Thoughts on Thanks

My name is NBear, and five years ago, my parents got the bad news that I had autism. That's kind of funny, considering I don't feel any different from anyone else, and I most certainly don't look any different - in fact, I feel like a regular, energetic (Mommy and Daddy call it something like "hyper"?) seven year-old!

I've been noticing all the thanks people have been talking about today, so I thought I'd make a list of my own!

I, NBear, am wholeheartedly thankful for:

*

my little sisters MBear and SBear - but mostly MBear (at least at this age, because SBear isn't as much fun when I want to play run-around-and-chase-me. She does this funny crawling thing that takes waaaayyyy too long!)...mostly MBear, because she takes the time to have conversations with me, and doesn't seem to mind when they get repetitive.

*the DVD player and remote! I know this drives everyone mad, but I absolutely LOVE watching scenes over and over again - how can they not see the beauty in that?

*the people who've created YUMMY gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free snacks for my palate's pleasure -- there are too many to mention!

*my father, who has searched HIGH and LOW for those snacks, and my mother who blogs for me :)

*my 2nd grade teacher - who is a breath of fresh air because she really does have the experience and care that my parents have been looking for:)

*my awesome speech therapist, whom I have been reunited with! (I first met her when I was two, when my parents thought all I had was a speech impediment - it was she who, with a heavy heart, said that they should look at "the possibility of something else" because I was "exhibiting behaviors that were common with kids on the autism spectrum". So basically, she set us all on the right track to my success!

*Pixar studios - without whom I wouldn't have gotten to know my most favorite movie characters of all time: WOODY and JESSIE. (Nemo comes a close second, though)

*and finally, Mr. Walt Disney - for creating a world where even kids like me can feel magical. *sigh* (Plus, it helps that you do this for us! A million thanks!)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everybody ~ *hugs*

I want Disney-waynd, pwease! (Not without a PASS!)

Oh boy. Wish us luck.

We will dare yet again to conquer the happiest place on earth (and California Adventures) with the three bears this weekend. Two bears was already a bit of a challenge last year - factor in the extra weight I had to carry when I was with child, and it adds up to an experience you hope to never have to repeat. *lol*

Nah...actually, we had a great time! Our fears of having to go through one of NBear's tantrums while in an hour-long queue, were quickly quelled when a friend of mine (thanks a million, JA!) suggested that we go to the Disneyland City Hall, and ask for a Disability Pass for NBear.

Yes! Disney considers autism a condition that is worthy of a "go-to-the-front-of-the-line" pass! How wonderful is that? :) That small ticket was the true magic for NBear that day. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!

We were able to ride almost everything in record time, which was great because it didn't give her the chance to realize how hot it was! This was before her biomeds program, when everything was still pretty much like walking on eggshells and fearing the worst! Her communication and social skills weren't as "developed" back then as they are now.

Sure, she still had her moments - like when she covered her ears for the first parts of the rides (I loved how she kept one hand on an ear while the other shot lasers at aliens - can you name that ride?) , and when she lost it for a good 10 minutes while watching the firework finale. (That was tough! She tried running away, crying, hands shoving down on her ears. We almost had to sit on her to calm her down. Not a happy memory at all, but at least it was at the end of the day!)

When it was over, her smile returned and she said "Aaaallll Done!" *sigh*

...If your heart is in your dream,

No request is too extreme.

When you wish upon a star,

As dreamers do.....