October 27, 2006

It has been a busy week!
First, a note about the website. The "Guestbook" and "Mailbag" features have been removed. I appreciate all the warm, caring notes of support! If you will send your notes to Sharyll (sharyllem@claudiasfamily.com) she will see that I get them. I am compiling a scrapbook of memories and some of the emails and comments I've received will be included. Your love and support mean so much to me!
Second, about our DISNEY trip! Christopher is still glowing over TOUCHING Mickey Mouse! It was truly a dream-come-true trip for him. We didn't go on too many attractions...Christopher mostly wanted to see all the cool things around and to MEET THE CHARACTERS! As you can see in the pictures we got to meet quite a few and he had a great time! The best part of the trip by far, was seeing the joy and delight in Christopher's face! Yes, there is "magic" to be found at Disney! We saw a huge improvement in Christopher's language while we were there.
I rented a scooter for myself (Christopher was in his wheelchair) while we were in the parks and I am SO glad that I did. The scooter allowed me to enjoy the time to the fullest extent of my ability. Without it, I would not have been able to see and do all that I did. Just being in the heat (110+ degree heat index) was draining enough.
Christopher's favorite thing besides the characters was "Its a Small World". We actually went through that attraction twice. He was enchanted by the dolls and music.
We also rode Aladdin's Magic Carpet, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Peter Pan's Flight and the Walt Disney World Railroad. We went through the Haunted Mansion with disasterous results (Christopher was terrified and it took 3 hours of riding the monorail to bring him 'down off the ledge').
We went through World Showcase at EPCOT and Christopher loved the Japanese Drummers! We saw a fife and drum corp at the American Pavilion and Christopher loved it and even helped when they said the Pledge of Allegiance. We were grateful for the jumping fountains in EPCOT because it was SO hot! Christopher ran through them fully clothed and was able to cool off! We saw an awesome Fire Safety exhibit in Innoventions East. Liberty Mutual sponsors the exhibit and it was awesome! They have a full-size firetruck complete with equipment, a fire safety house (where they use a red spotlight to be a "fire" in different parts of the house and teach the kids how to get out alternate exits). We compteted in an interactive house where you use special "flashlights" to find fire hazards and acrue points for all that you find. Of course, our team won! ;0
We took a chance (risking serious overstimulation at the end of a rough day -- the same day we crashed and burned at the Haunted Mansion) and were able to get a last minute seating at Chef Mickey's Character Dinner in the Contemporary Resort. It was AWESOME! Christopher LOVED it. That said, he didn't eat ONE BITE of food, but he had FUN.Eating was a challenge for Christopher at Disney. Between his very limited repertoire of food and all the excitement and the heat....well, lets just say I am SO glad that we took Pediasure with us! We fed the Pediasure to him out of a 20cc syringe and he took it like "medicine" but at least it kept him from his "hypo" meltdowns!
We are so blessed to have been able to go to Disney. While not everything was streamlined, pleasant and easy on the trip, the joy Christopher experienced was worth it ALL! He is still OVER THE TOP with excitement (Mickey, Mickey, Mickey, Mickey, Mickey!!!!).