SOAR Robbie SOAR

The Seneca Occupational and Adult Readiness (SOAR) program is meant to help students build career and life skills for real-world independence. While the program takes place inside Seneca High School, Robbie is quick to remind everyone that this is SOAR—not school. He is done with high school. He is a grown adult now, after all. At least, that’s what he tells me.

At SOAR, Robbie has jobs. Real ones. He works in the store they’ve created, carefully inventorying items and making coffee for teachers. In October, he began his first official rotation at the library—the job he has talked about for years. A quiet space. Surrounded by books and movies. Clear expectations. Specific tasks. It feels like a place made just for him, a place where his strengths can finally breathe.

The beginning was hard. The very first day, his anxiety took over. He refused to go and became aggressive. The first half of the year was heavy—filled with frequent aggressive incidents, both at school and at home. There were moments when everything felt fragile, uncertain, exhausting. But as we moved into the second half of the year, medication adjustments were made, and slowly—almost quietly—Robbie began to find his rhythm.

Tuesdays are library days now. There are field trips to ShopRite, where he practices life skills most people take for granted. He’s found unexpected enjoyment working in the cafeteria. He still struggles with the noise—“the kids are too loud,” he tells me—but he’s managing. And sometimes, managing is a huge win.

This year, he chose not to participate in Unified Basketball. That one was hard for me. I’ve always loved watching the team, loved seeing him be part of something so joyful and inclusive. But it was his decision. And he’s 19 years old. A grown adult—something he reminds me of often.

Watching him step into this next phase of life is equal parts terrifying and beautiful. There is grief for what was hard, relief for what is finally working, and hope—real hope—for what comes next. Independence doesn’t arrive all at once. For Robbie, it’s coming in pieces. And right now, that feels like enough.

Life Move Pretty Fast

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

That quote feels especially true right now. Somehow, Robbie has graduated from high school. My little boy, who once filled the house with Bee Movie references, is now 19 years old. Or as he likes to say, “I’m a grown adult.” And he’s right.

After graduation, Robbie had a job placement at a flower shop—two hours a week for four weeks. I half expected him to make reference to Bee Movie, but nope. He took the work seriously. His job coach told me he was a pleasure to have and an asset to the team. And Robbie himself said, “I love doing my job.”

Now, we’re looking ahead. This fall, Robbie will begin the SOAR program at Seneca, where he’ll stay until he’s 21. That’s only two years away. Honestly, the past few years have been such a whirlwind—complicated even more by the stress of divorce—that plans which should have made were not. Sitting with yet another attorney recently, I was reminded of the gaps. The truth is, there’s no roadmap. Just two parents who can’t even be in the same space together. And that’s something I carry my share of responsibility for.

But here’s the part I hold onto: Robbie has so many gifts. Give him a clear task, and he shines. His dream jobs have shifted—from making movies, to now working in a library (he loves quiet and avoids noise). At home, when he watches movies in his room, I can’t hear a sound. His senses are something else—vision sharper than average, hearing more acute than mine.

Sometimes I think: these are the traits of superheroes. Maybe, just maybe, programs like SOAR can help him develop his powers. Because the world could use more heroes like Robbie.

And maybe—if we stop and look around—we’ll see that autism isn’t a limitation, but a different kind of strength.

I miss my Mom

 Robbie and I had a conversation a few days ago- which prompted  me to write this blog.  " Mom are you happy? Your mom is in heaven. Do you miss your mom. It was a long time ago - when I was a little kid. "   ( see picture in blog) but he went on to say -" I'm sorry about the yelling and it's my fault. I'm sorry you're not my dads wife anymore. Are we still a family?"  Of course it wasn't your fault and we are still a family. Our family looks differently than it did a few years ago- but sometimes that happens.  I love you. Your Dad loves you.  I miss my Mom but I am really happy. 

I really miss my Mom. It may sound ridiculous to say, of course I miss my mom. What I didn't expect is the gravity of the loss.  The anger and feeling of separation from the family closest to me.  The love I have for my sister and brother - there are no words. They have been a constant source of  support throughout my life and especially throughout the  journey of our mothers sickness and death. Yet - it has been challenging for all of us to feel connected in the way we always have. Maybe because of the loss of our mother- the glue that kept our family together.  Maybe because we can no longer complain about how harsh her comments were-  and yet always true - lol!!  We all just miss her.   The intense emptiness of missing my person- the one I could confide in. The one who - literally- was always so annoyingly right. The one who supported me the best way she could through a difficult marriage and helped me through a painful divorce.  I miss her.

