| Coop's Progress, and a heart broken dad |
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Coopers progress and a heart broken dad.
First off Brittney and I want to thank everyone who has been on Coop’s website, we also want to thank you for all the prayers and donations for his education.
Cooper started school on August 20th. He adjusted well after a few days of school. It was tough for him when we dropped him off, but now most days he just tells us bye bye and walks in with his 1 on 1 shadow Ms. Jaqueline.
Cooper’s school day starts with Circle time, he has 9 kids in his class, 5 of them are autistic and 4 typical. Brittney and I thought it was important that this school had typical kids in the same class as the autistic kids. It is good for the autistic kids to see the other kids functioning in a typical way and they learn from that. When Coop started a few weeks ago he did not stay seated long at circle time, now he is staying seated much longer and also paying much better attention and actually answering questions that Ms Marcia asks. Ms Marcia is his head classroom teacher. We are pleased with the continuing improvement of his attention span although he still has a ways to go.
After Circle time they do projects like painting, coloring etc.. throughout the day from 8:30 till 12:30 Ms Jaqueline shadows Cooper, she does not leave his side and forces him to pay attention and helps him learn his tasks. They have become pals since school has started.
From 12:30 till 2:45 Cooper is in very intense ABA Therapy with Ms Crystal. Cooper has mastered out of many things and he is progressing at a pretty steady pace. Ms Crystal says Coop is very, very smart. He has it all in his head, the tough part is him getting it out, so that is what she is helping him with. He like most autistic kids have real trouble communicating. We are very pleased with Ms Crystal and the work she does with Cooper.
His school is what Cooper needs, Brittney and I truly believe and we pray that after 2 years of this school that Cooper will be mainstreamed and in a normal classroom.
All the teachers love Cooper. He is a very good kid, his tantrums have gotten much better and he does tons better when making transitions to new things, that has always been tough for him.
I take Cooper to school every morning. We take his juice and toast in the car with us, we listen to our favorite Wiggles tunes and I really enjoy that time with him. Brittney usually picks him up. We live about 25 minutes from the school.
Here comes the sad part, tonight Sunday the 9th is my last night to be here for a while. I had been working here from home, originating home loans, just like I did in Nashville, just working at the house. Our corporate office contacted me and let me know that it was against regulations to be working out of the home and originating loans in other states……Long story, but the bottom line is I have no choice but to fly back to Nashville and work from there. I will try to make it back here as much as possible, but there has been a lot of tears shed to say the least. It is very hard taking care of a 3 year old and a 5 month old, by yourself, when the 3 year old has special needs as Cooper only God knows how to get through that. Brittney will do great, but as you could imagine she will need encouraging being in a new town with the 2 boys without me.
The first thought would be to get a job down here. With the tuition to this school being so steep, I have to keep the job in Nashville for now.
We found out Thursday that I was going to have to get back to Nashville to work.
We have been cherishing every moment as a family. I laid down with Coop until he went to sleep tonight and just hugged him as tight as I could and cried and said a prayer for our family. With all that has changed with our family over the past few months, this new challenge has hit us the hardest, but as everyone of you with kids know, you do whatever it takes tp provide for your kids.
These are tough times, but we know God has his hands over our family. I know this is happening for a reason and we are going to make the most of it. Sometimes it takes rough times for us to realize how good we really have it.
Everyone reading this blog is special to our family and we appreciate you taking the time. Continue to pray for our family. Continue to pray. If any one would like to donate to Coops education fund send check to 10129 Haverhill Ridge Dr. Riverview, FL 33578. Make Check to Tim Cornwell/ Coopers Education Fund.
Also if you have a minute drop Brittney a note of encouragement to the same address as above.
Thank you So Much.
Love,
Tim, Brittney, Cooper and Christian
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