My husband can have fun on a dime. Or in this case, the cost of gas alone.
In the past 24 hours we have had a whirlwind of activity. Not the kind you normally get with shuttling the kids here and there. Real life family fun activity.
We visited Heather Ridge and visited the Polar Express, Santa, cookies and holiday lights. Free
Attended a concert at KSU Stark. Free
Attended another concert at UA. Tuba Christmas. Megan played! Free and great fun.
Geocached with the family all over the University of Akron. Free.
Dinner with coupons at the Spaghetti Warehouse. Less than 10 per person. Stuffed.
Another concert at Nativity church. Christian rock band. Free.
Whew. Are we beat!
So why can't I sleep?
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Make A Difference
Here in Ohio, we have worked for a long time in reforming insurance especially in concern with autism. Most states have a requirement that autism can not be excluded from insurance coverage. That is not the case in Ohio.
When Adam was only a toddler, I organized a Town Hall meeting with our elected officials including State Representatives and State senator and families with children with autism. We also arranged appointments in Columbus with our elected officials to discuss help for our families.
Recently the House of Representatives pass HB 8 addressing insurance and autism. I have not been directly involved with lobbying for many years so I was unaware of the bill until a few days prior to it going to the floor. Let me back up, I used to work for the chamber of commerce. For more than ten years I visited Columbus working with legislators and business concerns. I left when I reached burn out.
So what does this have to do with making a difference?
When I received word that HB 8 was going to the floor, I eagerly wrote several emails. Simple really. I spoke about my previously not supporting legislation that would burden business, but after experiencing the cost of raising a child with autism, I have changed my mind. As many of you know, therapy for a child with autism can reach into the hundreds of thousands. Bankrupting families.
The good news is that the bill passed in the house. The better news is the personal phone call I received from my State Representative Scott Oelslager. He called me late on Friday night. Whether or not he remembers from my chamber days (that was more than ten years ago) he was moved by my email. He also remembered the town hall meeting from years before. A republican, he was one of the few that voted for the bill.
I have sat here the past few days not sure what to think. First, thank Rep. Oelslager for supporting our families. Second, we do make a difference. I only spent a few hours on the emails. And what a difference it made.
Now it's time to work on the Senate.
When Adam was only a toddler, I organized a Town Hall meeting with our elected officials including State Representatives and State senator and families with children with autism. We also arranged appointments in Columbus with our elected officials to discuss help for our families.
Recently the House of Representatives pass HB 8 addressing insurance and autism. I have not been directly involved with lobbying for many years so I was unaware of the bill until a few days prior to it going to the floor. Let me back up, I used to work for the chamber of commerce. For more than ten years I visited Columbus working with legislators and business concerns. I left when I reached burn out.
So what does this have to do with making a difference?
When I received word that HB 8 was going to the floor, I eagerly wrote several emails. Simple really. I spoke about my previously not supporting legislation that would burden business, but after experiencing the cost of raising a child with autism, I have changed my mind. As many of you know, therapy for a child with autism can reach into the hundreds of thousands. Bankrupting families.
The good news is that the bill passed in the house. The better news is the personal phone call I received from my State Representative Scott Oelslager. He called me late on Friday night. Whether or not he remembers from my chamber days (that was more than ten years ago) he was moved by my email. He also remembered the town hall meeting from years before. A republican, he was one of the few that voted for the bill.
I have sat here the past few days not sure what to think. First, thank Rep. Oelslager for supporting our families. Second, we do make a difference. I only spent a few hours on the emails. And what a difference it made.
Now it's time to work on the Senate.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Fear
Several years ago I laid in hospital and spoke with the hospital priest. I remember as if it were yesterday. The priest was african american with a thick accent. He was so spiritual and inspiring. I certainly need it at the time. I had been waiting for the biopsy results and was in the hospital due to a severe drug reaction.
Back to the priest. He told me that fear was the work of the devil. Of course he phrased it more elegantly. But the essence was that God would not work through fear but through love. He said that to give in to fear was to concede to the devil.
That may seem simplistic but for me it was quite a revelation. Fear was the work of the devil and his way of keeping us from drawing closer to God.
If you think about it, he's right. To live in His love is to be love. To love others, yourself and to live in hope. Fear is the product of worry, concern, hate and lack of faith.
I bring it up because I have a good friend who is on the brink of great success and she has a fear of success. I get that. Success means accountability. And it also plays into our shared history of Catholic guilt.
Her fear reminded me that fear doesn't come from fear of health like mine, but from other places as well. It reminded me that fear can spring from anywhere and we really need to watch for it.
Fear versus hope. An eternal struggle.
Back to the priest. He told me that fear was the work of the devil. Of course he phrased it more elegantly. But the essence was that God would not work through fear but through love. He said that to give in to fear was to concede to the devil.
That may seem simplistic but for me it was quite a revelation. Fear was the work of the devil and his way of keeping us from drawing closer to God.
If you think about it, he's right. To live in His love is to be love. To love others, yourself and to live in hope. Fear is the product of worry, concern, hate and lack of faith.
I bring it up because I have a good friend who is on the brink of great success and she has a fear of success. I get that. Success means accountability. And it also plays into our shared history of Catholic guilt.
Her fear reminded me that fear doesn't come from fear of health like mine, but from other places as well. It reminded me that fear can spring from anywhere and we really need to watch for it.
Fear versus hope. An eternal struggle.
Good News
I talked with my physician today. They compared the size of the mass to the last exam and there appears to be no change in size. YIPEE! I scan again in six weeks to verify but overall, everything looks great.
I couldn't be happier. This is the first time that a suspected mass is actually nothing.
Wow, does that feel great.
I couldn't be happier. This is the first time that a suspected mass is actually nothing.
Wow, does that feel great.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Fifteen Days
When I see the date November 16 since our last post, I marvel at how quickly time has passed. I have since been to NYC, I have good news and OK news. The good news is that my scans are clear. The lungs look good and the rest of the body is clear.
Neither of the surgeons seemed overly concerned with the mass in the uterus. So I am feeling confident in their confidence.
Yet they are still cautious. I had more tests yesterday.
Ready for a story?
I had a inter-vaginal ultrasound. For many women in the world, that might sound like a good time. In case you wonder, it is exactly like you think. A wand up there. If you think about it, it's paid for by insurance companies and delivered by a professional. In some states that would be illegal.
When I reached home, the cramps started. I didn't know it would happen so I was surprised. Women are truly not meant for something that big for that long. Regardless of what you heard in sex class.
I wondered if I should have left a tip on the counter.
Neither of the surgeons seemed overly concerned with the mass in the uterus. So I am feeling confident in their confidence.
Yet they are still cautious. I had more tests yesterday.
Ready for a story?
I had a inter-vaginal ultrasound. For many women in the world, that might sound like a good time. In case you wonder, it is exactly like you think. A wand up there. If you think about it, it's paid for by insurance companies and delivered by a professional. In some states that would be illegal.
When I reached home, the cramps started. I didn't know it would happen so I was surprised. Women are truly not meant for something that big for that long. Regardless of what you heard in sex class.
I wondered if I should have left a tip on the counter.
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