| Author | Message | ||
     Sheryl Member Username: Sheryl Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 98.193.207.128 |
My son has been hunting/fishing with Brigid for the past year. He has Aspergers, which is a high-functioning form of autism. He was not diagnosed until the summer of 4th grade. I was relieved to finally find out what it was, yet truly devastated at the same time and wondered what I had done to cause it and what can I do to make things easier for him! If you ask him, "Ms. Brigid is one SPECIAL lady!" From day 1 of meeting her, or should I say talking to her on the phone, Hunter has loved Ms. Brigid. He is a completely different child around her and during her events. I can remember the first event he attended. It was a deer hunt in IL. He was so excited about going on his first hunting trip, and I as a single mom was very excited to find someone to step in and take him for me! I was truly amazed at how different he acted on this hunt. He actually talked into the camera, cut up with his guide, and ran around with some kids his age when we got back to the hotel! It was GREAT to see some normalcy! You see, with autism there's very little eye contact, many social issues (he had a hard time carrying on a conversation about anything other than fishing!), and a very hard time "cutting up" because they struggle with reading body language. With every hunt I have seen confidence grow within him, even at school. It has been truly awesome to sit back and watch! The biggest change though has been after the black bear hunt he just got back from about 3 weeks ago. Well, after we got back a few of the teachers at school were very excited and really bragged about him. All of the kids began talking to him about it! Hunter really felt important and could now talk to these kids about things he really knew about - hunting and fishing! This is exactly opposite of the way many of the kids treated him in the past. They used to push on him and call him "fish boy", hit him, trip him, and make fun of him all the time! As a matter of fact, a few days after we were back Hunter came home all excited. He said, "Mom, an old friend talked to me today. He asked me about my bear." When I asked him what he told this "old friend", he replied, "I told him Yep, I sure did shoot a black bear and I did it with one shot, too!" Hunter has also made some truly special friendships with each guide that has taken him hunting or fishing. He thrives for male attention due to not having a father figure involved in his life. Hunter calls them several times a month to keep in touch! I could never thank them enough for the way they've touched his life - he truly loves each of them! I know that my son is always going to be "a little different", but if I can help him pursue his passion ( a long with the help from another truly special mom - Brigid) then I have no doubt that he will be a successful adult. Not only that, but he will probably have a job in this area of interest that he will be VERY good at and be able to enjoy at the same time. Other than loving him unconditionally, this is my job as a mother! Thanks Brigid for all you do for these kids! Who would have ever thought that allowing these kids to enjoy the outdoors would bring such miracles! As Hunter says, "She's (Brigid) is truly an angel isn't she, mom?" | ||
| Dan_hall Member Username: Dan_hall Post Number: 47 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 66.68.71.79 |
We worship an amazing God who can manifest his love through his children in many awesome ways. This link has a story in it that really explains alot in simple terms. I hope that you and Hunter enjoy it. Dan http://mywebpages.comcast.net/singingman7/Twinkies.htm | ||
| Autry Member Username: Autry Post Number: 452 Registered: 11-2002 Posted From: 4.227.32.6 |
Amen! Thanks Dan for your post. | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 378 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 67.54.181.132  |
In Exodus 33, we read about Moses intimacy with God. Moses asked, “Do let me see your glory”. God answered, “I will make all my beauty pass before you and in your presence I will pronounce my name Lord”. He goes on to say, “But my face you cannot see for no man sees me and lives”. God tells Moses, “I will remove my hand so you can see my back, but my face is not to be seen”. What we are told is man can see God’s glory as reflected in all of creation wither it’s the woods, lakes, or the sky. Through these hunts I firmly believe the recipient is getting personal experience with he who created him through the beauty of the animals and environment we live in. Stewards of God’s creation who pour so much of their lives into taking care of the needy as well as the animals are simply doing God’s will that was spoken over three thousand years ago. Brigid O’Donoghue |
