Great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kermit began attending the MAAP program with Danny the week of Thanksgiving. We are so excited and also grateful. The staff have been so patient with Kermit as he transitions into his new role. It's pretty confusing for Kermit. After all, not only the staff but the participants as well are all adults. Kermit has to learn who exactly is in charge? Some of the staff have been around dogs, some have no experience at all with dogs. We still have some kinks to work through of course but are confident in Kermit. He is such a smart dog and really does aim to please.

Perhaps the thing we've noticed the most is the almost immediate improvement in the bonding between Danny & Kermit. Being together all day seems to really be having a positive effect on their bonding. The bonding is so important to promote and enhance seizure alert and assist. The closer they are and the more time they spend together, the more Kermit can do his job in helping us to keep Danny safe and free of injuries.

Good times

This summer we bought Danny a bulldog for riding down at the camping lot. 4th of July weekend we did our best but just couldn't get him to take a ride. But then labor day we coaxed him in a different way. We told him the bulldog was the only way he could get to grandma & grandpa's lot! Low and behold, that's all it took. And once Danny road in it he loved it (just as we had thought). Danny's loving his new ride! Kermit is still unsure about this sort of ride being safe enough for his boy. Kermit can be a baby at heart so we think he's concerned about his lack of desire to ride on the bulldog. But we don't let on about it. We let Kermit as
sume that we believe it's all for the good of Danny and only Danny.

MAAP is going great! They work a lot on Danny's speech and it's starting to show. He's really trying to use his words more to express his wants and needs. The staff are just so wonderful at the center. It has been such a blessing for Danny as well as us. We were so fearful of Danny leaving the school system and entering adulthood. But it has really been truly amazing. It's actually been a good change for Danny and more suitable for a 22-year old young man.

Friday Kevin & I visited several of the companies that contributed to our fundraisers. They were so excited to meet Kermit. We could never thank the over 300 people who helped us fundraise for Kermit. But hopefully all those involved know what a difference the help of Kermit has brought to our entire family. I have no doubt that in several years we will be able to take Danny on these types of visits more often. With the help of MAAP and Kermit the sky is the limit.

Update

We've been really busy lately. We are still actively fundraising for Danny's cousin's mobility service dog. It's been tough but we know we'll get there.

MAAP (Midwest Adult Autism Project) is going great. The staff work so much with him. They are in the process of setting some goals. They work on many things, such as parking lot safety, hygiene (Danny hates to brush his teeth), and speech therapy. These are just a few of the many things they work on.

The picture is of Danny's new adult-sized stroller. It took about 2 years to get the stroller, it was quite a battle as anything is when you're asking for help from the State. Kermit is so glad to get back to the mall as is Danny. We took our first walk in several years throughout the neighborhood. These moments make it worth the fight. It gives us a little more sense of 'normalcy' in our lives.

Danny & MAAP

Danny has been attending the MAAP program for 2 weeks now. The move has been bittersweet. While it's bitter because we miss the friends we've made at the day program, we have new friends and opportunities for Danny in the MAAP program. The new program is designed to set specific goals for Danny. They work daily on areas Danny struggles with. The main one is his expressive language. They are trying to improve Danny's use of his words. They are also trying to get Danny to be more receptive to having his teeth brushed. He's having a lot of dental issues and his reluctance to brush his teeth is no doubt a part of the problem.

Kermit will hopefully be in the program soon. There are several participants who are afraid of dogs. They are trying to calm these student's fears before trying to bring in a huge dog like Kermit. With the way Kermit's skills are improving we are eager to see Kermit attend all day with Danny soon. We are hoping the MAAP program can help Danny with tethering, which is something we have not mastered on our own.

The top picture is how Kermit loves to ride in the van or truck. He is so funny. He has chosen his own seat. He will even run to the other side of the van and wait for someone to open his door! Kenny usually just sits in the back now rather than disappoint Kermit. But we still refuse to consider his spoiled! We figure it's just that stubborn bloodhound personality coming out in him! LOL

Kermit has been one busy guy. He's attended several fundraisers, alerting seizures, and him and Danny even attended their 1st wedding! Danny's oldest cousin, Jimmy, got married to his sweetheart, Tiffany, a few weeks ago. We know we're getting more confident with both Danny & Kermit when we tackle a wedding!

Kermit has also attended several 4 Paws fundraisers now. There are about 25 4 Paws dogs in the St. Louis area which is awesome. Danny's cousin, Tricia, is fundraising for a mobility dog from 4 Paws. Kermit, as well as other 4 Paws dogs, are helping host a trivia night on July 30th at St. Ann Community Center. We are hoping to see other 4 Paws fans there to support a wonderful organization and terrific young lady.

It's been a pretty tough summer. Danny's had several bouts of cluster seizures. This is where he'll have multiple grand mals or continious myclonics which really gets him down and takes so much out of him. It continues to amaze us how resilient and strong a young man he is.

Good news & Bad news

Well, the bad news is that Gary Busey got fired this past Sunday. Although it's disappointing, it was a blessing that the Center for Head Injury had the opportunity to be one of the charities supported by the Celebrity Apprentice Show. We've been told that the center's phones have been lighting up since the airing began. We still wear our Team Busey shirts with pride!

The good news is that Danny will start the MAAP (Midwest Adult Autism Project)in May. He will attend the day program once a week and the MAAP 4 days. This works out good because by going to the day program once a week, Danny will still get to see all of his friends that care so deeply for him.

More exciting news is that Kermit will attend MAAP with Danny! Kermit and mom already met with the facilitators of the program and Kermit did awesome. He was already taking commands from them by the time we left.

In the past month we've attended 4 trivias, 2 of these were with Kermit for families fundraising for a 4 Paws dog. It's been an honor to attend and share our wonderful experience with 4 Paws and with Kermit. What a blessing he has been to not only our family but to other's. Danny's cousin, Tricia, is currently fundraising for a mobility assistance dog through 4 Paws. We can't wait for her trivia in July and soon I will add more details on Danny's blog. Go Gigs!

We recently went on an indoor track at St. Louis Mills Mall. Kermit absolutely loves the mall! After all, this is one popular place that 4 Paws took the dogs to practice public work and commands. Kermit becomes a different dog when he's working, whether he's working at home or in public. He takes his work very seriously. The track was a success as always. Even with the wind outside. The wind makes it difficult because the skin cells scatter and are harder for the dogs to follow. But the bloodhound in Kermit kicks in and he's on it with no problem. Danny did great at the mall. We went early before they opened all the stores. It was a really fun experience and we even got to see the St. Louis Blues practice. Although Danny & Kermit didn't seem impressed with hockey. After all, their hearts belong to the basketball court!

Kenny was a big help at the mall. He is so good with Danny. Even the day program Danny attends has commented on how wonderful Kenny is with Danny. Kenny volunteers a lot with individuals with special needs. I'm so thankful he's been able to learn such care and compassion for other's and is so eager to help improve other's lives. The mall pictures were on Kenny's camera so I stole a copy one of his friend's snapped of him at school. He attend a tech school and is in their masonry program. We're proud of Kenny. I know we spend a lot of time on this blog talking about Kermit and Danny, but we're proud of all 3 of our boys! Just the other day at Taekwondo a young lady whom has disabilities asked the instructor who was working with her if she could have Kenny help her. She said he does the best at helping her. I was humbled as a mom. I am so grateful that instead of being resentful of the life he's been dealt having a severely disabled sibling that he has instead found the joy, strength, and special gift that special people bring to this world.