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LOCAL FOLKS: Special needs mom a hardworking volunteer off-hours

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - 9/24/2018

Sept. 24--TUPELO -- This is Angela Atkinson's fourth year in Junior Auxiliary and this year, she is chair of the Clothes Closet program which provides clothing to children in need.

Atkinson has four children at home -- daughters Emma, 17, and Anne Frances, 10, and sons Clark, 14, and Ashley, 8 -- yet still makes time to volunteer with the kids at First United Methodist Church and also works part-time as a preschool teacher.

Atkinson's youngest child, Ashley, has autism, so she said continuing to work with other children has taught her there is a reason behind children's behaviors, and that certain behaviors do not always mean a child is misbehaving. Atkinson said it was great to still be able to work with young children.

"(First United) is the best place to work I think. I have great friendships with the women here. I really enjoy being here with the kids, who are so special and at home it's kind of tough balancing this and Ashley. Some days I may drop one ball but I have to pick it up," Atkinson said.

Ashley Atkinson went to The Autism Center for a few years, and continues to receive speech and language therapy services from Regional Rehab.

"He has the most unique personality. He likes routine. You think that he's not paying attention but then he will ask question after question so that you know there's a lot going on in there. But it's just been a little bit of a struggle getting that to show in his schoolwork," Atkinson said.

Atkinson said her son is high-functioning and he attends public school in Tupelo in a regular classroom, also receiving aid a few times per day from a special education teacher.

Atkinson said Ashley enjoys playing with roadblocks and drawing detailed pictures of trains.

"His daddy loves trains too. He plays with trains. He's got model trains on our dining table. I haven't been able to use my dining table in years, and he also likes cars. My husband's boss will send car magazines to him," Atkinson said.

Atkinson said her volunteer work also allows her to spend quality time with her oldest daughter, Emma, who helps her with the Clothes Closet in the summer.

"When they asked me to do this job, I thought, 'well it's going to be her senior year and you hate to miss out on your senior year,' but it's really been a blessing. We've spent so much time together at Clothes Closet. She'll go shopping with me, and she's really good. Like if I'm out shopping and wondering if a child will wear this, I send her a picture and she'll say no mom," Atkinson joked.

cristina.carreon@journalinc.com Twitter: @Ccarreon90

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(c)2018 the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, Miss.)

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