Getting a chance to know him away from training for Dancing With the Stars, I think we've gotten a chance to know each other in a different way, which of course just makes you closer. Meryl
We fell in love, but our way. Maks
- CEK40
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
I am back...How is everyone this Friday Evening???
Ah, it is. It's the first day of autumn! A time for hot chocolatety mornings, and toasting marshmallow evenings, as best of all, leaping into *leaves*!
—Winnie the Pooh
- CEK40
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Re: Don't worry, be happy!
Jet I will put the video in the "save" thread and also...in regards to Papa C and who got the balding gene...I wouldn't care if they looked like Maks or Val 
Ah, it is. It's the first day of autumn! A time for hot chocolatety mornings, and toasting marshmallow evenings, as best of all, leaping into *leaves*!
—Winnie the Pooh