as i was going through old files in my office…i came across some notes i had jotted down about my first visit with one of my dearest clients…becky…this was before i was blogging…otherwise i know that it would have been a blog post…and then i thought…why not showcase it now…i first met becky back in 2008…
here was my journal entry…
i spent about 3 hrs shopping for one of my newest clients yesterday…
back to when we met…i was referred to mrs c. by a friend of mine…mrs c. hired me to help update her daughter becky’s wardrobe…becky is 21 yrs old and has autism…mrs c. felt that her daughter looked like she was dressed by a 55 yr. old woman – her mom.
when i went over to their home to meet them…mrs c. told me that becky was finishing up her lunch and would come into the living room when she was done…we sat and chatted about becky’s activities…and what she needs…
then becky came into the room…she came right up to me…gave me a big hug & a kiss on the cheek…and proceeded to sit right next to me…you gotta love that…
becky is a beautiful girl with such innocence – it grabbed at me…this innocence – the one we all long for…the surprise in every situation – they way children look at things in such wonder…
mrs c. asked becky if she knew why i was there…and becky says “closet”…
mrs c. asks “what about the closet?”
and becky says “closet clean-up”
the next few hours were spent doing a closet audit…and really looking at what becky had that we could build on…her mom’s goal was to take becky from dressing like a young child and dress her like the young lady she is now…
obviously there are many challenges that go along with a child with autism…for becky – alot of it is buttons & tying, when to take the sweater off, what top matches those pants…things we don’t even think about…(well most of us) ;o)
becky is a fully developed woman…who many times acts as a five year old child…so the things that we think about…crossing our legs…bending over…don’t come into play with her…she is interested in playing with her toys…and yet…she is in college…goes to her part time job…and then comes home to play with her dolls…
becky does not think about fashion – but her mom wants her to look nice…
mrs c. was most excited about the look book that i was creating for becky…a book just for her – with pictures of all her clothes already in outfits…all becky needed to do is look through her book – and decide what outfit she wanted to wear…and it is put together for her…
i love that the innocence of a child can teach you so much, warm your heart & make you feel loved…all at once!
