[Misc] Days Out With An Autistic Child

[darkwolf666]

Right. Hands up immediately. I've not been round this way much lately... and I'm not begging, honest!

Those who know me, from "before" may have an inkling why I haven't graced these boards recently. I would just like to add at this point, don't panic, we are all fit and well - as can be!

Those that do know me, know that my wife and I have been looking after a young lad, with multiple health and neurological issues. We have been striving to give him as much of life's experiences as we can - particularly in our slightly more senior years, and with our own health issues!

Anyway, to cut to the chase, I would love it if anyone could have a look, take a read of what I have added, and maybe just (hopefully) enjoy what I do and am trying to achieve...

https://www.days-out-with-an-autistic-child.co.uk/

Thank you...!

UTA

 

[Solid at the back]

What your doing is amazing.

 

[darkwolf666]

What your doing is amazing.

Thank you, most kind!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Well done mate. I'll have a proper look at that, with the missus, when I get back from hols.

I though you were busy when you missed my tagging you when I was slagging off Sittingbourne

All the best as always.

 

[WATFORD zero]

We all know you're a lovely bloke who deserves the support of every one of us. You really should feel proud

 

[darkwolf666]

Well done mate. I'll have a proper look at that, with the missus, when I get back from hols.

I though you were busy when you missed my tagging you when I was slagging off Sittingbourne

All the best as always.

Slagging off Sittingbourne, how dare you Sir!

Enjoy your hols, and

We all know you're a lovely bloke who deserves the support of every one of us. You really should feel proud

Thank you, very much appreciated. I am trying, in I hope a positive way, to make a difference!

 

[GT49er]

Sounds like you're doing a tremendous job. There are several places my kids have enjoyed - they're a fair way from Kent, but you seem to wander far and wide. Fortunately for me, I haven't had to worry about accessibility - and I've no idea of the extent of your lad's needs, or the size, weight and maneuverability of the wheelchair, s I'll leave you to check out the websites and make the necessary enquiries. Animals and trains feature quite a lot, so, accessibility permitting, they might fit your profile of places to visit. Good luck, and best wishes.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm | Family Fun in Bristol

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has over 100 species of big zoo animals. We offer educational school trips, indoor play areas and keeper experiences. Buy tickets online for a discounted price.

www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

Home

Bring the kids to Eastleigh miniature steam railway; 2021 opening - Daily till 30th September 10 - 4.30 and weekends after that and school holidays!

www.steamtrain.co.uk

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

Stroll around the Park and get eye-to-eye with Giraffe, watch Rhinos graze on the Manor House lawns, walk with Lemurs, ride on the train or explore the adventure playground.

www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

https://www.perrygrove.co.uk/

https://www.marwell.org.uk/

Home - Dudley Zoo and Castle

Dudley Zoo and Castle has hundreds of animals and set around an 11th century castle incorporating the world’s largest single collection of Tecton buildings and the country’s only vintage chairlift – all sited on a 40-acre wooded hillside with a rich geological history. Go Wild with all the...

www.dudleyzoo.org.uk

 

[darkwolf666]

Sounds like you're doing a tremendous job. There are several places my kids have enjoyed - they're a fair way from Kent, but you seem to wander far and wide. Fortunately for me, I haven't had to worry about accessibility - and I've no idea of the extent of your lad's needs, or the size, weight and maneuverability of the wheelchair, s I'll leave you to check out the websites and make the necessary enquiries. Animals and trains feature quite a lot, so, accessibility permitting, they might fit your profile of places to visit. Good luck, and best wishes.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm | Family Fun in Bristol

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has over 100 species of big zoo animals. We offer educational school trips, indoor play areas and keeper experiences. Buy tickets online for a discounted price.

www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

Home

Bring the kids to Eastleigh miniature steam railway; 2021 opening - Daily till 30th September 10 - 4.30 and weekends after that and school holidays!

www.steamtrain.co.uk

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

Stroll around the Park and get eye-to-eye with Giraffe, watch Rhinos graze on the Manor House lawns, walk with Lemurs, ride on the train or explore the adventure playground.

www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

https://www.perrygrove.co.uk/

https://www.marwell.org.uk/

Home - Dudley Zoo and Castle

Dudley Zoo and Castle has hundreds of animals and set around an 11th century castle incorporating the world’s largest single collection of Tecton buildings and the country’s only vintage chairlift – all sited on a 40-acre wooded hillside with a rich geological history. Go Wild with all the...

www.dudleyzoo.org.uk

Thank you for the reply…

Our Little One has no particular mobility issues, apart from being a “runner”, with no understanding of danger, or consequences of actions, hence he is pretty much always on a wrist strap, for his security and my peace of mind. He has limited understanding and is non-verbal, but can usually make his needs known!

We have been to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm a couple of times, as we love the West Country. We are always keen to find new places to stretch Little One physically, and mentally…

 

[GT49er]

Thank you for the reply…

Our Little One has no particular mobility issues, apart from being a “runner”, with no understanding of danger, or consequences of actions, hence he is pretty much always on a wrist strap, for his security and my peace of mind. He has limited understanding and is non-verbal, but can usually make his needs known!

We have been to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm a couple of times, as we love the West Country. We are always keen to find new places to stretch Little One physically, and mentally…

Well, if any of those help, good luck.

 

[Commander]

I can’t actually imagine how you cope with this. My youngest had meningitis at 8 weeks and was in critical care for 5 days. He pulled through but has some developmental delays and processing issues, but he’s doing really well. He can be incredibly frustrating sometimes, but it’s nothing compared to what you are going through here. Makes me realise how lucky we were (are) that he made it, despite the issues.

Massive respect for what you do, it must be unbelievably hard.

