With her early morning, crackly voice and a nauseous stomach from exhaustion the day before, she answered, "We'll get up and have breakfast."
"What's breakfast's name?"
"A poptart," she stated.
"Who's gonna have a poptart?" he repeated.
"Dominic is gonna have a poptart," she patiently answered.
"For?" he asked.
"For breakfast."
"Who's gonna have a poptart for breakfast?"
She smiled and said, "Dominic is going to have a poptart for breakfast."
"What we doin' today, Mommy?"
"We're gonna have breakfast, then get up and get dressed and go to Nan's."
"Where we goin'?" Dom asked.
"To Nan's," she stated.
"We gonna watch iCarly at Nan's house?"
"I don't know, maybe."
"Mommy, what we gonna watch?"
"Maybe iCarly, if it's on."
"Can I mow?"
"We'll see."
"What we gonna see?"
"We'll see if you can mow if it's not too muddy."
"Where we gonna mow?"
"At Nan's house."
Dominic hops away, and gazes out the living room window for a few minutes before standing directly in front of the tv to watch his iCarly video. He's occupied for a little while, so his mama goes into the kitchen to get breakfast. She reaches into the cupboard and grabs the box of poptarts. She pulls a package out of the box, unwraps it, and places the poptarts on a paper towel on the kitchen table. She calls Dominic to the table for his breakfast. He doesn't come hopping in, so she peeks around the corner to get his attention away from iCarly...and he isn't standing there. Just as she heads back to the hallway, she hears him gagging. As she picks up the pace, he meets her at the bedroom door. She immediately leads him to the bathroom, smelling the obvious odor and seeing he is covered in a mess. She gets him in the bathtub, cleans & disinfects his bedroom AND the living room--bedding, walls, carpet, furniture, everything. After cleaning, she gets him all cleaned up and eventually to the breakfast table.
The tears are ready to burst out...but she knows she has to stay strong, as this is just the beginning of the day, and it's not even 6 a.m.
Family...friends...and acquaintances...this is just a glimpse of 1 day, 1 hour, in the life of the Clopton family. Are you worn out yet, just reading yet? I sure am! :) And on a GOOD day, this exact scenario is likely to occur about 4 more times.
This is the very reason we are determined to help. We are determined to do our part, and act, on behalf of Dominic. And, I need you to help, too. Together, we can make a difference. You can be a pleasant reminder to Dominic...to Steph...to Mike...to keep going, even on the BAD days. You can be an integral part of getting Dominic and other sweet children the services they so desperately need and deserve.
On April 2, 2011 I will be walking in the Autism CARE Walk for my sweet "Honey-Honey-Lovey-Lovey," Dominic Alexander Victory! The CARE Program is an exceptional program that provides much needed services and support to families and children in our area. By walking and helping to raise money in support of Heartspring's CARE Program, I can make sure that families affected by autism spectrum disorders can continue to receive the support and services that they so desperately need. Autism is very close to my heart, and I'd like to ask you to make a pledge to support me. It's really easy! Just click on the link in the bottom of this post to go to my CARE Walk Campaign page and make an online donation to support the CARE Program and families affected by autism spectrum disorders!
I really hope you'll choose to join me with your donation! Every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential and for 75 years, Heartspring has provided that opportunity to thousands of children with special needs.
Did you know?
Autism costs the nation more than $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, Diabetes and Cancer combined!
Despite ongoing research there is still no cure for autism. Autism now affects 1 in 110 children, and 1 in 70 boys.
Check out my CARE Walk 2011 fundraising page: http://www.my.heartspring.org/campaigns/294, or make a pledge to support my campaign: https://my.heartspring.org/pledge/294
If you prefer not to use the online page, feel free to mail me a check...make it out to Heartspring, and I will get your donation included in my campaign!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME HELP DOM!!!
xoxo,
Sarah
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