MAP | maciandpebble.com

 Finding Dory                      I recently took Maci to see Finding Dory in the movie theatre.  It was the second time this year and in her life she had been to a movie theatre.  Before now, going to the theatre would not have worked for her or anyone else.  We were both excited and looking forward to seeing the movie together.   I decided to write and share about my experience and surprise with the movie than about Maci’s.  The movie started and I admit I did not read or research anything about Finding Dory.  I had seen most of Finding Nemo and figured it was going to be similar.  Plus, it is a kids animated movie what could happen in it that would surprise me? As the movie got into the story of Dory when she was a baby fish, her parents said to her “Tell people you have short term memory loss”.  I thought to myself, that is strange why in the world would a baby fish tell people I have short term memory loss?  Seemed very odd to me.  I continued to watch.  Poor Dory

Best of Pals I am over joyed to be starting MAP and sharing my experiences, learnings, trials and tribulations with each of you.   MAP became an idea for me a little over a year ago in 2015.   I am a stay at home mom with my daughter, Maci, who was diagnosed with Autism in 2007.  Finding out Maci had ASD was a shock!  I had no idea how much her diagnosis would change my life.  Every dream and idea I had about raising a little girl, went out the window all at once.   In one of my support group meetings, the woman talking was an education therapist and she told us parents, "Mourn the child you thought and pictured in your mind you would have, be sad and upset and then move on".  It is so true.  Once I let go of this image and idea of having a "typical or normal" child, I was free to love and accept Maci for who she is and all her special gifts she has to offer.   Before Maci was diagnosed with ASD and I was in the early stages of being a stay at home mom.