Living with SPD

Two years ago my five year old daughter was diagnosed with SPD or Sensory Processing Disorder. It means that her brain processes the stimuli around her in a different way than it does other people. Hers is a mild one; the extremes can often be confused with Autism.

Living with SPD means a little trip to the museum of natural science can spark a mini freakout. When we went during our recent vacation, she walked in, looked around, and stated that she wanted to go home. I had to pick her up with her trembling and sit her down on a bench in the Paleontology hall (think lots and lots of dinosaurs--who wouldn't be intimidated). I listened to her for about 5-7 minutes describe the bones, the pictures, the colors of the lights, the way the exhibits looked--and then she said she was ready. And then I could barely keep up with her happy self.

Living with SPD means that to be in my parent's pool means she wants to grab a hold with both hands on the side and not let go. The fear from the sensation of the water too close to her neck was too much for her. It took three straight days in the pool and about 15 minutes of working with her--hold on to the side with one hand, then, pretend surfing on momma's knees like surfer Barbie, then finally, trusting that she can kick and use her arms to swim with me holding her waist. (But she had no qualms at the beach on day four--go figure).

Living with SPD means taking her to dance class and waiting for her to stop murmuring with her hand clutched to her mouth as she gets used to the room and the people. Every week. I tell her that it is okay for us to leave but she LOVES dancing and wants to stay. So, I wait until she says it is okay. She begs to stay. And while I sit fatigued for the next 45 minutes, she dances and laughs as if the first five minutes had never occured.

Living with SPD is tiring.

Living with SPD takes understanding and more patience than I think I have at times.

Living with SPD means that I am so incredibly grateful and thrilled when she sings and performs in front of people at school shows even if she looks down sometimes (but still with a smile on her face).

Living with SPD means finding the places where she feels safe and watching her thrive.

QUESTION: What is a challenge for you?

This is for Jenny Matlock's alphabet party for letter L.

Jack of all Trades

Some of us are good at sleeping.

Some of us are good at giving looks. (before he was clipped up there and down there, too)

Some of us are good at playing cute,

Or playing dead.

Some of us are good at jumping in cars to inspect the pizza and hot wings.

He is really good at sleeping. I mentioned that already; it is very true.

I cannot believe this little guy was considered feral when he adopted me after a T-N-R. And did I tell you that I am allergic?

I am glad he found me.

I am linking up to Jenny Matlock for letter J. See what the others have to say.

Fighting off Lies

burning lies

There was a man that believed he was a failure at his job. He had spent the entire night working and at the end of his shift had to tell another that he had not experienced success. Later, when this man was confronted by a great gift, he exclaimed that he was not worthy of such generosity and love.

Have you ever felt that way? That you were not worthy of goodness, love, generosity, a good job, or happiness because of negative self-talk?

The kind of words such as:
*you are unworthy
*you are not good enough
*you are not pretty enough
*your past
*your failures
*your shame
*your anger
*your insecurity

The above are lies. These are the lies we tell ourselves and that others may tell us as well and they keep us from moving forward.

They keep us from loving ourselves and living our purpose. They keep us from being creative, looking for a better job, and living our dreams. It is so much easier to believe the negative crap at times but the fact is that they are still lies.

I encourage you to write down the lies you tell yourself; the things that keep you from moving forward. Then, write down on another bit of paper the truths (you are worthy, you are creative, you are smart, etc).

Tear that sheet of lies into small bits and destroy them. And let them go. Today.

And hold on to the sheet of truths.

In a class I taught this weekend, I burned the lies for the participants. Start up the barbeque pit and release the negativity while enjoying the day. As you enjoy the good food and the day you can ponder your blessings and the truths of your worth.

By the way, the man from above is Simon (Peter) and his event can be found in Luke 5:1-11.

I am linking up to Jenny Matlock for letter F.