Saturday, November 6, 2010

Runaway

Well, I have quite the story to tell tonight about my little Sam.  I hope you don't mind me sharing!  For those that may not know, Sam is my 6 year old son who was born with xxyy syndrome, a severe speech disorder and is on the autism spectrum.  He is amazing, but a lot of work!  We have definitely had our work cut out for us!  Several months ago, he started running away, every chance he got.  And I don't mean little running away, I mean he was fast, way too skilled for getting out of any locked or closed area and it seemed that that was his life mission!  He even ran away at the pool once. He told me he had to go potty, ran into the men's bathroom before I could get there and kept on going.  He went right out the other door of the facility, left the facility, discarded  his suit and life jacket in the parking lot and was later found (with the help of the police) 10 blocks away-stark naked! This was only one of many, many running escapades.  We were even suspended from the gym I attended because in one hour there, they found him in the parking lot 4 different times.  I felt I couldn't go anywhere or do anything without losing him.  I couldn't turn my head without him ducking away and dashing.  It reached a point where the police department in 3 different cities knew us way too well!

Then in September, he started a new amazing school, we bought him a puppy and we started a ticket system with him.  I don't know which three was the magic trick or if it is all three combined, but what I do know is that his desire to escape has disappeared.  He doesn't even try to run away anymore, and he is very proud, at the end of the day when he earns a WOW ticket for not running.  This has brought much peace to our home and it has been blissful.

There's the back story, now I can tell my story for today!  Mr. Pest had taken 3 of our older children to the football game.  My eldest was babysitting for a friend. It was just me, Sam and the baby at home.  We had had lunch and Sam and Noah were playing in the family room.  I was doing a few things on the computer when I thought it was a little too quiet.  I got up to check and couldn't find Sam.  I called, but immediately checked the back yard.  I called to him and the puppy, but got no answer. I ran to the front door and the back yard gate looked opened, but was leaning like it had been opened and then closed.  My heart froze in terror.  I jumped in the car and quickly drove around the close by streets.  Nothing.  I drove back, ran through the backyard to confirm that there was no Sam and there was no Buster (the puppy).  I grabbed Noah and put him in the car and we began to drive. We drove for about 15 minutes all over our neighborhood. I was feeling frantic and so alone since everyone else was gone.  I dialed 911 and gave them the usual spill!  This has become way too common.  They told me to go back home and wait for an officer.  I did and we were in the process of getting everything set up, when a neighbor from one street over pulled up. She had Sam in her van.  There was no puppy, but I was just thankful that he was safe.  He had walked to her house and walked right in!  So, after talking to the officer a bit more and Sam getting another badge sticker, we headed in the house.  I asked him where the puppy was and he pointed to the house. At that moment, I remembered that Buster had been up a lot in the night (my lack of sleep with caring for him must have altered my memory) and that he was still asleep in his kennel, in the garage.  I then asked Sam if he had come out the gate and he said no and pointed to the front door.  Well, I had been sitting by the front door, so I knew he hadn't gone out then.  I asked him why he left and he said (in his own little language of mostly vowels) "I find mommy".  Then I see the toys in his hand. They were toys that had come from his older brother's bedroom in the basement.  I may never know for sure, but I think he was home in the beginning.  He must have gone down to the basement to play and just didn't answer when I called. I was so sure he had run away that I didn't even check in the house.  So, at some point, while I was frantically driving all over the development, he had come upstairs, found us gone and went looking for me!  I can laugh about it now, and I feel a bit foolish for worrying everyone, but happy that it turned out okay!

Sorry for the epic tale, but after all the hard things we've been through with his disappearing, I wanted to record this sweet little memory of him out looking for me!

And now for the freebie of the night!  Here is the 7th piece.  By the way, Sam is my inspiration behind this kit! He LOVES trains!  So, I hope you are enjoying it!


Download HERE!  Enjoy!  And remember, I ALWAYS love when someone leaves some love!  Feel free to let me know if you are liking this, if you would like me to do this every month, etc.!  Have a great night and don't forget to change your clocks back (unless you live in Arizona or other parts of the world)

14 comments:

Shelly said...

