The Mythbusters and Some More of Ryan’s Writings

Last weekend, Ryan and I participated in a panel discussion with two other families to talk about our experience with Rapid Prompting Method.

This was our second TACA event and the turnout was good despite the rainy, cold day.  Randy and I had to split parent because Grace had her midseason School of Rock show in Dallas the same afternoon, so it was just Ryan, Freckles, and me.

Ryan, Austin, and Kaegan dubbed themselves as The Mythbusters and each family talked about their journey with RPM and how it has enriched their lives.

After that, the students and parents took questions from the audience.  This lasted just over 2 hours and it was a big success.

It was amazing to hear the stories of Austin’s and Kaegan’s families and how there were some similarities and some differences with all three students and their journeys.

I asked Ryan how he felt about the event.

CAN REALLY THANK ALL OF THE PARENTS FOR COMING.  I LOVE TALKING ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE.  MOSTLY I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT.  WE ARE GETTING GOOD AT THIS, MOM.

“I think so too, Ryan.  Wasn’t it great to see Austin again after so long?  What did you think of getting to finally meet Kaegan?”

IT MADE ME SO HAPPY TO SEE AUSTIN.  I REALLY ENJOYED MEETING KAEGAN.  I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW MUCH HE TALKS WHILE SPELLING.  (Kaegan is verbal, but his speech is not always reliable and he often scripts movies or shows while pointing on the letter board.)  JOSHA (Kaegan’s mom) IS GREAT.  SHE IS LIKE YOU AND MARY LYNN (Austin’s mom), MOM.

“What did you think of the turnout?  I was a bit worried due to the weather.”

THE CROWD WAS GOOD AND BOUND TO SEE SOME FAMILIAR FACES.  (There were two parents there, Brenda and Revathy, who do RPM with their kids and Ryan knows them and has spent time with both of them.)

“What did you think of Davis, who was there with his mother?”

HE IS MISSING OUT ON RPM.  DEARLY WANT TO HELP HIS MOM.

“I spoke to his mom after the session.  We are connected and I am hoping to help her.  What did you think of Granny and Joan making it to the event?”

THEY ARE TOTALLY AMAZING FOR COMING.

Joan was able to take some action shots for us.

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She also had a super interesting question for the boys.  She asked,” You guys call yourselves the Mythbusters.  What myths do you want to bust today?”

Ryan’s response was YOU CAN REALLY SPEAK TO US LIKE ANYONE ELSE.

Essentially it wasn’t necessarily a myth but a call to action from Ryan.  He does not want to be talked to like a baby or have other autistics spoken to like babies.

Joan and Granny really enjoyed the presentation and hearing Austin and Kaegan’s stories too.

Ryan and I are always willing to share his story.  As all of you know, RPM has made all the difference in Ryan’s life and our family dynamic, and we just want to pay it forward.

*****

Here is some more of Ryan’s creative writing.  He wrote a story with Adriana and two poems with me.  First up is the story with Adriana.

IT IS THE STORY OF THE INNOVATION OF FORT WORTH.

IN THE OLDEN TIMES, MEN TOOK CARE OF THEIR HORSES ON THEIR LAND.  TAKING CARE OF THEIR HORSES TOOK TIME AND MONEY.  ONE DAY, THE MEN DECIDED TO INVEST IN THEIR HORSES.  THEY HAD TO GET THE ONE THING THEY MOST NEEDED.  THEY DECIDED TO GET THE HORSES LOTS OF LAND.

IT WAS THE MOST TERRIFIC DECISION THEY EVER MADE.  IT TOOK THEM ONE HUNDRED YEARS TO SETTLE THE TOWN.  HOW MANY YEARS IS THAT IN HORSE YEARS?  IT IS ONE THOUSAND HORSE YEARS.

THE MEN THOUGHT THAT IT WAS WORTH IT.  SO THEY INNOVATED THE CITY OF FORT WORTH.  LESS THAN TWO HUNDRED HORSES MADE THE TINY CITY.  HORSES DEFENDED THE ENTIRE CITY.  THAT IS THE STORY OF THE TIME FORT WORTH WAS CREATED.

Ryan and I learned about limericks.  A limerick is a silly poem with five lines.  They are often funny or nonsensical.  The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables.  The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables.

Here is Ryan’s take on a limerick.

MISTAKEN
by Ryan Curry

SEEMS TO BE ANOTHER
NOT LIKE ANY OTHER
MY MOUSE IS UNDER
A PORTION OF BLUNDER
NO IT’S JUST MY BROTHER

Ryan and I also learned about cinquain poems.

A cinquain poem follows this format:
Title–one word
Description–two words
Action–three words
Feeling–four words
Title (Synonym)–one word

Here is Ryan’s cinquain poem.

FAMILY
AWESOME SUPPORTIVE
LOVES ME ALWAYS
CARING FOR ME ALWAYS
EVERYTHING

*****

We run our second race of the year this weekend.  Be on the lookout for some pictures on our Facebook page!