Our Healing Journey

WOW! What a day! I spent the morning putting the finishing touches on a Letter to the Editor of the Georgia Music Magazine. They wrote a great article in their last issue about Zac Brown, and I wanted to share with their readers how Zac (along with the other members of ZBB) has positively impacted our family. We learned about the Brain Balance Program at a Zac Brown Band concert, and thus began our amazing journey of healing for Aidan!

A few minutes after I sent the email, I got an email saying that my Parent Testimonial Video for Brain Balance was ready to view and share. Here it is, Our Story! Please feel free to comment, share, or repost. I want the whole world to know how the Brain Balance Program has truly changed Aidan's life!!



And here is the letter that I sent to the Georgia Music Magazine editor. I'm afraid I waited WAY too long to write and send it, but I've got my fingers crossed that somehow it gets printed in the magazine! I'll keep you posted!

To: Lisa Love
Editor, Georgia Music Magazine
Re: A Letter to the Editor

Dear Lisa,

I just finished re-reading (for about the zillionth time) the wonderful article about Zac Brown from your last edition. It is amazing the impact that Zac has had on the Atlanta music scene and the incredibly talented artists on his record label. Zac, along with the rest of the Zac Brown Band, has also had a direct and tremendous impact on my family, and I felt compelled to share that with you.

On August 21, 2010, I attended my very first Zac Brown Band concert in Charlotte, NC. For over 2 ½ hours, they blew my mind – with their awesome musical talents, their infectious energy, their deep appreciation for their fans, and finally, for their promotion of a non-medical program called Brain Balance. Zac spoke to the crowd very passionately about how the Brain Balance Program was helping to recover children with neurological and behavioral disorders (such as Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, etc.) WITHOUT drugs. I was paying close attention, as this program sounded like something that could help my then-5-year old son, Aidan.

Less than three weeks later, after a VERY rough start to Kindergarten, we were on our way to a Brain Balance Center in Atlanta for Aidan’s evaluation. We worked with the Brain Balance Program from home for the next nine months, and we were so encouraged by Aidan’s progress, that we decided we MUST move heaven and earth to have him complete the program at a Brain Balance Center. My three boys and I relocated to Atlanta from June-October 2011 so that Aidan could attend Brain Balance, and the results of the program have been absolutely life changing for Aidan. My impulsive, aggressive and easily over-stimulated boy who struggled making friends now has much-improved self control, is well liked by his teachers and peers, and recently made the Honor Roll for the first time ever! AMAZING!

We celebrated Aidan’s Brain Balance Graduation at a ZBB concert in Jacksonville, FL last October. It was a truly unforgettable night! We attended a legendary Eat and Greet before the show, where I got to introduce Aidan to each member of Zac Brown Band. Aidan was THRILLED to meet them, and he got lots of high-fives and congratulations from Zac, Jimmy, Coy, Chris, Clay, Hop, and Wyatt. We got to hang with Sonia Leigh and her awesome band, we got to tour “Cookie” with Chef Rusty Hamlin, we got to “Z-Team” before the show, passing out koozies and “working for the band” – an AMAZING night for Aidan that he will NEVER forget, and a perfect way to celebrate his Graduation from Brain Balance!

The musical talent on the Zac’s Southern Ground Record label is absolutely amazing, but each artist shares another quality that seems to be lacking in world today – HEART. ZBB, Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan, Levi Lowrey – these artists ALL have a deep love and appreciation for their fans, and a desire to really connect with them. Hang out with ZBB before the show at an Eat and Greet, or catch the other artists taking photos and signing autographs after their set at the merchandise booth. The Southern Ground Artists are also committed to giving back. ZBB’s “Letters for Lyrics” campaign has sent hundreds of thousands of letters and CD’s to soldiers serving our country overseas. Coy Bowles has written a beautiful children’s book, “Amy Giggles: Laugh Out Loud,” with a strong anti-bullying message. And Zac is building a camp, right here in Georgia, for both special needs children and their typical peers. Zac has called Camp Southern Ground his “life’s work,” and my family cannot WAIT to be a part of it. (Please check out www.campsouthernground.org to donate and get involved.) HEART

My family will be eternally grateful to Zac Brown Band for spreading the word about the Brain Balance Program. EVERYONE that we have met that is in any way connected to ZBB or Southern Ground Records (artists, band members, fan club or “Zamily” members, crew) has been SO kind and supportive of Aidan. We are very proud supporters of all things Southern Ground, and fortunate to be part of such an amazing Zamily!

Sincerely,

Allie Pence

P.S. You can read all about Aidan’s Journey through the Brain Balance Program and beyond at www.brainbalanceaidan.blogspot.com

Finding Hope...

So I have a LOT to catch up on - we just spent a week in Atlanta, re-evaluating both Aidan and Aeson with Dr. Pete at Brain Balance. AMAZING progress for Aidan, and a concrete plan to help Aeson. ALL GOOD! And we shot a parent testimonial video about our experiences with the Brain Balance Program - I can't wait to see it and to share it with everyone. This program has truly changed Aidan's life, and has helped our entire family in SO many ways. I hope that sharing Aidan's story will help other families learn about Brain Balance, and find hope for their children.

Today's blog, however, will be very short, and very sweet. Right this minute, Andy and I are thoroughly enjoying our 15th kid free hour! That's right - all THREE boys spent the night with Mimi and Papa last night! We dropped them off last night, fed, bathed, and ready for bed. In fact, Ash was asleep already. Andy and I enjoyed a fantastic dinner at our very favorite spot, the Sundae Cafe. Drinks, appetizers, entrees, dessert (to go) - great conversation, no rushing through a meal, not a coloring book in sight - BLISS! We slept in until 9 am - I honestly can't remember the last time I was still in bed at 9am! I called to check on the boys, and everything was ALL GOOD at Mimi and Papa's house. No drama, no tears, ALL GOOD! Andy and I drank our coffee, chatted some more, and I had last night's cheesecake for breakfast! HEAVEN! Now, we are headed to the beach to play with the boys for the afternoon. Thanks Mimi and Papa - we needed that! Maybe 4 days in Chicago for the Autism One conference next month isn't just a pipe dream for this Mama. I am hopefully optimistic!

Much love,

Allie