New Year, New Blog!

Well having abandoned my blog for quite some time, (mainly due to being lured away by the instant gratification that is Face Book) we have decided to blow the cobwebs off and give it a revamp. I say "we" because Hot Hubs has decided to get involved and will be lending the often over-looked Dad's voice to proceedings. As you can see from the revamp, it'll be a whole lot more personal and about the whole Highland Madness family.

Buckle up for the rollercoaster ride that is our life here in the Highlands!

Another Book Recommendation...

Lydia's second book is available from Lulu.com today - I did a blurb for it and the draft I read was illuminating.

Click HERE for your copy

What's for you won't go by you

On the basis Lexie is for Lydia, see this link.http://www.giveforward.com/bringlexiehome

Where have I been?

Woken at 4am by next doors cows in our hay field.

Whare have I been? Up to my neck in life, that's where! Between SOAR charity funding crisis, kids crisis and trying to stay afloat this blog hasn't even made it to the outer limits of my radar, so time for an update.

Scrumpy is still having a lot of seizures and is on yet another drug regime which thay know will only be a tempoaray fix if it works but hopefully it will take us to the point of having the VNS fitted, for which we now have funding thanks to the NHS. It's grasping at straws and I think it serves more to focus our attention and make us feel we're doing something than actualy achieving better seizure control. Everything crossed for the VNS working...

Bear has started having more seizures too and as the mood leveling medication wasn't working significantly she's coming off that so we're back to a bit more sweaty bouncing and even less sleep.

Both girls are doing well though, it's not all doom and gloom! We're having fun in the holidays with lots of beach trips and a visit to Landmark yet to come.

Staff has been an issue with one new member leaving us early - I won't say I sacked her but it just wasn't working. The rest of the team has settled down though and in the wake of Surfer girl leaving us we're in a new normal.

We have a new dog - Mickey - who has bonded with Bear in a big way and I will be contcating the service dog traiing people to get some help in developing that. Don't panic, Meg is still with us caring for my sanity and getting way too excited at the mere mention of cake and candles.

Birds are all still with us although it has been a terrible year for ducklings so far as none have survived. We have two birds sitting at the moment so fingers crossed we'll have some success.

Bruce still thinks he should be a house cat. No change there!

My friend and felow autism Mum Michelle has finally found the time and courage to publish her memoir - click herehttp://http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffullsoulahead.com%2F2011%2F07%2F25%2Fintroducing-daughter-of-the-drunk-at-the-bar&h=iAQBZe9MK - she's a lovely person and does great things with her kids after a dodgy start in life so it promises to be a well written interesting read

This is something you could do...

People often ask what they can do for me, or say they wish they could help the girls. Well, there is something and my friend Michelle put it very well so over to her.

Click here

I've talked about Lydia before and regulars will know she has given me insights and perspectives on aspects of autism I could never have learned if it weren't for her. So, if you want to help, here's something you can do.

I just found this on another blog...

Why the Dichotomy

I am often

Only who I'm not

But you don't care

As long as I have words for you.

You can't understand

(Through no fault of your own?)

That who I am

Is not the me you see

Do you want to work on that?

They ask

No I don't;

I want to be free

But in this world

The only freedom

Is to be

Everything you aren't

I read this and it struck so many chords on so many levels I thought I'd share it with you. Think about how you are around autistic people. Think what you ask of them. Think how you let them be, if you let them be. That question "Through no fault of your own?" Ask yourself that and answer truthfully.

Read and inwardly digest

A message from Lydia... read this