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.

Sweet Summertime!

IT'S OFFICIALLY SUMMER!!

Scott's team (the Rangers) went to states and won 4th place! We are so proud of the team and the accomplishments they've had this season. It's been another successful season. They have a couple more games to play including the 5th annual Lance Gearing "Lanceapalooza" game in two weeks.

                                                       

4th place at States.

Scott finished school for the year so now he loves to be in his Pj's all day and watch the Price is Right at 11. One day we washed and cleaned all the cars. I did spray Scott with the hose just for fun. I think Scott is ready for his summer vacation and starting his very first job. 

Today Scott and his friend Mrs. Laura went to hang out. They went to Scott's favorite place. The Pool! He loved it and said there were a lot of people there. The water was warm and nobody else (in our family was allowed to go) beside him, Mrs. Laura, Jason and Kevin were allowed to go. Next month they are going to Wendy's like they do every year. He loves to sit in a Honda Pilot but he told her if he is going to ride in it again she needed to get her windows washed. 

Now Scott is meeting our buddy Tim who is fixing the AC. He went up to him and said Hi how are you and the told him his name. Scott is becoming more social with meeting other people and we couldn't be any prouder of him. 

We look forward to the rest of our summer. Look out for more post about our Summer time. :) We hope everyone has a fun summer. 

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.

Wow is it really August?

Hey guys.
Wow I can't believe it's August. There are many activities planned in the Brawley household. From doctors appointments, Going to Slippery Rock for me & Scott going to Chicago for Softball.
I had written down on the calendar when we were going to my grandparents house before leaving for Slippery Rock. For a while Scott has been saying these two things:
"Mom, How's Amanda?"
&
"Mom. August 24 Amanda moves to PA. I'm not moving to PA. I stay in Virginia with Laura."
I think if my mom hears that one more time she might scream.
He really hasn't said about going to Chicago for softbal;.

On Monday Scott & Johnny did there yearly activity of going to the water park. He really didn't talk about it that much but it seemed like he had fun.
On Tuesday I had to go to the knee doctor & ended up getting a shot. When I got home my mom told Scott that I got a shot & he screamed. "MOM I ONLY GO TO THE DOCTORS FOR CHECK UPS. NO SHOTS!!"
he really doesn't like shots.

Peace & Love,
Amanda & Scott