Happy New Year!



Hello there

Firstly, thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate that you have taken the time look at my blog. If you have been following for a while, you will know that I write about my lovely Nick. He is on the more severe end of the Autism Spectrum. I find it cathartic to write about our experiences ~ blogging is cheap therapy and all that! 

We have been on this a journey for over sixteen years, and in all honesty, it has been quite a bumpy road. Such is life, hey? Anyhow, we have all lived to tell the tale and life is now cruising along quite nicely (80% of the time!).

For the last few weeks I have been having an internal debate on the merits of continuing with this blog. Is it right to continue sharing our story now that Nick is 6 feet tall, hairy and has a gruff voice? Is anyone actually interested in reading about autistic teenagers? Do people feel comfortable reading about an intellectually disabled young man who will never live independently? The list goes on....

The last couple of years have also brought about a change in myself. I am no longer focused 100% on autism and because of that I have some extra free time. That time is being put to good use and I have also taken up photography as a hobby. Having something that is exclusively for me has been a game changer. I find photography extremely challenging, however, it is really exciting to be experimenting with something new. 

Anyhow, I have decided to keep on waffling for an indefinite period, although you may find there are less *autism* posts and more pretty pictures! For the sake of privacy, I will not be sharing any more video footage of Nick. Should you be interested in watching clips of RDI in action, check out Zoe's blog where she engages with an adorable little girl called Lucy. 

Bye for now. x















13 comments:

  1. I had the same dilemma Di - as you know I used to post about and share footage of Philip but once he got to a certain age and became more aware of things it didn't feel right. Philip told me he was ok for me to continue to share but I decided not to.....I was really pleased when Lucy's parents agreed that I could share footage of how we are working with Lucy at school as lots of people have commented on how much it has helped them understand RDI and see what sort of changes can be facilitated.....in the guide as well as the apprentice :)
    We will miss the footage of you and Nick. There have been some real classics on this blog. Glad you are continuing to share though xx

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    1. Thanks for your support, Zoe. I am so looking forward to following Lucy's progress.

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  2. Please continue blogging, at least occasionally. I like to hear about Nick : ) However, I agree with your decision not to publish any videos. Your photos are stunning - keep it up!

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    1. Thank you very much, doctorjim. So thrilled that you like to hear about Nick.

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  3. Hi there,

    thank you so much for sharing your blog and your photography. It is greatly appreciated. It takes a lot of courage and wisdom to know what to share with the world.

    I agree, Zoe's blog is great and I love seeing videos of Lucy too... Not to mention all the updates Zoe gives regarding the UK funding journey.

    All the very best,
    Libby

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    1. Hi Libby, thanks so much. Lovely to hear that RDI folks in Australia are also following our RDI journey. Would be wonderful to learn of any RDI blogs that are happening on your side of the world.

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  4. Love your photos so much, but I'll miss all the RDI ideas too, maybe there's another way of sharing all the great material that you've gathered together since you began this blog x

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    1. You are so lovely, thank you. I have a feeling that I will still be sharing RDI ideas... just not with video footage. See you soon! xx

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  5. Oh please keep blogging and educating. So many kids on the spectrum are growing older and are now teens and into their twenties. We need that perspective from parents. I am personally getting very tired of the "look at my amazing barely on the spectrum four year old" type blogs. They don't speak for so many like you do. My son is so much like Nick and it's good to follow people who are following the same path!

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  6. Hi Anonymous (waving). :)
    Thank you for your really supportive comment. Much appreciated. Lovely to hear that there is another boy out there who is like Nick.

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  7. Glad you're not hanging up your hat and will look forward to reading more (whether it be about autism, Nick or your new hobby!)

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    1. Hi Robin, thank you so much for visiting and for all your lovely comments.

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  8. Thanks and I understand the shift as the little guys become big guys. My son is 11 and things are already different. I do look forward to some of your insight with a "big guy". Love the application through your photography you are using! Also Eddie (my "in between guy") and I love your photos!
    Mary

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Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment. x