Enjoy , what i think , are magnificent pics of our gorgeous Deqlan ! They were taken by the very talented Karl, on the last day of school 2010 - i love the ones with Deqlans favorite teacher in the whole world Ayline - Enjoy!
The adventures of Deqlan Ross Higgins,Our Gift from God, our neuroblastoma survivor, and now conquering autism one little leap at a time !
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Our beautiful, beautiful boy!
Enjoy , what i think , are magnificent pics of our gorgeous Deqlan ! They were taken by the very talented Karl, on the last day of school 2010 - i love the ones with Deqlans favorite teacher in the whole world Ayline - Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
School days
Deqlan has loved every moment of being back at school, every moment.
He is delighted to get out the car in the morning and doesnt even bug if i am there or if i have left - he is happy to give me my kiss goodbye and the hug i try grab before he runs off to play!
He also doesnt really want to go home when Nanna and i go to fetch him , there is just to much to do and enjoy at school!
Ayline has developed a programme and schedule just for Deqlan. Because we are so blessed that Deqlan has got the basics of the lessons down already, Ayline, takes "it up a notch" to challenge Deqlan and to teach him new things , but still around the subject of the week.
He is trying hard to write, and Ayline does many excercises with him in preparation for this big step. He even comes home and wants to practise the patterns he gets to do during the day! I was absolutely stunned to see that Deqlan can do a 1 , 2 and 3 without any assistance and can trace his name ! Its coming, its coming.....
Our little mathematician is counting to 110 , and growing every day
Deqlan also gets the chance to mingle with the "neuro typical " kids from Little Christian Village which is right next door. We are trusting that this is going to be great preparation for the big wide world, and most importantly to learn that he can have fun with other kids to, not just playing by himself and of course to learn how to share!
We are going to take Deqlan for an assesment by well know recommended, neurologist next week Tuesday so we can get his opinion on where Deqlan is on the spectrum. I also have a loonnnggg list of questions i would like to ask that i havent been able to get clear answers on this far.
For Egsample, one of the big differences with Aspergers compared to Austim Spectrum Disorder, is that you dont have a speech delay. Deqlan started talking by saying the alphabet at 2 and a half - and i know of lots of other neurotypical kids who only started talking at 2 and a half to? So is what we thought a language delay , really a language delay? Little Leaps seem to think he is Aspergers, and i do tend to agree , but would like a proffesional opinion. It will also be helpful to have the assesments done yearly , so we can compare and track Deqlans progress.
We do know , that Deqlan may have an " off" day, we do know that sometimes he doesnt react to strangers and we know that when in a strange place , he often asks us to " going home" so Deqlan may not do the things we know he can do with this Dr, that he does with us or at school.
So its very frustrating to think that he may not get the full picture of who Deqlan is in an hour, but we are going to try and go very prepared with times lines of his development, his strengths , and we are hoping to take some video clips to back up what we say he does , so he can see how amazing our Deqlan is , even if he doesnt want to be there on the day! So we will keep you posted!
And in other news.....we are moving ! Yip, we start on Sunday afternoon and will go through to next weekend, when we are hoping to be settled . We are excited to be able to use all our things again, to have our pets with us, but sad that we wont be with my mom and Dee in the evenings when Deqlan is at his best ! We will miss saying goodnight to them , and the routine we have become so familiar and comfortable with. We have felt so loved, so welcome, Mom and Dee have taken such good care of us . We are going to miss you so much and cant thank you enough for all you have done to help us, for loving us, for all the laughs, treats, support over the last 5 months! Luckily our new home is only a few minutes away and we still get to see you every day!
So we got a very very busy few days ahead of us!
We will probably set Deqlans 6 monthly check up with Dr De Jager for end February and have his ultra sound and blood and urine tests middle Feb, so please continue the prayers that Deqlan remains NED forever and always and that the tests results are normal and perfect in every way today, tommorow and always.
Please also pray for little Ylaria and Liam who fought neuroblastoma for many , many years, and were called home to Our Lord this past week. Please pray for them and their families.
Please also pray for Connor Gerber who is going to be starting a new trial
Please also pray for Nick who is in the thick of his neuroblastoma battle, searching for the next treatment that may stop it in its tracks.
And for all those around the world fighting cancer to be healed and for a cure to be found!
Have a great week everyone, thanks for checking in on us , for all your love, support and prayers
God Bless all our love
Mark Samm Deqlan Logan
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
He is delighted to get out the car in the morning and doesnt even bug if i am there or if i have left - he is happy to give me my kiss goodbye and the hug i try grab before he runs off to play!
