{ D O O R S }

Kai loves doors.  Anyone who knows him knows this.  He also loves to flush toilets and he likes how they sound.  He'll say, "Heehee, that was a funny one!  Mamma, did you hear that??"  Who knew you could be SO excited about the sound of the toilet, right?  There is also ALOT more about Kai, but I'm going to try and stick to the point - I know I know, my stories are a tad bit LONG...anyhoo...so, back to the doors though...I am in the process of trying to figure out what domain name to get for this blog so it's easy to remember and type, I ask my dear hubby what he thinks of my ideas yesterday morning, and he suggested www.ilovedoors.com and I laughed so hard and immediately used my favorite new gadget - my new boyfriend, as Owe so enviously refers to it - my iPhone - and checked that url - taken!  Darnit!  Oh well, I am sure not everyone will see the humor of it just yet, depending on where they are at in their journey.

We are finally getting to a place where we are finding the humor in the things he does (3 years later), all the while running a full time Early Intervention Program.  FULL-ON.  24/7. And it's working...Kai has made SO much improvement.  He still loves doors and toilets, but he also has friends...and plays games...and talks (and talks and talks and talks).  Wow, we are grateful for all of those people who have supported us over the past 3 years and I honestly don't know what would have happened if it hadn't been for the Arizona Early Intervention Program (aka AzEIP) and for the amazing people who have supported us and given us hope. 

How can our state government take this away?

What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention is professionals working in partnership with parents and families of children with special needs, to support their children’s growth, development, and learning.

Early Intervention happens in places where children and families live, learn, and play; the families’ natural environments.

Why is Early Intervention important?

Research tells us that the first three years of a child’s life are critical years for learning. Early care and education have a long-lasting impact on how children develop. During a child’s first three years, it is important to focus on a child’s developmental needs and take advantage of your child’s natural ability to learn

(excerpt from the AzEIP site - my first point of contact and the beginning of recovery for us)

Please check back in the coming days to see how Early Intervention has saved Kai's life...and mine.  That is not being dramatic, that is the truth.  As I was thinking about this blog and what to name it and Owe's suggestion, it occurred to me that it all goes back to the doors.  Doors are all around us in life, and it's all about which door we choose to go through...sometimes we go through running and jumping, sometimes we get a little shove from a friend (I personally tend to do the shoving lately, heehee) and sometimes, we barely sneak our foot in before the door closes.  Sometimes we are so overwhelmed with life that we don't see those doors at all. Make sure you take a moment and make yourself aware of the DOORS in your life...you have the power to open them and go through them. A little bit on the cheesey side, I know, but Kai is certainly aware of this fact, and he takes every opportunity he has to try and open each and every single one that crosses his path, and perhaps that is a lesson for us all.

*hugs for now*  ~M

Comments

[Hannah Gruver]

I love your blog the video made me tear up instantly!!! what a wonderful tool for parents, teachers, nannys :) and loved ones at every stage in this journey, you are such an inspiration to everyone around you!

[Stacy]

I work in Early Intervention in Phoenix, and I'm trying to create a list on my blog of people who will be affected by these cuts. We're still fighting the good fight.