Yesterday was Fall Fest in Concordia. Last year at the Fall Fest parade, it was a disaster for Brooke. There was too much activity, and she had an autistic meltdown. I had to leave the parade early with Brooke, she was totally out of control. This year I asked Cora's sister Racheal if Cora was going to bring Brooke to the parade again. She said yes. About 15 minutes later, here comes Cora pushing the double baby stroller with Brooke and her little sister Lila. Brooke had the seat belt on in the stroller and was sitting there watching the beginning of the parade. I walked up along side her to observe her for a few minutes. She hadn't noticed me yet, to busy watching the parade. I reached down and grabbed her hand. She turned and saw me and instantly wanted out of the stroller. I undid the seat belt and she climbed out. I'm still remembering last year and thinking Brooke is going to unwind. No, she wants me to pick her up so she can watch the parade. This is both good and bad. 1st, I'm happy Brooke is enjoying the parade, 2nd, she is quite heavy and Grandpa's arms are turning to rubber. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, where is the end of this damn parade. Brooke is singing, clapping, having a great time. I am having a rubber arm meltdown. Aunt Monica takes Brooke. Relief for 1 minute, Brooke wants Grandpa to hold her again. I try giving her to mommy Cora, nope she wants Grandpa to hold her. Here comes Grandma Linda. Brooke is content with Linda holding her. After 1 or 2 minutes, Linda informs me Brooke is to heavy for her to hold. No shit, tell me about it. I try letting Brooke on the sidewalk, she dances for a minute, but cannot see the parade. I have to pick her up again to see. Where is the end of this parade? Finally, here comes the horses, the parade is over. I sit Brooke in the stroller. I am expecting her to go postal. Nope, she is unhappy, but not throwing a fit. Cora, knows the situation and is prepared. She gives Brooke a sucker from the parade and all is well again as I leave.This whole story leads me to one thought, what caused the change in Brooke from last year to this year at the parade? Brooke is still autistic. I was watching her younger cousin Mandy at the parade. She stood out front, picking up candy and running back to give a piece to Cora to give to Brooke. Then going back to continue watching the parade. I did have to hold Brooke, or she probably would take off. Yet she was greatly improved. No meltdowns, just content to watch the parade. Some say the GFCF diet is a waste and not needed. Some question the supplements. But I'm sorry doubters, Brooke is not going to out grow autism. It will not just disappear when she turns 5. The only explaination I have is that yes, the diet and supplements are helping. Brooke still has a long journey ahead of her, but is heading in the right direction. Can you imagine the happiness her mother must feel, knowing she can take Brooke to a parade, or some other large function, knowing Brooke won't meltdown like a wild animal caught in a trap? That in itself is worth the world to me.
In closing, I want to mention that I also saw Brooke earlier this week at her house. She was watching a video with animals singing and dancing. She was singing along, couldn't understand all the words, but alot of them. She was also dancing the same moves the characters on the screen were dancing. She turned, looked me in the eyes, grabbed my hands, and wanted me to dance along. Pretty good for a little girl who last year stood in front of a TV, flapping her hands like a bird trying to take off, hardly spoke a word, and wouldn't make eye contact with you. Supplements and diet don't work, yeah right.