He also doesnt really want to go home when Nanna and i go to fetch him , there is just to much to do and enjoy at school!
Ayline has developed a programme and schedule just for Deqlan. Because we are so blessed that Deqlan has got the basics of the lessons down already, Ayline, takes "it up a notch" to challenge Deqlan and to teach him new things , but still around the subject of the week.
He is trying hard to write, and Ayline does many excercises with him in preparation for this big step. He even comes home and wants to practise the patterns he gets to do during the day! I was absolutely stunned to see that Deqlan can do a 1 , 2 and 3 without any assistance and can trace his name ! Its coming, its coming.....
Our little mathematician is counting to 110 , and growing every day
Deqlan also gets the chance to mingle with the "neuro typical " kids from Little Christian Village which is right next door. We are trusting that this is going to be great preparation for the big wide world, and most importantly to learn that he can have fun with other kids to, not just playing by himself and of course to learn how to share!
We are going to take Deqlan for an assesment by well know recommended, neurologist next week Tuesday so we can get his opinion on where Deqlan is on the spectrum. I also have a loonnnggg list of questions i would like to ask that i havent been able to get clear answers on this far.
For Egsample, one of the big differences with Aspergers compared to Austim Spectrum Disorder, is that you dont have a speech delay. Deqlan started talking by saying the alphabet at 2 and a half - and i know of lots of other neurotypical kids who only started talking at 2 and a half to? So is what we thought a language delay , really a language delay? Little Leaps seem to think he is Aspergers, and i do tend to agree , but would like a proffesional opinion. It will also be helpful to have the assesments done yearly , so we can compare and track Deqlans progress.
We do know , that Deqlan may have an " off" day, we do know that sometimes he doesnt react to strangers and we know that when in a strange place , he often asks us to " going home" so Deqlan may not do the things we know he can do with this Dr, that he does with us or at school.
So its very frustrating to think that he may not get the full picture of who Deqlan is in an hour, but we are going to try and go very prepared with times lines of his development, his strengths , and we are hoping to take some video clips to back up what we say he does , so he can see how amazing our Deqlan is , even if he doesnt want to be there on the day! So we will keep you posted!
And in other news.....we are moving ! Yip, we start on Sunday afternoon and will go through to next weekend, when we are hoping to be settled . We are excited to be able to use all our things again, to have our pets with us, but sad that we wont be with my mom and Dee in the evenings when Deqlan is at his best ! We will miss saying goodnight to them , and the routine we have become so familiar and comfortable with. We have felt so loved, so welcome, Mom and Dee have taken such good care of us . We are going to miss you so much and cant thank you enough for all you have done to help us, for loving us, for all the laughs, treats, support over the last 5 months! Luckily our new home is only a few minutes away and we still get to see you every day!
So we got a very very busy few days ahead of us!
We will probably set Deqlans 6 monthly check up with Dr De Jager for end February and have his ultra sound and blood and urine tests middle Feb, so please continue the prayers that Deqlan remains NED forever and always and that the tests results are normal and perfect in every way today, tommorow and always.
Please also pray for little Ylaria and Liam who fought neuroblastoma for many , many years, and were called home to Our Lord this past week. Please pray for them and their families.
Please also pray for Connor Gerber who is going to be starting a new trial
Please also pray for Nick who is in the thick of his neuroblastoma battle, searching for the next treatment that may stop it in its tracks.
And for all those around the world fighting cancer to be healed and for a cure to be found!
Have a great week everyone, thanks for checking in on us , for all your love, support and prayers
God Bless all our love
Mark Samm Deqlan Logan
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
Prayers for Keaton
Hello Deqlans prayer army,
Please can i ask you for prayers for little Keaton – he has had such a rough week!
On Monday he fell onto the retainer wall at his house, while he was playing outside and cut his chin open. He had the wound glued together and still has many scratches and bruises from the fall
He also has had a cough and tight chest as well as high fevers from Monday, and Megs took him to our Doctor this afternoon, who is admitting Keaton for bronchial pneumonia, he is very sick, bless him.
Please friends, pray for our gorgeous little Keaton to get better soon soon, for Megs and Conrad and Nanna who are going to be taking shifts looking after him at the hospital for the next few days , and for little Khloe that she stays strong and healthy while her brother gets better
Thank you, God bless
Love Samm and family
BY JESUS STRIPES KEATON IS HEALED!
Please can i ask you for prayers for little Keaton – he has had such a rough week!