What is the long term term prognosis for kids with these types of challenges? It just didn’t seem to exist when I was a kid, so what happens when these kids become adults? (My guess is they probably become billionaires!?)

 

[darkwolf666]

I can’t actually imagine how you cope with this. My youngest had meningitis at 8 weeks and was in critical care for 5 days. He pulled through but has some developmental delays and processing issues, but he’s doing really well. He can be incredibly frustrating sometimes, but it’s nothing compared to what you are going through here. Makes me realise how lucky we were (are) that he made it, despite the issues.

Massive respect for what you do, it must be unbelievably hard.

What is the long term term prognosis for kids with these types of challenges? It just didn’t seem to exist when I was a kid, so what happens when these kids become adults? (My guess is they probably become billionaires!?)

Become billionaires

What does the future hold, I don’t know! I am a pragmatist and live day by day. My wife is a little more practical and thinks of the future and how our Little One will be.
Me - “if he wants to sit on my lap when he’s 18, good luck to him” (and me)…
My wife - “yeah, but you can change his bum”… did I mention at 8 years of age he is double incontinent?

 

[Commander]

Become billionaires

What does the future hold, I don’t know! I am a pragmatist and live day by day. My wife is a little more practical and thinks of the future and how our Little One will be.
Me - “if he wants to sit on my lap when he’s 18, good luck to him” (and me)…
My wife - “yeah, but you can change his bum”… did I mention at 8 years of age he is double incontinent?

Fair play to you mate.

Do they have any idea why he has the issues he has? It’s crazy how many kids have this stuff going on these days. I’m sure it wasn’t like this when we were kids.

 

[darkwolf666]

Fair play to you mate.

Do they have any idea why he has the issues he has? It’s crazy how many kids have this stuff going on these days. I’m sure it wasn’t like this when we were kids.

His mum drank and took drugs whilst pregnant, which probably didn’t help.
He has a chromosome condition, Distal 18q, which he inherited from her, which has left him with the following condition, amongst others…
Distal 18q
Autism
GDD
ADHD
Moderate deafness
1 kidney (small and with cysts)
Non verbal
Limited understanding (except matters BHA)

Despite all that, we love him and don’t regret one minute of the 7.5 years he has been in our care!

 

[KZNSeagull]

His mum drank and took drugs whilst pregnant, which probably didn’t help.
He has a chromosome condition, Distal 18q, which he inherited from her, which has left him with the following condition, amongst others…
Distal 18q
Autism
GDD
ADHD
Moderate deafness
1 kidney (small and with cysts)
Non verbal
Limited understanding (except matters BHA)

Despite all that, we love him and don’t regret one minute of the 7.5 years he has been in our care!

My eldest only has one of those (Autism) so I am in awe of you. Please keep doing what you are doing

 

[darkwolf666]

My eldest only has one of those (Autism) so I am in awe of you. Please keep doing what you are doing

Thank you.

We (I) have never seen what we do as a challenge. My wife finds it more difficult since her cancer diagnosis, as rightly, or wrongly, she believes her days are numbered. She sets herself goals (not that there’s much she can do about it).
Her current goal is to make 70, at which point our Little One will be 14/15ish.
I worry about his future, when we’re not here for him, briefly, then put it to the back of my mind

 

[KZNSeagull]

Thank you.

We (I) have never seen what we do as a challenge. My wife finds it more difficult since her cancer diagnosis, as rightly, or wrongly, she believes her days are numbered. She sets herself goals (not that there’s much she can do about it).
Her current goal is to make 70, at which point our Little One will be 14/15ish.
I worry about his future, when we’re not here for him, briefly, then put it to the back of my mind

I think all parents worry about the future for them (at least they should do anyway). At least you are giving him a happy and stable life as it is not that long ago when he would have been put away into an institution and "forgotten" (which incidentally was what my father told me to do with our son - "let the council look after him" were his words!! Different and often dreadful times.)

 

[darkwolf666]

I think all parents worry about the future for them (at least they should do anyway). At least you are giving him a happy and stable life as it is not that long ago when he would have been put away into an institution and "forgotten" (which incidentally was what my father told me to do with our son - "let the council look after him" were his words!! Different and often dreadful times.)

f***ing brutal, isn’t it…?

 

[Weststander]

I’ve not forgotten your love of Ultravox!

Days out, does this tick any boxes?
https://kent.wildwoodtrust.org/#

 

[dazzer6666]

Right. Hands up immediately. I've not been round this way much lately... and I'm not begging, honest!

Those who know me, from "before" may have an inkling why I haven't graced these boards recently. I would just like to add at this point, don't panic, we are all fit and well - as can be!

Those that do know me, know that my wife and I have been looking after a young lad, with multiple health and neurological issues. We have been striving to give him as much of life's experiences as we can - particularly in our slightly more senior years, and with our own health issues!

Anyway, to cut to the chase, I would love it if anyone could have a look, take a read of what I have added, and maybe just (hopefully) enjoy what I do and am trying to achieve...

https://www.days-out-with-an-autistic-child.co.uk/

Thank you...!

UTA

Amazing stuff. I do some voluntary stuff at a local school/residential care home (Chailey Heritage for anyone who knows it) - the work, commitment and dedication I see from staff, carers and parents there like you greatly humbles me.

 

[Rambo]

You are doing an amazing thing.

I resonate with most of it, my son is non verbal autistic, limited understanding, a runner too with no sense of danger.

He also probably has adhd and is on a keto diet for his severe epilepsy which is now under control with the diet.

We have just been on holiday and it’s been a real challenge. But he mostly enjoyed it, he loves the water.

I worry every day about his future.

I really enjoyed reading your blog, for someone to choose this life you are incredible,. Keep up the good work.