Author: lynettevillegas

Fun-loving, literally-diabolical, player of words, who is mother to three extremely active teen boys; Lynette Villegas, lives in sunny Florida, where she can enjoy the naturalistic peace of the salty air and dig her toes into the grainy sand.
creative · rehabilitation · reward, grit

Motivation

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What motivates you?

My motivation whelling up from the innermost depths, looking for the validation of service as I do what my inner voice craves. I strive to complete the daily vision that validates my motivation. Sometimes it’s good but sometimes it’s hard to accept the struggle, when the goal is just out of reach.

I often think how will it happen? How will I continue to help my son make progress after such a tragic childhood? I use my faith in heaven and Jesus to claim the best quality of life for him. It tasks me. I can’t lie. The rewards wouldn’t be so wonderful if I didn’t struggle. The human desire for reward is so innate, it won’t be ignored.

And so, I press on.

disabilities · parenting · rehabilitation

New Territory

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As my youngest son fights to be like the others, this warrior leads the way to a traditional Sunday service. He pushes forward, literally; never ceasing to inspire and push each individual to expand their boundaries.

He has multiple diagnoses, which he wars against daily; Post Traumatic Epilepsy with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Trisomy 21. The young man is a true warrior! The amazing soldiers at his side demonstrating what being a man requires; empathy and assistance as a servant of God. Amen!

creative

Chin Up

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Working daily to rehabilitate someone you love is very challenging. I can find myself tired, depressed and almost apathetic. But these feelings are part of caregiving and being a mom. However, it can be more challenging when the years of nurturing growth and development continue into the child’s teens. Developmentally impaired require more nuturing at times, but not without reminding them of their age. My son is now fifteen!

He is the silliest of all, which is wonderful when you need to laugh. I often need to laugh. Laughter is the best medecine. He really has mastered that. That’s his gift to everyone; a smile and the sillies to remind you it’s important to have fun.

I like to read my Bible every morning or every day to keep me spiritually grounded. I use some simple devotional books. These litttle devotionals, which only take a few minutes, help to start the day in a growth perspective.

Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering prodces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Then, I went to my You Version for the daily scripture. Guess what!?

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9).

Well, doesn’t that help me to be encouraged to keep going and focus on the goal to keep my son progressing.

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Cocoa Beach Pier

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The family spent the last night before the end of vacation. We ate at Pier 62. How enjoyable it was to get deliscious calamari. Others ordered salad and fish and chicken. It was an evening of balmy but windy. The night air gave an energy of youth and freedom. As I walked along the pier, the wind blew fresh salty humidity, causing me vigor and cleansing.

Luis, happy in his chair, moving about the deck, and stimming in the breeze. How happy and thrilled to be some place else than his usual schedule.

Happiness, cheer and elation for diversion help renew our hearts from the daily drawls.

creative · parenting · rehabilitation

Easter Morning

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My eldest son called before sunrise and said, “I’m arriving at 8:50 according to google maps.”

I flew to be ready and wait for the bus to arrive. His robotics competition was finished. They brought an award home for gracious professionalism. A grand achievement.

As I drove to the designated place for pickup, the sun was rising and fighting with the clouds for the front of the sky. Cracks in the clouds gave the sun teasing possibilities to be shine and be seen. As I sat in the car, the clouds, with the help of the wind overpowered the sun, and the sky stayed grey on this day of celebration.

I try and imagine what that day was like when He wasn’t where his closest friends thought He would be. At first, saddened to face their dead friend and teacher. Then, confusion for not finding Him. Many drawings about that day show the sun shining through clouds and lots of bright light.

What if it wasn’t bright sunshine? What if it were a day like I am encountering today? A struggle between the sun and the clouds, pushing and pulling, gaining and losing.

This helps me to understand on a cellular level the amazing miracle finished and renewed by God. The constant struggle we face on a daily basis to make the best decisions, and acknowledge our gratitude for making salvation possible for anyone who wants it.

My son has yet to arrive. The wait will be worth it because, just like Jesus’ friends, the joy of the encounter will be immeasurable.

creative · disabilities · parenting

Homeschool so far

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We’ve been doing this for two years now and I see the benefits outweigh the problems.

My three sons are on different journeys. All three have different modalities to learning. While this can be perceived as an acrobatic feat, it meets my individuals where they are in their learning.

The youngest has been in homeschool for several years, but has impairment. Teaching him has been so rewarding because he’s had more learning to do. His education has focused on rehabilitation from his tragic accident ten years ago. We thought he would never walk. He does that now.

My middle son has other challenges. He struggles with himself. He is gifted but lacks confidence. Giving him the opportunity to learn at his own pace has improved his confidence.

My eldest has the combination of both worlds. He is incredibly talented with certain modalities of learning that are not accessible in the regular school curriculum. He had to be homeschooled so that his curriculum would reflect his desired learning. Left with the track system in his past school would have caused a severe rejection of learning.

It’s unfortunate that the public and private school sectors don’t have the flexibility of homeschooling. I’m grateful for my teaching degree because I have the knowledge of curriculum design with the parental knowledge of my students to help them succeed in their learning.

creative

Too Long

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I looked at stats and found it to be extremely dismal. This is to be expected from the incredible, personal distractions of life that don’t stop happening.

I suppose I shouldn’t be hard on myself but I find that since life has dealt me hard I should come back harder still, and give it the most intentional punch back.

That intentional punch back is to start with a weekly post. I started many posts but didn’t finish because of all the punching I do at prioritizing the needs I fulfill as a caregiver.

I’m desperately hopeful that I will find my success more and more each week as one more post moves into completion. Cheers to hard-headed determination!

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bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.24.NLT

This is so true to me now because of my experience with three days of hurricane. The whole time the wind was blowing, I kept thinking about the storm the disciples were in and how afraid they were to the point of waking Jesus. I held onto that visual all three days. I am so thankful. We truly are small in comparison to Nature, yet we have indefinite influence. Think twice. Act once.