As some of you may or may not know, I have a 15 year-old daughter who has autism.  This past week has been very difficult for me for a number of reasons.

I have partnered with a psychiatric social worker, Jacqui, who is totally interested in working with Alexa.  I feel fortunate to have met her and can’t wait to get started.

She says Alexa shows tremendous potential, however, she relies heavily on me to help her out in social situations.  Jacqui and I are both in agreement that Alexa needs lots of work to get her ready for the real world.

I read that that parenting a child with special needs requires the discipline and dedication of a world class athlete, one whose event is played out not on the field or in the gym, but in the halls of schools and doctor waiting rooms.  Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it?

I am resigned to the fact that I must make peace with coming to the conclusion that in order to help my daughter live her life on her terms, I must abandoned everything I thought would have and could have happened.

It is really killing me that she will probably be best suited to live as an adult in a group home.  While that sounds scary, it will give Alexa a chance to become independent which is what my goal is for her.  On the other hand, all I keep thinking about is the baby I took home from the hospital and watched grow up. Unfortunately her childhood was different from what I knew.  I have tried to do the best I possibly could, given the circumstances I have been given and I’m not ready to give up but just accept that this is how its gonna be.

It sucks and I’m mad but I know that won’t help any of us.  I must channel my energy on focusing on what I can do for myself.  I have established a pretty good routine of exercising and making sure I eat clean.  I set goals each week and focus on the task at hand.  Sometimes its not easy but I look forward to the structure it provides. 

I am learning that the Secret to De-Stressing is to make and take one hour for myself every day.  I can do that!  I am currently focusing on a 90 day program called TurboFire.  If you'd like more information, check out my event page on FB here:  http://bit.ly/9tErvE.  To learn more about the Beacbody products I love, use and distribute, click here: http://www.maria365.com