 What happens when I find my new person?  I wish I could talk to her. I want her to meet him. I want her to know I'm ok. Of course- being honest- there is always the voice in the back of my head regarding Robbie. He will be with me- long term.  Special needs children are with you in a different way than other children. Robbie won't go off to college, or meet a spouse and have a family of his own. He will have his own life, but it will not be without unique challenges.  This is something she used to say to me- and I would get so angry- yet again, she was right.

Tonight - yet again Robbie asked me if I was ok. Do I miss my mom. Your mom is in heaven. I am here for you Mom.  After reassuring him that I am happy and asking how he is feeling- His response was perfect- Everyone loves me- the teachers - my Shawnee teachers- they say I'm the best.  I am happy Mom. My Gama is in heaven.  Which makes my heart so full and is completely true. : ) 

There's a lot of noise in my head

 One of the many skills Robbie is continuing to develop is the ability to express himself. This is something many us - on the autism spectrum or not- struggle with. For Robbie- much of his communication is relied in terms of movie lines or scene.  " The movies are in my head. They make a lot of noise. I say no- not again and they say yes again Robbie. Too many things in my head."  

Robbie being able to articulate this, calmly and clearly is the most important skill of all. I am so proud of how far he's come. We talked about Inside Out 2 and the additional emotions that were added to Reilly as she became a teenager.  Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui - a feeling of tiredness and boredom- were added to Anger, Fear, Disgust, Joy and sadness.   Anxiety is an emotion he has struggled with for as long as I can remember. Much of it was due to not being able to express himself. 

I should preface this by explaining how the conversation started.  Robbie came into my office where I was working, and showed me his " white shirt had a hole."  Robbie wears white t-shirts to bed with pajama bottoms every night.  Together we examined the hole. It was slightly larger than a pin hole. So small that sewing it would make it look worse. My first response was to say it's no big deal and lets just ignore it- but looking at his face I determined that wasn't the best response. He was filled with anxiety over the small hole on the back of his sleep shirt. Together we discussed what to do. Should we try to sew it? Should we put it back in his drawer? Should we discard it and order some new white t-shirts?  The third option was decided and together we picked out an inexpensive pack of Hanes XXL t-shirts from amazon.  Problem number one solved - but at that time he sat on the couch and spoke about the noise in his head.  Problem number two. 

As I listened to Robbie I realized , like many of us, he just needed to be heard. He needed my undivided attention as he explained his feelings. Once we spoke about it, he had let the emotions out of his head through his mouth.  We took a deep breathe together, and of course- " Can I have a hug?" Which is an ask that occurs multiple times throughout the day.  Then he looked at me and said- " your mom is dead. She is in heaven. Do you miss her?"  He does this often since she passed in March, and it takes my breathe away for a second almost every time.  Yes Robbie I do miss her, but I know she is watching us and feeling joy at how far you've come.

A Family's Journey- and the death and the dying

For Robbie - getting old, gray hair, sickness,  death and  the dying, as he calls it,  is a huge cause of anxiety.  Let's be honest- it is for everyone.  On Thursday January 18th, I got a call from my dad- who rarely calls me. My mom and I spoke almost daily- so there was never a need to. But on this day my mom had ,what they thought was a stroke.  After a few minutes of processing I left work and went home to pack. I assumed I would be gone for a few days- as they are 6 hours away. That visit turned into 2 weeks.

During that time it was determined not to be a stroke but Bells Palsy - which can stem from an upper respiratory tract infection. This happened while she was getting treatment for the lung cancer that ultimately took her life . So now- hospice starts, additional home care is added. Myself, my sister and my brother rotate our visits to ensure someone is there along side my Dad as we watch my mom fight through her last few weeks.  Fast forward 6 weeks - she passes away. It was too quick and also too slow.  My last visit ended Monday March 4th.  She had told me she loved me March 3rd. Those were  the last words she spoke to me. Before I left on the 4th, I told her I loved her, I'd see her soon and I was ok. I know she worried about me.  She looked me in the eye and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. The call from my Dad came the morning of the 6th. She had passed during the night on March 5th.

During that time and  the months prior, I spoke with my children about the circle of life. This was especially important to Robbie. As he refers to it - you are either young and alive - or old , death and the dying.  With autism things are black and white while many of us see shades of grey.  I laugh as I write that sentence -  Robbie will tell me the minute he sees the new growth of grey hair on the top of my head- a sign to get it colored immediately. He prefers his mom with her "yellow hair".  He does not like seeing anyone age.

