I cannot stress to y'all enough, what an honor it is doing a job that I love to bits and enjoy every day. I am equally honored meeting the families and the OT kids as they teach me something each and every moment as well.
Here's what I mean . . .
I had a phone conversation with a new OT kid's mom this morning wich further drove home my utter justification in writing 'The Dragonfly Approach' and here's why.
As I listened to her tell me all about her OT kid and her other two that have issue as well, she repeatedly said, "I wish that after I was given the diagnosis (in her case her son has autism) that someone would have told me what the next step was, what therapies he needed, what could I do with him at home, help him with school, etc. Just some starting point. I would have been so grateful."
The desperation in her voice moved my heart and this type conversation is one of the thousands that I have had with parents who have a child that is/has been diagnosed with any number of issues like autism, sensory processing disorder, a genetic disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, etc. over the last 25+ years.
One of the other things she proudly told me is that once her son was diagnosed, she got online trying to find out anything and everything only to be completely overwhelmed at where to start, which way to go, and many other questions she told me about.
This is why 'The Dragonfly Approach' was written. Written for the aftermath of finding out that your child has a special need and what in the heck to do about it now. The information out there is all over the place and goes in a million different directions and when you are a parent trying to weed through and tease out what in the heck to do, it can be completely overwhelming and very defeating, indeed.
The other day, one of my own kids asked me this, "Why did you write this book? What were you hoping accomplish? Do you hope you get rich?" I chuckled at the last question as wealth is and never has been on my mind. I actually cannot stand money although my mom says not to look at it as an enemy but as a tool. Its hard for me because money=greed in my heart and mind and comes from many years of suffering because of it. I'll stop there.
So, I looked at my wonderful child and I said this, "Imagine that I had the secret to how you could be the best baseball player around but I chose to keep it to myself. How would that make you feel?" He looked at me and said, "Well, I'd be pissed of course."
"What if I had the secret to curing cancer, but I kept it to myself?" He answered, "Mom, get to the point already."
"I have valuable information that I have gleaned from living with it from the moment I was born, in addition, you and your sister had your own issues and I have had the honor of working as an OT for many years with these cool kids. The information I have learned, I cannot keep a secret and I will not keep it a secret. It must be told so that families can get the direction they need early on to help their special needs kids. I hope to accomplish a successful journey for these kids and their families to prevent the frustration and sadness I hear from them every day by 'not knowing.' As for the money, I could care less. That is so far removed from my motivation, you know that about me."
My son took a deep breath and then blew it out saying, "Mom, God has made this possible you know," and with tears in my eyes I said, "Yep, He's had a plan for me from the time I was 8 years old. He let me know that now was the time. I'm one lucky person to have such an awesome God."
We hugged and I had a bit of a come apart because my passion for what I do and this book must be told and as I learn more, I will write another one and another one as things progress and change in my field.
I love all you folks who battle with this thing called special needs and know that each night I am praying for all of you. Every single night!
Love y'all!!♥