Saturday, April 22, 2017

Super Hero for Autism Blog Hop




Seems fitting don't you think? 
How many Superheroes do you know affected by Autism? 


I had to use the Super Hero Stamp Set as that is what I think of people that are affected with Autism, whether it be the individual or the parent or family. 
Do you recognize LOVE? Look at a family that loves no matter what. 
They are Super Hero's to me! They are LOVE!

Autism Fact #3
Researchers have noted that infants who had early accelerated head growth were at risk for autism.

Several years ago I had this vision to enlighten more people with facts about Autism and make them aware of how Autism affects lives. I have done this through live events for Autism (and in the last three years)  Blog Hops for Autism. It's been incredible to get support from so many Stampin' Up! Demonstrators and our Stamping Families.  

Today I am dedicating this Post to Kai

Kai has been diagnosed with Aspergers. 
His family didn't know that until recently. 


He was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, drug exposed, and hiv indeterminate. Withdrawals were horrible as an infant, he became over stimulated so easily and as a result of being exposed to hiv he was on a mass of anti-viral meds. Thankfully, he was cleared of hiv having always been negative. However the FAS and drug exposure has proved to effect his entire life.

At age 3 he began having massive seizures. (brain trauma that we had no idea was another signal of things to come.) He would have sometimes 15/20 seizures a day. These seizures lasted about a year, then one day they simply disappeared. For that his family have been so very thankful.



Fast forward to Mother’s Day weekend of 2015. This is the weekend he went into his very first Rage episode. It was horrible for both the family and Kai. This weekend began a journey of trying to figure out what is going on and how to get him the help he needs.

Since then, he has been hospitalized 10 times. There was so much we had not yet understood at this point. And getting anyone to spend enough time to help us figure it out seemed impossible.



There have been many doctors, therapist and assessments to help us get a better understanding regarding all the contributing factors.



Here’s what we know today.


Kai is on the high functioning end of the Autism spectrum. (this diagnosis has really helped to explain a lot.) Added to this, the results of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Cerebral Dysrhythmia, and Mathematics disorder (basically means he struggles recognizing math symbols, things get switched around as he tries to process them, his math abilities are far below his intellect and overall education as a result.) Recently his psychiatrist, and another expert in the field stated that Kai’s complicating factors are very rare. His doctor told us he had only ever seen a very few children with these degree of complexity. 

This all plays out every day with him struggling with impulsiveness, obsessive behavior, sensory issues, mood and emotion regulation difficulties, going from easy going to explosive anger, anxiety, and on and on. He has to work so hard around others to try and “keep” them from seeing how much he struggles even with simple interactions. 



I can't imagine even a day in Kai's shoes, can you?

So in honor of my Hero "Kai" I will send via email three Technique Tutorials to anyone donating $25 or more. I promise you won't be disappointed. 


Thanks for reading my "Why"
Please help if you can. Make sure to send me your address when you donate to my email at the top of my blog where it says "Contact Me"




Want to travel so some other blogs to see what they've been up to? You'll be glad you did!
We've got  Super Hero's in this line up too! Please visit and help if you can.


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7 comments:

stampwithamyk said...

What an awesome card Lee! Love the colors and your little superhero. Thanks so much for sharing Kai's story and for all of the work that you do to raise awareness about autism and funds autism programs. As an autism mom, this means so much to me!! :)

Hi, I'm Lee Conrey! said...

Thank You Amy. It is my pleasure to do this and to try and connect as many people as we can to make them aware and hopefully help. how can we not! Right?

HJ said...

I love your card, Amy. It is perfect for today's post and cause. I applaud you for your dedication to educate more people about autism. Kai's story is amazing and I appreciate your sharing it with us. Have a great weekend.

Hi, I'm Lee Conrey! said...

Thank You for commenting HJ. The more people we can educate and make aware the better for all concerned. Kai is an amazing boy and he needs help....we need more research for that. His case is very complex do it of course makes it more difficult to treat. Praying that they find a way to help all these kids. Blessing to you!

Billie said...

Lee...love your post and your "super" card. Thanks so much for inviting me to join this hop!...B!

Maureen said...

Lee - wonderful card, and post. Thank you for all your hard work for such a great cause. Sorry I made it a bit difficult this AM.

Heather Wright-Porto said...

Go Lee!!! I'm know you yourself are many people's Super Hero!!!! Go Kai!!!! Awww. Xoxoxo praying for him and his family xoxoxo stay strong. Breathe. One day at a time, one moment at a time. Xoxoxo