Raffy's 9th birthday!

Raffy decided he would stay 7 again this year. He's not keen on the idea of growing up.

Looks like a green and blue bird has landed on his snack!

He asked for a microscope and a crystal making kit. And a new octopus (obviously).

After blowing out his candles he put his hands together, closed his eyes and made a wish (first time). I heard him whisper "I wish to be an Octy!"

Happy birthday wonder boy! We love you Raffy X

Next step... Outreach in April 2016... Help needed!

I have a firm belief that Raffy can go the full distance with his development.

When I say that, I mean while retaining all his amazing unique perspectives and deep interests I believe he can become fully comfortable in our physical world, confident in himself and typically sociable with others.

When I look back at how far he has travelled and the challenges he has overcome (some of them life threatening), then I know when motivated he has the intelligence and tenacity to create a fully independent life filled with great experiences and happiness.

With all this in mind I have booked another Outreach with Son-Rise teacher, Gerd Winkler for April 2016 when he is over in Europe for his twice yearly tour. This time the cost converts to just over £3000 ($4650 - US dollars).

We have had two previous outreaches with Gerd - in August 2011 and April 2014. Both were invaluable. We are still paying off the one from 18 months ago. We know we need help with this one.

We pour everything we have in to helping Raffy with our time, money and expertise because we are the ones who believe in him and know him best. We have tried the the conventional routes, going through professionals and traditional schooling but their expectations are always low and their goals to do with fitting in and conformity. They inhibit rather than help and we have witnessed either a plateauing of development or outright regression. The Son-Rise model fits with our beliefs and the way we want to live as a family.

With all this in mind we have decided to fund raise to help with the costs of the next Outreach in April. Our goal is £3,000 and we have a few ideas in the pipeline.

We will be setting up a Just Giving page and organising some events. I do hope you can share this information and if it strikes a chord, donate any amount at all. It is all useful.

Many thanks for reading. 

I will be posting up a Donate button and link to the Just Giving page in the next few days. X

Elyse, our SR volunteer

Elyse is our most recent Son-Rise volunteer. She has been working with Raffy since June this year. She is so enthusiastic and loving, it is wonderful having her as the latest member of Team Raffy.

She is very keen, creative and enthusiastic. Raffy has found a true friend. It is an honour for me to be able to contribute to her training with my own knowledge and experience.

Raffy is a delight to play with in so many ways, he is very adept at creating his own simple games and has an impish, imaginative sense of fun. He can also be rigid in his thinking and challenging in the playroom. I have seen Elyse really grow herself and her Son-Rise attitude in the last few months. This enables Raffy to grow too in a deep and permanent way. Elyse is in the UK until December and then she returns to her native Canada. We will miss her!

Elyse is also looking at training to become a certified Son-Rise Child Facilitator in the future and I really think she would be perfect. She would move to Sheffield Massachusetts USA. Lots of love to you , Elyse!

Raffy Update

I can't believe it's been so long since I wrote an update.

It's bitter sweet reading going back through the posts to see how Raffy has progressed.

He still continues to be a fantastic boy and a fascinating companion. He talks a hell of a lot these days! And is fond of telling the crazy imaginative adventures that seem to spin around his head. I think they are a glimpse of a powerful inner world that soothes him and enables him to deal with the myriad of difficulties in the outside world.

He's a jokey critter too and has a very original way of talking that is both hilarious and at times very perceptive. He is still a true original.

Toileting has been well and truly conquered! Raffy is much more independent at home. He washes his hands, is starting to brush his own teeth (still has a hard time with oral sensitivities and teeth brushing continues to be a challenge), can get dressed and undressed by himself and is more helpful with cleaning up and tidying.

We have seen a positive change with how Raffy deals with mishaps and mistakes. They still have an emotional impact but he moves through them more quickly and says 'sorry' when he thinks he needs to make amends.

He is much more confident at answering spontaneous questions and chatting to other people. This has developed to the point where he is now attending the local Beavers group with his younger sister! He really enjoys it and joins in most of the games.

Raffy has a good friendship with his younger sister and they play some very creative games where they laugh loudly and a lot!

So an all round amazing kid!

Stuff that is ongoing - he is still completely barefoot. Not even worn a sock for the last year (barefoot since Feb 2013)! Doesn't want to try a school. Doesn't like trying to read or write. Even though he knows all his letters and phonics and was until recently ahead of his sister with reading. Great affinity with numbers but now doesn't want to do any more sums... He is a very anxious boy who doesn't want to fail. Will write more on this another time.

We also have a fantastic Son-Rise volunteer called Elyse - who comes to play with Raffy at least 3 times a week (2 hour sessions). More about Elyse in the next post! Meanwhile please enjoy the mixture of recent photos and send positive thoughts our way. Thank you friends for reading. X

Growing up

Autumn, barefoot, lego, star games

Autumn sunshine