My Punky

My son, Aidan, has been Punky since he was in diapers.  Somehow we gave him that nickname and it stuck like glue.  Many people write about how their inspiration to get healthy is for their children.  I can attest that this is true for me, but Aidan has motivated me in different ways.

For those of you who do not know Aidan, I must tell you, he is one of the sweetest children you would ever want to meet.  He is loving, affectionate, polite, and sensitive.  He is an honor roll student and has a junior green belt in martial arts.

Aidan getting his green belt recently. 

Aidan and his awesome martial arts coach, Mr. Geers.

Aidan is also mildly autistic.  When he was four years old, we began the evaluation process for Autism because we had some serious concerns about him behaviorally and emotionally.  Through the testing, he was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).  What is this, you may ask?  Well, PDD-NOS is a diagnosis given to individuals who display several autistic qualities, but not enough to be diagnosed as having Autism or Asperger's.  Through multiple therapies and interventions, Aidan's behaviors have improved.  At his last visit, his doctor was so impressed by his high performance at school, that she felt it may be necessary to lift the PDD-NOS diagnosis.  We were thrilled, but Aidan still has different behavioral and emotional quirks that we have to deal with in a special way.

Why am I tell you all of this?  Well, it occurred to me how hard Aidan has had to work to accomplish what he has accomplished in his young life.  There have been no short cuts.  No one has given him any special favors or free passes.   If this little guy can work so hard to get to where he needs to be, then there is no reason that I can't.

Aidan is my inspiration.