Soldiers

Because no one follows this blog except me, I guess I write all of this stuff for me.  There is always that slim chance that someone comes across this blog and it makes sense to them in some way.  When people see the logo I designed, I get a lot of reactions.  Most of them are the raised-eyebrows and oh-that's-nice-but-I-have-no-freaking-clue-what-you-are-talking-about look, but there are people out there that get it right away.  Those who understand are parents, teachers, therapists, or grandparents and sometimes one of the above with experience in the military-all who have, know, and/or love someone with ASD and/or SPD.  That rare breed understands right away--they look at the logo and nod their head---'nuff said. 

The concept for Sensory Assault Operations is rooted in the fact that I always said that my son was not merely sensory seeking---he was on a "sensory mission."  I said that right from the SPD diagnosis get-go.  The concept stewed and grew over several years until a perfect alignment of somethings sparked Sensory Assault Operations and the Sensory Assault Pack.  Gear for kids on a sensory mission.  Right on!  I wouldn't be creating and developing most of the products in my line myself, but I would be putting together tools that have either helped me or other people I know in their daily mission of coping with SPD.  They would all be affordable and in one place so that it could help take some of the guesswork out of this murky journey through SPD-land.  The "Sensory Assault" part of our operations stems from the Air Assault badge that the Army awards to soldiers; these soldiers complete a grueling course which teaches them how to sling-load large vehicles and pallets onto a helicopter and how to conduct an assault from a helicopter. Pretty damn cool.  And empowering-which is what is behind Sensory Assault Operations.  The wings on our logo signify the flight/assault part of the training while the brain is the center of the central nervous system and is the control center and ground zero for ASD and SPD.  It is a visual representation of our company.  I am a busy person, a busy mom, a busy pastry chef, a busy business owner, just busy.  My son is growing older and I wanted him to start learning how to meet his own sensory needs in appropriate ways.

I see our kids as soldiers in this battle against sensory needs.  We have to arm ourselves and our kids with the physical and emotional equipment necessary to accomplish this sensory mission:  Acquiring the full and independent ability to manage, cope, and develop the necessary ways to deal with the sensory issues that will never leave our children no matter how old they get.  They will have to find ways to deal with them and not let them take over their lives.  Sensory Assault Operations is the first step on the journey to accomplishing this mission.

As a spouse of a soldier who has been in harms way many times, I have been rooted steadfastly in the idea that only soldiers can be soldiers---there is no other type of person that can qualify to fit that title.  But I am beginning to change my mind about that.  What our soldiers do for our country is incredible, I would never demean that and it takes a special person to do what they do.  Our SPD kids are special.  Most people couldn't imagine going through what they go through each day--finding any way they can to orient themselves enough to function in the "normal" world that surrounds them AND still meet the educational standards set for them.  I'm also beginning to see myself as a soldier.  I don't carry a gun, but I will do whatever it takes to make it.  Whatever it takes to get my son what he needs, to keep him in the school that works for him, to give him a stable life, to give him everything, to keep our heads above water and live the American Dream in our house and find a way to pay for everything.  It isn't easy, sometimes it seems down-right insurmountable.  But I am a soldier and so is my son and we will accomplish this mission