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  1. FO: Arwen

    November 23, 2010 by sunrisesister

    Behind the scenes, we have been busy moving accross to a new webserver, and I took the plunge and went over to WordPress Multisite – much better for my needs, but still a few bugs and settings to fix up.

    The good news? I am recovering faster than ever. I am able to walk independently (Altho the pram comes in handy when doing lots of walking) and I can even drive! The biggest challenge was figuring out how to get the baby in and out of the car on my own, but with a bit of rejigging, it’s working so far. I am able to do most things myself, except for lifting laundry baskets, carrying the baby much, etc.

    The bad news? The spinal injury was worse than expected, with two discs completely herniated, not just one.

    So I have been enjoying some knitting, and this is a pattern that was in my queue for like, forever. I decided to just CAST ON ALREADY and hey presto, here it is.

    photo

    It might just be the most ridiculous thing I have ever made! And that is saying something, considering I have knitted a breast before and a boob hat for a newborn.

    But I have a confession to make… this was made with pretty trashy yarn. Bright, beautiful colours, pure wool 8ply, but hardly yarn porn. But I dont think it detracts from the end result. The only thing I may go back and add, is a crochet row on the underside of the red ruffle, to stabilise it, and make it look as even as the others. I did intend to add a pink ruffle next, but after the endless knitting, I HAD TO STOP.

    Ruffles are hard, because they go on forever.

    I do plan to get Tille to model it for me, but today, when it’s 32 degrees, it will have to be another day..

    Pattern: Arwen by Christine Jones

    Yarn: Spotlight Moda Vera Pure 8ply (yeah, yeah)

    Sticks: 4mm Addi Clicks – two cord lengths.

    Rav Link

    Category catching up, children, health, knitting, ridiculous, yarn | Tags: | No Comments

  2. As Promised

    November 1, 2010 by sunrisesister

    Some links. I must confess, though, a serious lack of sleep has meant that I am operating on very little Go today, so I am going to shamelessly refer you over to someone else who has been posting great links on Twitter today, Ben Pobjie. He is one of my fave current twitter-ers and bloggers, and you can even find him over at the New Matilda (yes, it’s back!)

    His Twitter Feed Is Here.

    “The Autism Information Line for people in Australia affected by ASD is 1800 069 978″

    “From the Autism Information Library – Autism? What is it? http://djckmn.com/clkpjo ”

    Moving on, here’s some of my favourites.

    Raising Children Network page on ASD

    Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

    The Royal Children’s Hospital fact sheet on ASD

    Category catching up, health | Tags: | No Comments

  3. Shutdown? Speak Out!

    October 31, 2010 by sunrisesister

    So tomorrow, apparently we are being urged to steer clear of Twitter and Facebook in a Communication Shutdown. This idea is made with such good intent, I can tell, but I cant help but think it’s a little counter-productive. Autistic children (and adults) often struggle to communicate. So don’t shut down communication to support them. Donate, sure, but be sure to tell everyone why, how and where!

    Instead, I will be on Twitter and Facebook, as usual, posting links to resources, information, and answering any questions that come my way about autism.

    I am not an expert, by any means, but I am a parent of an autistic child.

    _MG_1995

    W was diagnosed when he was 4. Some think that’s ‘late’, but to us it was all very overwhelming to absorb so many potential ‘what if’scenarios all at once. But we had amazing caregivers; a GP, a peadiatrician, a psychologist specialising in ASD, a speech pathologist, teachers, and aides. As a result, we have an incredibly happy, settled and creative young boy.

    There was a time, though, when he wasn’t verbal. He would not make eye contact with us, would not communicate more than a frustrated cry, scream, pointing and babbling. He was impossible to toilet train. I had to delay preschool once, twice, and almost a third time. We didn’t even know if he would be able to attend a ‘normal’ school – something that frightened me, thinking that this would set him back even further. Luckily this wasnt the case, and he is happily attending the same school as his sisters.

    I knew there was something different about him, from birth, but my method of parenting meant that we went with the flow, and trusted that the answers would come when we were ready. He had more urgent medical needs as a baby.

    _MG_1989 _MG_1990

    _MG_1980

    Today, W is an eloquent, clever, smart, communicative, emotional boy. He’s seriously into comic books, sci fi, tv, and Lego. Seriously, mega into Lego. He is horribly arachnophobic, hates fresh tomato, but eats his vegies raw. He would happily douse any dinner in ketchup, and knows more trivia about Dr Who than most of the planet. He has a wicked sense of humour, even if we dont all understand the punchlines. He makes, and keeps, friendships. He can now recognise and respond to others emotions. He can self-regulate, and minimise his anxieties.