On Monday he fell onto the retainer wall at his house, while he was playing outside and cut his chin open. He had the wound glued together and still has many scratches and bruises from the fall
He also has had a cough and tight chest as well as high fevers from Monday, and Megs took him to our Doctor this afternoon, who is admitting Keaton for bronchial pneumonia, he is very sick, bless him.
Please friends, pray for our gorgeous little Keaton to get better soon soon, for Megs and Conrad and Nanna who are going to be taking shifts looking after him at the hospital for the next few days , and for little Khloe that she stays strong and healthy while her brother gets better
Thank you, God bless
Love Samm and family
BY JESUS STRIPES KEATON IS HEALED!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
For children with autism, don't set the bar too low
Lisa Jo Rudy
Not too many people with disabilities become role models for the rest of the world.
Some, like Stevie Wonder, are just so talented and able in a particular area that their disability seems to become unimportant. Stevie Wonder's musical talent loses nothing as a result of his blindness.
But others, like Helen Keller and Temple Grandin, are held up as models because they worked like demons to achieve their goals despite ongoing, extraordinarily difficult challenges. Helen Keller became an intellectual and author, in the face of almost unimaginable odds. Temple Grandin became a world-renowned expert in animal husbandry and an international speaker and writer, daily facing and conquering her very real autistic challenges.
What do Keller and Grandin have in common? Both had parents who understood and accepted their daughters' differences, but were unwilling to accept a disability as an excuse for poor behavior, laziness or self-indulgence. Both had teachers who believed in their abilities without whitewashing their challenges. And both, of course, had considerable abilities and ambition - though those qualities were not evident in their earliest years.
In many ways, we live in a culture which allows children to do less than they're able to do... and rewards children for mediocre efforts. This, in many cases, goes double and triple for kids with disabilities including autism.
All too often, well-meaning adults substitute pity and compassion for understanding and respect. Caring teachers allow children with autism spectrum disorders to step away from even the slightest social and sensory difficulties, rather than providing the tools and resources to meet the challenge. Loving parents protect their children with autism from the world, stepping in to speak and act for their child rather than helping their child to do more for themselves. Special "autism events" are set up in the community which allow children with autism to experience various settings without any hope or expectation that they will learn how to conduct themselves properly in venues like theaters, museums, zoos and the like.
Of course, not every person with autism can manage full inclusion in school or community. Nor should they be expected to do so. But, like most people, children with autism need others around them to challenge, support and cheer them on as they struggle with difficult tasks, achieve unexpectedly high goals, and cope with the ups and downs that life throws at them. When those around them step in to take over too soon, children learn that it's easier to just stand back.
A child with autism may not be able to manage the smells of the lion house at the zoo. But they may well be able to quietly watch the reptiles in the scent-free reptile house, with no need for shouting, bolting, or banging on the glass. A child with autism may not be able to manage a 45 minute grocery trip. But they may well be able to handle a quick trip, helping select a few items and put them in the cart and on the counter. A child with autism may not be able to sit through an entire puppet show, story hour or concert. But they may well be able to sit through a portion of the presentation - and then indicate that they are ready to leave without disrupting the entire venue.
Bottom line, children in general - and children with autism included - can rise to meet high expectations. It's up to the adults in their lives to provide both those expectations, along with the encouragement, support, cheers and coaching they need to achieve.
When we set the bar too low, we may do our children a real disservice.
Courtesy of Lisa Jo Rudy's blog on About.com A New York Times Company.Read more: http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/children-autism-dont-set-bar-too-low-39889223#ixzz1C3mNJaQl
Lisa Jo Rudy
Not too many people with disabilities become role models for the rest of the world.
Some, like Stevie Wonder, are just so talented and able in a particular area that their disability seems to become unimportant. Stevie Wonder's musical talent loses nothing as a result of his blindness.
But others, like Helen Keller and Temple Grandin, are held up as models because they worked like demons to achieve their goals despite ongoing, extraordinarily difficult challenges. Helen Keller became an intellectual and author, in the face of almost unimaginable odds. Temple Grandin became a world-renowned expert in animal husbandry and an international speaker and writer, daily facing and conquering her very real autistic challenges.
What do Keller and Grandin have in common? Both had parents who understood and accepted their daughters' differences, but were unwilling to accept a disability as an excuse for poor behavior, laziness or self-indulgence. Both had teachers who believed in their abilities without whitewashing their challenges. And both, of course, had considerable abilities and ambition - though those qualities were not evident in their earliest years.
In many ways, we live in a culture which allows children to do less than they're able to do... and rewards children for mediocre efforts. This, in many cases, goes double and triple for kids with disabilities including autism.