There is so much else I could write about the experience of my mother's passing but things always come back to the perspective of my Autistic son. Currently, he talks about his other grandparents. They are younger than my parents, which brings him comfort.  Young and alive, as Robbie says. As I try to remain positive and not talk about the process of - the old, death and the dying it feels like its all around. It's not even working in Hospice care myself but seeing so many friends lose parents. Seeing friends battle cancer themselves. And recently telling one of my best friends she's not allowed to be that sick yet. At 50- we are too young, and selfishly- I can't bare to lose her. Young and alive. All of this is perspective.  So moving forward I am going to try and stress to my 18 year old son , who sees life through a very different lens - even as we grow older- we are alive and there is so much to look forward to. Young and alive, old , death and dying- grey hair or yellow hair- as he prefers to see mine.  This is our journey and its a beautiful thing :)

But damn- I miss my mom .............

Mom's Journey

 I have been blogging since 2009.  14 years-and it has been a journey. In March Robbie turns 18. He will remain in school until he's 21- but I am terrified.  Robbie loves all the Toy Story movies and   is  6 feet tall and 250.. He is that sweet little boy much of the time- but he is also a 17 year old man. There are hormones and emotions that he has a hard time controlling. Sometimes my son scares me.  It's hard to write about.  I worry about how life will be for him as an adult. What happens when  I am  not providing the the therapy and help needs?  Currently he's getting home based therapy once a week which is really someone sitting with him and talking to him about the pictures he's drawing or the movies he likes.  I'm also trying to get him ABA in the home after we had taken a break from it around Covid. This has become a tougher task than I had expected as there is a long wait list to get a therapist. Getting his guardianship papers are my next challenge. He will be 18 before you know it but he will still need his parents to help with medical decisions. He takes multiple medications to stabilize his moods and calm his anxiety.  The world can be a scary place for all but especially for those on the Autism spectrum. He is a small boy trapped inside a man's body. 

The question is- what will the next 14 years look like? Will Robbie live independently?  Will he be able to keep a job? Will he find a girlfriend- with yellow hair who likes watching movies and eating popcorn?  Will he be happy? So many questions and no one knows the answers. I couldn't have imagined the changes that have taken place in my life over the past 14 years.  Some incredibly challenging and some incredibly rewarding. I will hope and pray for all 3 of my children  They have friends and family who cherish their relationships. That they find love and a partner who is not only a good match for them but supports them emotionally.   They find careers that keep them rewarded and challenged. That they find time and space for self care and FUN!!

As we roll into the new year- I wish 2024 is the best year yet- for everyone :) I am grateful for the support of my family and friends as the past few years have presented newer challenges for Robbie and myself.  NYE tonight was  special. Robbie sat with Timmy and I as we watched the ball drop. He cheered with sprite and spoke about what he hopes for 2024. New York city for his birthday.................  OMG and YES!  A renewal of the hopes and dreams for all- however big and small.

                                 Bring on 2024!!!

I'm on the good list- Santa says!

 My kids are 17, 15 and 10.  I still have 1 and a 1/2 believers.......  Of course the biggest believer is Robbie. He is 17 and has autism. Santa is real, because it wouldn't make sense for him not to be. He looks for our Elf on the Shelf- or Elves- as we have 3-  every morning - to ensure they went back to report to Santa the night before.  He can't be on the naughty list. There are presents that need to be under the tree.  Each day, during the month of December, Robbie will say- " I'm a good boy- I'm not on the naughty list."  He will actually catch himself, when behaviors escalate, calm himself down- to ensure he's not on the naughty list.  Last week his therapist asked how things have been going. I paused and thought about it, which brought me the material for this blog.  Why have his aggressive / violent behaviors diminished this month?  The answer is so apparent- SANTA!!   " SANTAA! Oh my god!  Santa, here?!? I KNOW HIM!!"

If you've seen the movie ELF - with Will Ferrell - you will understand the comparison I'm about to make. Buddy the elf is a large man who is so innocent in regards to the ways of the world. He loves Santa Claus and all things Christmas. In the most simple form, he is looking for his needs to be met, and will not stop until they are. That is Robbie.  6 foot 1 and 240 +pounds - he is a big kid. He just wants his presents, to watch movies and eat popcorn.  Robbie- like Buddy- loves hugs and requests them often.  I can picture Robbie asking a girl he likes " So... do you want to eat food?'  Pure and simple- with nothing else implied - except eating food- preferable pepperoni pizza.  I can imagine having to tell Robbie " You see gum on the street- leave it there. It's not free candy." Simple but true statement from Santa to Buddy before he goes off into the world.  Robbie will apologize for his behavior after there is an escalation. He's sorry for yelling, saying the F word, pushing or hitting.  This is similar to Buddy saying " I'm sorry I ruined your lives and crammed 11 cookies into the VCR." 

My question- how can I take this simple joy and transfer it to the rest of the year?  Or as Buddy says " treat everyday like Christmas."  If anyone knows- please feel free to pass it on :)