June/July 2010 - Coulee Region Women's Magazine

coordinate services for them has been“absolutely essential,” she says. Thesocial worker attends school meetingsand psychiatric appointments with themon occasion, and meets with the familymonthly—sometimes more often, whennecessary. The social worker is a strongpresence in the times of crisis.“She is there to remind me of how farwe have come, what our goals and plansare, and what options we have,” Mahlumsays. “Sometimes, I just need a listeningCommunity Resources for AutismLa Crosse County Human Services608-785-6054Visit www.co.la-crosse.wi.us andclick on Services, then Family andChildren’s Services for othercommunity resources.Chileda608-782-6480Crisis Intervention Services608-784-HELPear or someone to bounce some ideas off.”Horse therapy at Flying Horse Stableshas been helpful for Spencer. “When wevisited there the first time, I cried becauseI had not seen Spencer that happy andpeaceful in a long time,” she says. Thecounty provides the transportation forSpencer to and from Flying Horse Stablesin La Crosse. “This is a wonderful and verymuch appreciated service,” Mahlum says.Stein Counseling and ConsultingServices, the Crisis Intervention System,Catholic Charities608-782-0710Franciscan Skemp ChildDevelopment Services608-791-9770Gundersen Lutheran Learningand DevelopmentalDiagnostic Center608-775-2719Riverfront, Chileda, and CatholicCharities also have assisted the Mahlums.“I’m always hanging on to hope thattomorrow will be a better day. We havea lot of hope for Spencer,” Mahlum says.“We will continue to help him in whateverway he needs.” DKim Seidel of Onalaska is a writer, specializingin parenting and health, and the mother oftwo daughters.Riverfront608-784-9450Flying Horse Stables608-317-1448Stein Counseling andConsulting Services608-785-700018 JUNE/JULY 2010 www.crwmagazine.com