All too often, well-meaning adults substitute pity and compassion for understanding and respect. Caring teachers allow children with autism spectrum disorders to step away from even the slightest social and sensory difficulties, rather than providing the tools and resources to meet the challenge. Loving parents protect their children with autism from the world, stepping in to speak and act for their child rather than helping their child to do more for themselves. Special "autism events" are set up in the community which allow children with autism to experience various settings without any hope or expectation that they will learn how to conduct themselves properly in venues like theaters, museums, zoos and the like.
Of course, not every person with autism can manage full inclusion in school or community. Nor should they be expected to do so. But, like most people, children with autism need others around them to challenge, support and cheer them on as they struggle with difficult tasks, achieve unexpectedly high goals, and cope with the ups and downs that life throws at them. When those around them step in to take over too soon, children learn that it's easier to just stand back.
A child with autism may not be able to manage the smells of the lion house at the zoo. But they may well be able to quietly watch the reptiles in the scent-free reptile house, with no need for shouting, bolting, or banging on the glass. A child with autism may not be able to manage a 45 minute grocery trip. But they may well be able to handle a quick trip, helping select a few items and put them in the cart and on the counter. A child with autism may not be able to sit through an entire puppet show, story hour or concert. But they may well be able to sit through a portion of the presentation - and then indicate that they are ready to leave without disrupting the entire venue.
Bottom line, children in general - and children with autism included - can rise to meet high expectations. It's up to the adults in their lives to provide both those expectations, along with the encouragement, support, cheers and coaching they need to achieve.
When we set the bar too low, we may do our children a real disservice.
Courtesy of Lisa Jo Rudy's blog on About.com A New York Times Company.Read more: http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/children-autism-dont-set-bar-too-low-39889223#ixzz1C3mNJaQl
Saturday, January 22, 2011
HOWDY PARTNERS ! KEATON TURNS 3!!!
California Girls, Peyton, Khloe and Phoebe
Nan and Grandpa really enjoyed watching the kids enjoying themselves
Keaton and Oumie
Meggie going with Keaton on the horse called Danny! He was huge! So majestic!
Dont you think they make an awesome Wild West couple!
love this photo!
The "Saloon"
Keaton The Kid, you are the most gorgeous cowboy i have ever laid my eyes on!
Khloe LOVED the horses!
Logan stayed on the horses the entire party, she is a natural!
Deqlan wasnt to chuffed with his ride on Peaches as we took him out of the sand pit he was having so much fun in, to have a ride!!
Ice and Keatie
Khloe enjoying the laptop we got Keatie for his birthday!
Nanna playing with her precious grandkids
Big Boy!
Deqlan playing with Ivan - he made such an effort to get into Deqlans game of cars,and Deqlan loved playing with him!
The birthday boy enjoying his gifts!
Gorgeous, adorable Josh!
Conrad and his Spider Man!
Harlan and Kai - to sweet!
The before baby arrives photo of Grant and Coreen!!! So excited for you guys!
Deqlan enjoying the festivities!
Happy 3rd Birthday Cowboy Keaton, we love you so very very much!
Happy Birthday!
Jaimie and Reece . Peyton and Phoebe
Getting into the mood!
This was Deqlans favorite part of the whole party - Giggles, the clown , was back at Keatons party and she made a huge effort to play with Deqlan in the sandpit, he loved playing with her!
ag, our gorgeous boy!!!
Deqlan and Giggles Friday, January 21, 2011
Autism Towards the Future Conference
Autism: Towards the Future Conference:
Dates: 3-4 March 2011
Times: Day 1 0900 - 1600
Day 2 0900 - 1300
Venue: St Georges Hotel & Conference Centre, Pretoria
Rates: Full resigration and payment by 17 February 2011 R1100 per person
Registration closes 17 February 2011
We will be confirming our programme middle of next week, but in the mean while, some of our exciting topics are:
Education and Employment Opportunities for Autistic Teenagers and Adults
Parents' experiences of their marital relationships after their children have been diagnosed
Molecular biology of autism
The advantages of being diagnosed
Theory of Mind
Life long learning
We have the diagnosis. . . .now what?
You have to know where you come from before you know where you are going
Brain injury or behaviour disorder?
Grandparents. . .
Sensory Integration
AND MANY MORE!!!!
Contact: Anna at Association for Autism
Tel: 012 993 4628
email: afautism@iafrica.com
So excited , cant wait, let me know if any of you will be going so i can meet you there!
