HAWAIIAN SON-RISE: Ka'eo Jr's Journey Out of Autism
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The "Good NO"

5/8/2012

3 Comments

 
My amazing family inspired me to write this tonight:
 
I’m cleaning up our Son-Rise Program Playroom as I overhear Jackie asking Ka’eo Jr if he wants to get out of the bath tub yet. The next thing I hear is our once non-verbal little Ka’eo Jr say a determined, clear, and confident, “no!”
 
Jackie immediately celebrates him and says, “Oh Ka’eo, that’s a good ‘no’!”

I smile to myself as I continue to clean up.  Then it dawns on me: I wonder just how many households in the country exist, where there is such a thing as a “good no”?
 
Seriously, how many times across America does a child say “no”, and his parents or caregivers celebrate and say, “Oh that’s a good no!”? Probably not many, huh?  Well, I can tell you, without a doubt where the “good no’s” live in our country. 
 
In every Son-Rise Program house, because we believe in celebrating every communication our child with autism attempts.  We celebrate every independent thought, every word they’ve understood, and every step they take on the bridge they're building back toward our world.  

I haven’t blogged in over 6 months, and THIS is what has brought me back to the keyboard, back to wanting to shout it out to the world. THIS….this CELEBRATION of the Son-Rise house.  Such a RARE gem in our fast-paced, what-I-have-is-never-enough society. 
 
What is a Son-Rise Program house?   Well, I can tell you, it isn’t JUST a place where families MOVE MOUNTAINS to help their children climb to their highest potential.  It isn’t JUST a place where negativity doesn’t matter, doesn’t stop us, and doesn’t hold us down.  It IS a place where RESPECT and ACCEPTANCE rule, where LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL.
  
It is a place where TRYING is the goal!  It’s a place where kisses and hugs are not only a daily occurrence but a 40-times-a-day occurrence!  
  
It's a place where silly hats, over-sized sunglasses and stickers are the daily uniform.  Where we look to our children for the answers of how to help them, because THEY know themselves best!  Where we do not apologize for doing the best we can.  Where it is understood, the difference between a weed and a flower is only a judgment.
 
I'm smiling now, as I enjoy how fantastic it is that in our Son-Rise house, you can randomly break out into song and dance whenever your heart desires...and when you do...everyone joins in!
 
Some people pity us and think "what a tragedy it must be to have an autistic child".

To that, I press my finger to my lips and say, "shhhh...don't tell anyone but it's actually our little slice of heaven on earth.  Where a real-life little angel lives.  Where miracles…happen...every…day."
 
To the Son-Rise Program families across the land. Cheers to you and your undying courage.  Cheers to you and your limitless belief in your children and in yourselves.  Cheers to you for being unstoppable Forces of Nature.

My love for you all is endless, and our friendship and brotherhood is forever!
 
Me Ke Aloha,
"Mr. Daddy"
3 Comments
Michele robbins link
5/10/2012 04:30:39 am

Amen! Our Sonrise anthem!

Reply
Janet Sese link
5/11/2012 01:15:31 am

Hi Jackie & Ka, I heard the Sonrise Program thru my childhood bestfriend Desiree Penetrante (wife of Greg Penetrante) from San Diego, they actually directed me to your website. And all I can say is ~ WOW !!! I am so amazed.
My son,Kurt was diagnosed May last year ~ as many other parents, we tried various programs ~ and still feel like something is missing. I got the Sonrise starter pocket ~ & still reading the books and aready listened to most of the CD's ~ I was so motivated as a parent & I believe I can do more for my son ~ and I think I found what was missing ~ the empowerment ~ but I know from the very beginning that I know my son so well than anyone else. To cut the story short - I shared all this information to my husband & he is more willing to move on to this direction.
Please continue to share Ka'eo Jr's Sonrise Journey~those are wonderful.
Its a pleasure meeting you both & your beautiful son:-)

Reply
Nichola link
6/21/2012 05:01:28 pm

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! Excellently put Ka'eo. I haven't written a post for my blog for about 6 months as well, but that's because I'm so busy with our son transitioning to school part-time now.

It's almost 4 years since we started our program. At that time our son couldn't even leave the house. Now he has friends over, plays at their houses and goes to school for part of the week. Son-Rise ROCKS!

LOVE your enthusiasm and the whisper you tell your friends. It is so true. Love to you, your wife and your son. Nichola xo

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    Jackie and Ka'eo Griffin Sr. are the authors of this blog.  We want to recourd our journey with our first born son, Ka'eo Jr, as we work together towards his recovery from autism.  Mahalo for reading.  Please share your thoughts with us!

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