Hockey Camp and the Start of School

One of the last things that we do during summer is go to hockey camp. Our hockey camp is week long, 9 to 4 and has two ice sessions. During the day we do off-ice drills, arts and crafts and having fun getting on the ice.

Scott, dad and I were in a van with a couple other of the players. We would go by these houses and the boys would say which house they liked or they would talk about football or hockey. After camp ended they were somewhat quieter and had the hockey stink badly. Phew! (Scott would probably laugh if you told him he smelled bad.)

One of the topics that came up during camp was how much the boys have grown over the years. The Cool Cats are in their 10th year and everyone has their own story about how they got started or their favorite memory about the Cool Cats. From seeing their kid touch the puck for the first time or them be more social or even how they learned about the team. Every one of those players has a different story that I love to see and it's inspirational to see how a lot of them have come.

When my brother started he was shy, was learning how to speak and to be more social. I have seen so much progress in him just from these past years. Scott will say hi to everyone and ask you your name. He won't tell you his name but he's getting there. When my mom was in Pennsylvania visiting family with my brother and my dad she told us that Grandma was kidding around with Scott about who gets the big fries. (Scott picks out all the big fries for himself and will scream NO if you say you are going to take the big fry) My mom was very happy that he learned how to communicate and that he loves to talk about everything.

Tomorrow, Scott starts his Senior year of high school. Yes, I said Senior year. I can't believe it either. Scott loves school and can't wait to be back. Now he has to get out of his PJ's. :)

STORY TIME: When Scott was younger he hated school. He would sit at the table and cry his eyes out when he had to do homework or had to read. It was the hardest and longest thing to get Scott to do his homework. Now Scott comes home and sits right down to do his homework. It is a complete 360 from what he used to be.

We hope that everyone has a great first day! Watch out for school buses. Hopefully we will get a picture of Scott before he heads off to school.

Not everyone will understand.

Here's your warning. You will need some tissues. I know I did. 

Over the years I've come to realize that not everyone will understand. From the time my brother and I were little to now it's gotten easier. We've learned how to deal with it. As a sibling of a person with a disability you want to help them in every way you can but there are some instances that you can't. For me it's hard hearing these stories and not being able to be there for my brother because of the distance. When my mom told me this story my friend and I immediately broke into tears.

Not everyone will understand why your kid screams at the top of his lungs in the middle of the restaurant when he looks old enough to talk. Not everyone will understand why your kid hits himself, flaps his arms or has ticks. Not everyone will understand why it takes him a couple minutes to answer your question, repeats the same thing over a couple of times and not know how to word their sentences.

Not everyone will understand. They just won't. Even if we educate them. They just won't understand. It's a whole different world living with someone with a disability. That they will probably never have a chance to see. That's one important lesson I learned.

When I was younger I used to hate to go out with my brother because his way of communicating was to scream. I remember one time we went out to dinner and my brother started screaming. A lady who was near us said to the person she was with, "Why can't they control their child?" Not knowing my brother had Autism. Not knowing that it was his way of communicating. Scott didn't start speaking until he was 8 and now he talks up a storm.

Scott and I got to go to high school for a couple of years together. I'm so grateful for going to Park View because a lot of the students accepted Scott. One day while I was in lunch I saw him walk by and give someone a high five, say hi and had the biggest smile on his face. He loves to give high fives and make people smile. That's what he's good at. You could have had the worst day ever and Scott would give you a high five and say hi.

This weekend my mom, my sister and brother came to Pennsylvania for our two cousin's baptisms. My brother is not known for crying but when he does he is upset or sad. At this time I could understand why he's upset. In the past two years we have lost our Aunt Barb and our grandpa. It's been a hard time for Scott to comprehend. It's been another hurdle we had to jump over. Not being in this situation before it was a rough one. I think he is starting to realizing that they are no longer with us. My mom had to pull Scott out of church so he could cry and well.. Here's how my mom put it.

My family and I have never been really religious because my brother couldn't sit through a church service.

Sometimes we just need to cry and if I was there with my brother I would have probably cried with him. It's hard seeing all the pictures that they took and not seeing my aunt or my grandpa. I will admit. I can't imagine what is going through Scott's head. It breaks my heart seeing and hearing that he was crying and not really knowing how to put the words into terms that he can understand.

Sometimes people just don't understand & probably never will even if we do educate them.

Summer 2011

Softball Season:
 This season Scott is on the Rangers & the All-Star team which will be going to Chicago,IL at the end of August. Scott's favorite thing about softball is getting to hit the balls over the other players so they have no way to get it. He also catches the balls and runs to the bases. Scott loves to cheer on his teammates by saying You can do it. In the outfield he runs to catch the balls so the other team doesn't score.

Johnstown,PA:
  While we were in PA I thought it was nice, cool & sometimes cold. On the other hand Scott thought it was hot and it was just right for him. We really liked spending the week up there and seeing all of the family. Scott played lots of games with our cousins Evan and Luke. In that week it was Evan's birthday and for his birthday we always play a friendly game of Kickball. When we were playing this game Scott broke his car when he tried to slide to one of the bases, but when mom came they went to Wal-Mart and got Scott 3 new ones. One of Scott's favorite moments was when we went with our cousins to play Galaxy golf. (which was inside the mall & was like glow in the dark golf) Scott, Laura & I got to spend a night at Evan & Luke's house were we watched some movies, played wii and played with there dog Maggie (which surprisingly Scott wasn't afraid of.)
  On 4th of July we went with Evan & Luke to Amber's house to set off fireworks and play some hockey with Alan. Lorrie made this really awesome dip that was kind of too hot for Scott so he made his ewww face & it was pretty funny. Scott wore out Amber & Alan's dog Max when him & Alan were playing hockey.

Scott with his new buddy Max.

Hockey:
Hockey? In summer? I guess hockey is never really over in our house. The saying "Is it October Yet?" Doesn't really apply to my family. We are gearing up for hockey camp at the end of August. The B team is doing a lot of shooting drills, passing drills, skating around & more. My dad got new sticks & circle things for the kids to pass with & more stuff came today..... but I can't tell you what they are you will just have to find out at practice.(:
   The C team is doing a lot with the sticks & circles too and the tires. That I know everyone loves. Both teams are really surprising me on what they are learning.


This coming week we are going to Virginia Beach (one of Scott's favorite place: The Beach) & knowning him we will be in the Water no matter how cold it is, but for right now we are going to watch the end of the Pirates game. So LET'S GO BUCCOS!!(:


peace & love,
Amanda & Scott.


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