    So, there is light at the end of the tunnel, I am sure of it. We have many challenges that lay ahead, I am sure, but I am feeling positive about it.

    So my first linkspam is this: Autism Victoria. Some people say YAY, some people poopoo them. But no matter what, they have a killer resource library. It was from here that I borrowed a book that changed our lives: The Dragons of Autism by Olga Holland.

    Autism Victoria’s website is well worth a look, no matter where you live. It even has a plethora of great linkage.

    So please, tomorrow, spend a little time reading. Spend a moment donating, where ever you feel it’s needed most. And if you know another parent or carer of an autistic child, please reach out and talk with them. They probably dont want to hear that ‘you know how they feel’ or ‘it will get better*’, they just need an ear to listen. The diagnosis process is scary, and the future even scarier.

    *But it gets better, it really does.

    Category children, family, geekery, health, money, pictures, william | Tags: | 4 Comments

  4. Improving

    October 23, 2010 by sunrisesister

    Well, the most difficult 6 weeks of my life (yes, not an exaggeration) just passed. I cant believe just how much has happened. The pain, the tears, and the sheer difficulty of doing the most mundane things. I have often said that I would take 6 weeks of early labour over this experience.

    The good news: I am doing well, and making great progress every day. Today I was able to get out of bed, unassisted, shower, and dress myself with a little difficulty but managed with a little perseverance. (Undies, BBQ tongs, anyone?) I did this with no pain meds in my belly, and without mobility aids. I sent them all back, yes, even the walker. I was able to walk (slowly, wobbly, wonky) to the kitchen, make a cup of tea, and get both it and I to the sofa. Yesterday I went to physio at the hospital, after being discharged from hospital in the home the week earlier.

    The bad news: I suffered a setback in physio this week. Nothing too major, but I didnt react well emotionally. My physio was trying a new exercise, laying on my bad side and trying to activate the muscles on my right. Bad idea. My back went into total spasm, and I was screaming (and swearing profusely) and generally making a dick of myself. The physio felt awful, tho, and sent me home (and didnt charge me!) – i had to use a frame to get back to the car, and I cried and cried and cried. Horrible. But a day of rest, and I was back to where I was.

    I cant drive, still.

    I cant carry or lift the baby.

    However, I am still breastfeeding. We had an emergency about two weeks ago, and N had to offer her a bottle, which she refused. I guess that decides that. Also, this child will feed standing on her head, if she has to. (Lucky)

    Emotionally, I am frustrated. I feel like a horrible burden, and wish I could do more – even just the housework. N has been amazing, and so have my friends and also J who came and stayed for some weeks to help. Not being able to have my independence, not being able to go and visit friends, it’s all taking its toll.

    But I am so grateful to finally have some relief from the acute pain I was in. From being in hospital unable to move, on morphine then endone 4 times a day plus more, to be able to get by on nerofen and panadeine is incredible. Physio has been such a powerful tool in learning how to move and walk again. I still have a long way to go.

    But for now? I can (kindof) make the bed, I can delegate jobs to the kids, I can feed the baby, I can even do some light dishes. I can even make an ommelette. I strive to do something small, every day that i couldnt before.

    The reality is, I am recovering from a spinal injury. The injury is still there. I have to realise this and treat my body with the respect it needs. I am not immortal. I am using muscles I didn’t know I had, and some I had forgotten existed. The emotional and mental health side of things, however, needs even more work. Not sure where that comes on the list of priorities, tho.

    Category catching up, children, family, health | Tags: | 1 Comment

  5. Ugh: Ravelwealth Monkey

    October 20, 2010 by sunrisesister

    This is my first UGH in a long time! I cast on eager and full of good intentions and motivation in Going for Gold Gold Gold, but in my usual style, I tripped and fell in my own event. But it wasn’t the pattern, the knitter, or anything, it was the yarn, and the most hideous colour pooling. Ever.

    One side, looking loud, but okay!

    UGH!!!!

    The yarn is colinette jitterbug, in jamboree. Eye-blisteringly loud, but this was unexpected!

    Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.

    Sticks: 2.5mm Knitpick sock DPN’s

    No idea what this naughty yarn will be, or what I can make to avoid this happening again. It’s gone back into the stash, to marinade and think about what’s done,

    (Please excuse blog weirdness, I am testing a new blogging platform from the iPad)

    Category catching up, health, holidays, knitting, pictures, ridiculous | Tags: | No Comments

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