Oh goodness gracious Ramona! My heart was racing as I was reading the story...I would have been in a panic also. Thank God Sam's safe.

(BTW, I LOVE this kit. So adorable!!)

Anonymous said...

What a touching story!! Your little Sam is just too sweet looking for his mommy! Thanks for sharing your story and for your beautiful kit! - Amy

Anonymous said...

Thank you - I am loving the kit and loving the story too - it made me laugh and cry and laugh again. I am so glad you found him safe and sound but I cannot imagine the strain you must be under every day. I can only hope the designing destresses you! Best wishes to you all *hugs*

NanaScraps said...

lol..I don't know how you do it...6 kids and you still have some sort of sanity....this is a wonderful story and should be scrapped..made me laugh and brought a tear to my eyes
.. I did a LO with this kit already and it will be posted on my blog here shortly...thanks so much for sharing your not only your talent but your wisdom in child rearing.. have a scrapalicious day

ROLAINE said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story of Sam. You are inspiration to other Mother's who have children with special needs. Your story has touch me, brought a tear to my eye and made me laugh.

I have been enjoying downloading the pieces to your fabulous kit! I hope you do this more often. It is a FUN way to collect a kit!

Again, thank you for sharing! :o)

jen said...

This kit is so sweet, but knowing that it is inspired by you dear little "Runner" makes it so much better! : ) A good friend also had a runner. I remember how she looked and felt after a "running day". Bless you and all that you do for all of your children. I was raised with a brother with MD, my husband's uncle has Downs and our nephew has recently been diagnosed with Autism. It is a special life, tiring at times, but so special. Bless you and thanks!

ej236 said...

You are such a strong person for dealing for having all the patience that you do. I commend you!

Thanks for sharing this wonderful kit!

Grannymama said...

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I have two granddaughters with Autism...both having speech problems. My daughter-in-law is home schooling the oldest, and so far is going well. My daughter-in-law is doing an amazing job with the two girls as their Daddy is in Iraq right now, serving in the Army, but will be home in March, 2011.

Want u to know that my thoughts and prayers go out for u and your family.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, what a fright for you!! Hope today is a great day for you!
Thanks for the lovely gift.

Jennifer said...

I am so sorry you had a scare like that. It's a parent's worst nightmare, for sure. We had to put keyed deadbolts on our doors (both sides of the door are keyed & we keep the key high up) and also some flip locks at the top of other doors. So far our 3 year old hasn't been able to get out yet...but he likes a challenge....

dideedoo said...

What an amazing story. I couldn't imagine the stress of having a child run away, not just once, but many times. You seem to be such a good mom and an example to so many other mothers out there. Thank you so much for the cute kit!

LOFT said...

I'm so glad it all turned out okay! It sounds like Sam's guardian angel works overtime! I mentioned it to my practical husband and immediately he wondered if you could get some sort of GPS for Sam. Maybe that's something you could check into. He said he thinks they make bracelets. It sounds like your incentive system is working well.

I put a link to your blog about your daily download on my facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000669258084 I missed days 1-3, though, so I'll have to do you some more favors to get that many days. ;) I think I signed up for the newsletter right after you sent the alpha, too. Ugh. Anyway, maybe I could get the link to one of the missed days via a facebook message? Thanks a bunch!

Sharon-Shutterbug said...

So glad everything turned out okay with Sam - losing a child, however briefly, creates such a horrible panicky feeling!!
I enjoy daily downloads wherever I can get them, but I really prefer collecting them at an individual's blog so I can get to know the designer a bit and feel a connection with her. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us!

VJ's Scrap Room said...

Thank you so much for sharing your story of Sam.So happy you shared with us.You never know who may come along and read it and be helped by something you have advised.My Niece shared a story on her blog about her daughter and them finding out she has Asperger's Syndrome.Then several people have commented or gotten a hold of her through her ministry etc. to let her know how much her story helped them with their own children.If you would like to read about it..here is the link to her blog....

http://www.shelleyhendrix.org/

You will need to scroll down to the first part and then scroll up as you read the different parts.There are six altogether.It made me cry..but I love the way my niece handled and is still handling it.:)
Thanks so much for sharing another part to your COOL kit!
Hugs,
Valinda

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