It seemed like a good idea at the time
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| Sat, 01-06-2007 - 2:12pm |
Basketball that is. It wasn't. We pulled him out as of today after all that work. I am bummed but it was the right decision. He has had a horrible time just getting ready to go all week. The respite person started taking him on her own this week so I could go to classes and it just isn't going to work. She doesn't see his triggers.
The final straw was when the coach had to approach me today and tell me Mike kicked a kid at practice on Thursday. He says the other kids are afraid of Mike and he tried to explain Mike's disability to them. However, he is concerned if having Mike there is a liability and if I can't go with him then he likely is. I guess the respite person was in her car (most of the parents wait in the car as practice is outside and it was darn cold the other night).
I have tried to explain Mike's challenges to her but she isn't getting it and as such I can't have him out in public with her.
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT!
So today I am researching Special Olympics. Mike is happier about doing that anyway. He was able to say he was happier if there were other kids who thought like him. He is too darn nervous at mainstream activities.
DAMMMMMMM AUTISM!
Renee


Aww, Renee,
But I so do understand. I have to say that I would never even consider having anyone else take Malcolm to Little League, except dh, and even then I would feel that I need to be there, even just watching... And we even had trouble of a sort when a sitter was regularly taking him to Chess Club, turns out a few of the kids were teasing when the teacher had his back turned and Malcolm was slowly starting to withdraw and eventually refused to play most of the other kids. Just worked on the strategy worksheets... sigh.
If I were you, I might try again next year, when Mike is a little older and if basketball is on a night when you can go...? Build on how well he did for so long this year. Going with the respite worker was probably just too hard on him, and of course she is unlikely to "get it" Our regular "date night" sitter had been with him for years, and was good at caring for Malcolm when he was younger, but now she can't really work with him well enough when he is upset or unsettled. And she didn't even think to check in on him periodically at Chess Club...
Anyways, sad for him and you, but you both did give it a good shot! And always remember, this is a marathon, NOT a sprint. Although constantly swimming upstream comes more to mind, getting dragged back by the strong current awhile, swimming a little more distance upstream, getting exhausted and pulled back some more, swimming more...
((((HUGS))))
Sara
(((((((((((Big Hugs))))))))))))) Renee
I remember pulling Adam out of stuff cause he was different. He's just 3 but before dx, he was "that one kid". He was different, I'd try to explain but people are oblivious to what "us" AS parents do.
Don't loose hope. Give it tim and perhaps it'll happen.
Many More Hugs,
Nora
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/irishwildrose/pp2.jpg
Renee,
You did your best. You tried it every way you could, and it just didn't work out.
This happens.
Don't feel bad.
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
(((((Renee & Mike)))))
Amy
I'm just glad you have a backup plan.
Renee. . .(((hugs))),
So sorry it isn't working out. I feel bad that you are having such a hard time finding a respite person. That is so important for you and your family. The rec center over here just started with the KIT(kids included together)program. They offer a 1:1 aide for a child with special needs(at no cost)for the various park and rec programs. I don't know how they are trained but do know the one they were possibly going to use was working on their master's. Do they have the program near you? Just an idea.
Special Olympics sounds great! Hope you find something good.
Molly