Always Keep Your Chin Up: Ryan in Cub Scouts

About this blog

The road of life can be so many things at so many different times. One minute you're on a smooth straightway, zipping through without a care in the world. The next minute, you are at a crossroads, wondering which road to go on. Then you find yourself climbing up a steep slope wondering if you'll ever make it to the top, only to find that the top is full of nothing but bumps and potholes. You tell yourself, "you can't stop now, you must go on" because soon there is bound to be straight and smooth paths again. You can see the prize at the end, but while you are on the path, you must not forget to..."Keep Your Chin Up."

Ryan & Autism

I started this blog primarily for the subject of autism, but as the years have gone on, it has morphed into other areas. My hope is that by sharing a little about our lives, whatever the topic may be, we will be touching a part of someone esle and telling them that they are not alone.

My 9 year old son, Ryan, has autism. I started this blog as a way for me to have an outlet to connect, express and, hopefully, receive feedback on life as we know it. Raising a child with a disability can be a very isolating experience. The only way to do it, and to stay sane, is to "keep your chin up."

It's also a way for me to be able to spread a little awareness out there by sharing the kind of typical things we go through. I think you'll find we are more like a typical family, than not.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Ryan in Cub Scouts

Ryan started Cub Scouts this year. They have been accepting and understanding of Ryan's autism, and are willing to modify and work with him on his level. So far he loves it, but we have to work extra hard at home, on top of his school work and therapy, for him to memorize and do the tasks.
We thought he would be protest wearing the uniform, but it was just the opposite - he loved it and we could tell that he felt proud with it on. Today they had a bike parade; all of the Scouts had to decorate their bikes and bring them in for a parade. Again, we thought he would protest having his bike "different", but he went along with it very well.
The hardest part is sitting through the meetings, but they allow him to take sensory breaks and pick his own seat, even if it is on stage!! Here are some pics from today.