Preparation
- Determine day and schedule time off
- Reread directions for harness
- Advise school that we would pick up Mikey after lunch
- Prepare name badge (autism ribbons above "Mikey" on one side; cell phone numbers on the other)
- Prepare story-with-pictures for Mikey, outlining where we were going and The Rules
- Check Web site of park for accommodations - if any - for special needs kids
- Take shorts and BRIGHT t-shirt
The Big Day
Drive to school; sign in. Mikey knew only that he was getting early dismissal - it was very important that we not promise something, on the off-chance it would not be delivered.
Signed in at desk. School got Mikey ready to leave. Mikey sees us for the first time.
"Hi, Grandma! Hi, Aunt Evie!"
"Mikey, say, 'Good-bye.'"
"G-Bye!"
"Good-bye WHO? What's my name?" (try to get eye contact)
More tries; finally, "Good-Bye, Danielle."
"He's dressed pretty warmly." "That's Ok; we brought shorts and a t-shirt." Shared name badge, harness. School asks if we want to start work there Thursday? :-)
Change Mikey's clothes - he gets in the car and puts his seat belt on - he is really good about that. "Mikey, do you know where you're going?"
Hand him page 1 of the "story" about this trip. He reads thru Page 1 (which ends with "Mikey gets his surprise."); he grabs page two off the front seat and exclaims, "[name of amusement park]!"
Off we go! "Mikey, [repeating from the story], first we stop at the rest room; then we go to the gate to get tickets; then we go in the park; then Mikey can ride!"
First challenge: althought there is a stated policy for "special assistance passes," the policy is that if there are more than 2 people, it constitutes a "party" and at least one person must wait in the regular line. The "special assistance" guests can go in the exit and join the person at the front of the line.
We go to the log ride; Evie waits in the line and I take Mikey on a mine train ride. Mikey clings to me as we go through one area - but I am not sure if he was afraid of the dark - he likes the dark - or if he was just trying to block noise by putting his ear on my shoulder. He was very good; did not try to stand up or anything.
Back to log ride; took him up exit. Wait. Fuss. Pull. Tug. "Mikey, wait for Aunt Evie - there she is!"
Climb in; very cooperative.
Up-up-Whoosh (small).
Around, around; faster, faster -- dark cave! Whoosh - II (medium).
Around "mountain" scenes. "Wolf!" "Bear" "Fox!" (just the animals; not the people-figures)
Climb. CLIMB. CLIMB! WHOOSH! (the big one) and SPLASH at the bottom.
"Did you like it, Mikey?"
"AGAIN!!!" We go to the "rapids" ride - Mikey keeps asking for the log ride. 90 minutes. Evie in line; Mike and Grandma wander.
Younger childrens area with cartoon theme; Mikey wanders; asks for grocery store (? never figured it out). Take disappointing "balloon" ride.
Text Evie - almost. Wander back to rapids.
OOPs line longer than was obvious. Try to wait. Mikey fusses. People stare. 20 mintes. Ride breaks down. AARRGGHH!
Back to Log Ride; Evie tried to leave rapids ride.
"Log Ride!"
"Long line, Mikey - can you wait?"
He tries to go in the "short cut" (exit) but I make him wait in line. 45 minutes. Lots of fussing; no screaming or other issues. Finally! We make it.
On the last high climb, he holds his hands up above his head; on the way DOWN he grabs the rails.
Evie had gone to wait in a different line for a free-fall water ride "plunge." She was most of the way through. Neither of us had been on this ride before.
Relatively short wait.
Get in.
Rigid shoulder harness comes down, over shoulders, to mid-riff; strap from the floor, between legs, locks in. We are stripped of anything that is not fastened down, including glasses. Evie and I are anxious (anxious? "What were we thinking!!!")
Ride starts. Up, up, UP (inside my head "LEMMEE OUT!")
Closed my eyes. Listned to rider Screams. PLUNGE. My (personal) bottom is not touching the ride seat!! Harness holds. S P L A S H . Drenched.
... and the voice beside me says, "AGAIN!!" We go off the ride - Evie and I still catching our breath. Mikey asks for horses. We go towards a Western museum in the park and I realize I can't find my phone. It had been in my pocket. Did it fall out in the "plunge"? Did I leave it back there?
Evie goes to look; I keep Mikey at the museum.
Mikey wants to leave, and we can't. Work with him. Lady in the museum gives him a souvenier coin, after asking if it's OK.
Shift change; older gentleman who has no idea what to do or not to do with an autistic kid ignores us totally. Mikey fusses. Tries to leave. Starts to scream.
More screaming. Tries to get away. Harness holds.
Tries to get on floor to hit his head on the floor - it's concrete. I hold the harness so his head doesn't touch.
Gets up. Go just-outside the museum. He tries to go. Screams for 2 minutes. Body slams me; 2 times hits his head on my chin - I can see the bruise today.
Finally, Evie is back - no phone.
Mikey has decided it is time for "Truck. Mama's house." We agree.
Mikey is calm and cooperative. We stop at a store; Mikey picks up 2 stuffed horses. "Pick ONE, Mikey." Aunt Evie buys it for him. We go out of the park and spot an "ice cream dots" vendor and get Mikey a cup.
Mikey is calm and happy. Kisses and hugs. Off to truck.
Mikey gets in; sits down; puts on seat belt.
On the way home we call and cancel the phone service.
Home. "What was your favorite ride, Mikey?"
"Log Ride."
We spent about 4 hours total in the park. More than we thought we would and all things considered, this was a highly successful adventure.
Evie and I go to dinner and both order a drink.
Later, Evie calls. "Mom, I have your phone! It was in my bag!"
I guess we put it in SOME TIME and just both forgot.
1 comment:
It sounds like the two of you had a not too bad day, and he had a very good day overall. It's nice that he got to ride the rides and have a change in scenery. Thanks for these postings. I really enjoy reading them. Love and kisses, Lori
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