Dates: 3-4 March 2011
Times: Day 1 0900 - 1600
Day 2 0900 - 1300
Venue: St Georges Hotel & Conference Centre, Pretoria
Rates: Full resigration and payment by 17 February 2011 R1100 per person
Registration closes 17 February 2011
We will be confirming our programme middle of next week, but in the mean while, some of our exciting topics are:
Education and Employment Opportunities for Autistic Teenagers and Adults
Parents' experiences of their marital relationships after their children have been diagnosed
Molecular biology of autism
The advantages of being diagnosed
Theory of Mind
Life long learning
We have the diagnosis. . . .now what?
You have to know where you come from before you know where you are going
Brain injury or behaviour disorder?
Grandparents. . .
Sensory Integration
AND MANY MORE!!!!
Contact: Anna at Association for Autism
Tel: 012 993 4628
email: afautism@iafrica.com
So excited , cant wait, let me know if any of you will be going so i can meet you there!
' WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS! '
Nanna took Meggie and Keaton and Deqlan and I to one of her favorite places last week, THE CIRCUS!!!
Deqlan was so excited he was walking around the house saying ' WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS" and still is, and still asks to go back there!
Keaton was beside himself with excitement, he waited in the road for Nanna to fetch him and waited with her an entire hour before it started so they could keep our seats and get the tickets!!!
I was a little nervous at how Deqlan would react to a new place, lots of noise, lights, action...and as soon as the show started and the lions and tigers came out into the ring Deqlan wanted out
' its time to going home" So out went Mama and Deqlan and we walked around the parking lot - and the big yellow arches down the road, AKA Mcdonalds, were calling Deqlans name - thankfully i managed to distract him by walking through the cars, parked for the circus. I prayed so hard for us to be able to go back in and just try it one more time...and you know what Nanna and Meggie where to...and you know what...Deqlan let me take him back in, just in time to see the horses and jugglers - and he was very happy to stand to the side of the tent - he was even happier to stand with Meggy . The secret Meggie discovered, was to tap Deqlans back to the time of the music- he was more then happy to stand with her, while Keaton sat with Nanna and me.
Deqlan physically laughed and got so excited when the elephants came out, Keaton was in absolute awe, i wish you could have seen their faces.
They loved the clowns to , and Keaton and i got sopping wet when they threw a bucket of water on us. He LOVED that!
At the interval they had horse rides around the ring, and i just decide to go for it, take Deqlan, stand in the line with Megs and Keaton, and off he went onto the biggest horse like it was no big deal - his very first horse ride!!!!!!!!!!! Of course Mama had to walk next to Deqlan to make sure he sat tight, but i had the biggest smile and my heart was bursting with pride! Deqlan loved every second , almost stroking the horse and smiling - it was an awesome moment i will treasure always
The last time i went to a circus was the very day i found out i was expecting Deqlan, what a gift to have in my arms and on my lap this time!
After the horse ride, he was completely calm, completely chilled, so much so , he sat. STILL. on Nanna's lap for most of the second half of the performance!!!!
For the last few minutes of the performance I had Deqlan and Keaton sitting on my lap, Keaton with his hand holding my cheek and Deqlan holding my neck, it was AWESOME to say the least.
I definitely want to look into horse riding therapy for Deqlan in the future !!!!!!!! It seems to be so calming and relaxing for him! And i know one thing for sure, the next time the circus is in town, i wont have to convince Deqlan to go, he will gladly hop in the car saying
' WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS!!"
Thank you Mom and Meggie and Keatie for a stunning time!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Fun in the mud!
Megs and I took the boys and Khloe to the Roohuiskraal terrein a few days before school started - of course it had been raining the night before , but we didnt realise what effect this would have on the little animal farm - much to the delight of Deqlan and Keaton, there were HUGE mud puddles everywhere and they wasted no time getting down an dirty in the water, in the mud, running amongst the chickens and bunnies. They had a ball, if Deqlan could have got wetter and muddier he would have!
When we were ready to leave, a family of about 30 goats approached Meggies car and nearly jumped into it! Im not kidding! Poor Keaton was very scared and shouting for them to go away! They just so tame, they thought they may come along for a ride!
Run run as fast as you can!!
was lovely to have aunty shea with us for a few weeks!
Aunty Shea enjoying Khloe!
Khloe enjoying some time with Mark
Miss Kristen enjoying the bike!
isnt she lovely!
Deqlan loved playing with Kristen - i wish you could have heard the shrieks of laughter and delight from these two chasing each other - they loved it , it was stunning to see ! they were running so fast most of my photos are blurred!
Run , run , as fast you can you cant catch me!!
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