One thing Matt and I loved to do in Mahoning County was rent kayaks on Lake Glacier. After moving to Stark County I figured there was bound to be a similar experience here. I also committed to sign Ben up for as many summer activities through the Stark Library and Stark Park systems as I could this summer. Keeping him busy is imperative if he is to continue improving with his social skills and behavior. His default is watching youtube on the couch. We have found this to be a convenient child care keeper, but a detrimental distraction from life and drain on his mind. It also contributes to more defiant behavior if we allow it for too long. This is why I vowed to keep him moving in activities outside the home as much as possible this summer. Unfortunately about two thirds of the activities I attempted to sign him up for were booked; however, we still got a nice spread of things to do and explore. So far every single thing I signed him up for he's complained when we left home. He fought me to get in the car. Some days, literally kicking and cursing. But without fail, once we get there he loves it. He still has not learned to trust us. Either that or the addiction to the screen is so great he can't process the possibility of enjoying anything else. So far we've been to the main library and checked out materials weekly. He loves this despite him hating my expectation that he read for half hour daily during the summer. In all honesty, I'm lucky if I enforce that twice per week so far...but I feel like it's good to have goals. The added benefit to visiting the Library weekly is that I am now exploring what I enjoy reading. I definitely prefer memoirs to romance fiction like I used to prefer. I actually returned a Nicholas Sparks novel after reading only one chapter. Who knew??? I love reading Glennon Doyle, and I checked out an Elizabeth Gilbert to read next. Actually, I'm going to finish a professional reading I started last year and couldn't keep up with the rest of the staff.
Besides the Library for books, we went to an Akron Zoo program at the East Canton Library. Of course there was a snake. Ben gleefully told the boy sitting next to him, "if it's a snake, you're gonna see my Mom run right out of here!" I successfully remained seated until the guy came up from behind me with it, "are you sure you don't want to get an up close picture?" No thanks, Dude, "I'm good." We also visited the McKinley Museum and were blessed with a free return ticket coupon for Ben from an elderly man volunteering at the museum. He was very taken with Ben's obsession with the model railroad. Ben knew more about the engines than anyone in the museum, possibly even the model railroad volunteer. He was not nearly as impressed with Ben's encyclopedic knowledge of 2-10-4 locomotives as the first gentleman who gave us the coupon. Matt will take him back in July when the Lego exhibition opens. We also enjoyed the VBS program "Hero Hotline" at our church. Matt and I both served as group leaders and Ben was in Matt's group as an incoming 5th grader. One more year of Vacation Bible school as a camper is all Ben has, then he's old enough to be a helper. Man how time flies!
All that said, summer's going great and yesterday we finally got to Sippo Lake Marina as I was anticipating kayaking on the lake. Of course Ben had to be bribed to go - we'll rent "Cars" on Amazon Prime if you come. He was only mildly curious. I had called ahead to make sure they'd allow me to boat with him in the tandem kayak. Mill Creek Park would only allow 2nd rider in tandem if they were at least 14 years old, but here as long as the renter is over 16 and parent waives liability, a child can paddle along. He was more curious indeed once we arrived at the Marina. Peddle Boats, canoes and kayaks were all around, but this lake was much bigger than Glacier. They got us set up in a tandem and shoved us into the lake. I had Ben ride in front. He still wasn't too sure about it until we got about halfway across the lake. Then he breathed a heavy sigh and said, "this is so satisfying." Cha-Ching! Success. Of course he wants to go every day now but I told him it would be more of a once a week treat. I'd like us all 3 to go in a rented canoe next time. I haven't ridden a canoe since 4th grade at Camp Fitch. Ben will get to ride a canoe at Camp Wanake when he returns. That was another thing he did that he was apprehensive about at first. June 9 he visited Camp Wanake for the One Day Adventure program. He didn't get to canoe, but he did get to swim (in 65 degree weather - whhoooohhh - no thanks!) But he was thrilled. I contacted the camp and requested a visit to "front load" two days before camp so he would know what to expect and Bless them they were more than accommodating. Now he wants to go to sleep over camp, so next year, that's the plan.
Navigating summer with a special needs child can be very challenging. Keeping a child with Autism busy without the structure of regular school days is at least a part time job in and of itself. I now understand why there are respite care services for persons with disabilities. We have adapted to our "normal" but I have to say it is really appreciated when someone notices our struggle and tells us, "I don't know how you do it." People who've seen Ben in his ugly state of behavior are the ones who get it. If I'm able to help even one parent by sharing our experiences, I'm grateful for the opportunity.
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