Room in the Nest

Being the parent of adult children is not always fun. I remember the disappointment in my mother's voice when I had to call her and say I wouldn't be coming for a visit because something else in my life took priority. It really shouldn't have but when you are a young adult and know everything, priorities are often skewed.

I experienced the same disappointment this past weekend.

My 19 year old son, Corey, is leaving for Army basic training very soon. He will be many states away and I don't know how long it will be until we see him again. He's been told that immediately after basic training, he will be going to an 18 week class in yet another far away state.

To both celebrate his future and to spend one last day together as a complete family, I planned a big meal and looked forward to having all my children home for the day. Unfortunately that didn't work out.

Jessica called me in the morning, and I reminded her that we would see her at 10am. She said OK. 10am came and went, as did 11, 12, 1 and 2. Our meal was planned for the late afternoon, and I kept hoping she would show up in time for that.

She didn't.

So my plans for one last family portrait with everyone in it fell apart. Corey asked several times if Jessica was going to show up, and I had to tell him I didn't know. I think he, like me, was disappointed.

I haven't heard from Jessica yet, and I guess I should try not to sound disappointed when we do talk, but it will be hard.

Sometimes the momma bird has to kick the little ones out of the nest, and sometimes the momma bird wishes they would stop back by once in a while.

Disappointed

I checked Facebook Sunday night just before going to bed and was surprised to see a status update for one of our local news stations. It said something to the effect of “join us tonight at 11pm to hear about what Virginia should do to the developmentally disabled in the state.”

Whoa!!! That got my attention, and I was determined to stay awake until 11pm to hear what was said. Unfortunately, tiredness took over and I didn’t make the broadcast.

So, when I got up very early Monday morning, I checked Facebook again, and sure enough there was another update from that news station that said “We ran a story tonight on what Virginia should do to the developmentally disabled. State officials are collecting public comments on this issue through August 15th. Comments can be submitted by e-mail to…”

The more I thought about how that was worded, and the more I worried about the content, the angrier I got. So the first thing I did after getting ready for work and getting the kids moving was to check the actual website for the news station to find out what Virginia was going to “do” to the developmentally disabled.

Apparently, other people had issues with the words and by the time I got to the station and back to Facebook, the wording had been changed. All reference to “do to the developmentally disabled’ had been changed to “care for the developmentally disabled.” The content of the story referenced a survey being conducted by one of the state agencies that support people with disabilities.

I’m really disappointed that the news station (WTVR) made such egregious statements even though they were corrected later. This is a station that advertises itself as the most honored station in Central Virginia. Perhaps they are, but these comments were dishonorable at best.

A Change For The Worse

Yesterday was the first day of the second summer school session in my school district. The first session lasts four weeks and the second session last three weeks. I have no idea why it is broken into two sessions.

I have no idea if Ashley has the same teacher and the same aide for the second session. Of course, I have no idea if she even has an aide. I’ve never gotten a report from or about that person.

I have no idea what Ashley did in the first four weeks and I have no idea what the plans are for the last three weeks of summer school. I’ve gotten no reports other than a vague, “Ashley is doing well” from the first teacher. I wonder what she is doing well at?

I have no idea if Ashley is eating her lunch at school other than the fact that her lunchbox comes home empty each day.

I have no idea if sunscreen is being used when Ashley is outside other than the fact that she hasn’t come home sunburned. But I guess that could mean that she hasn’t actually been outside.

I have no idea if Ashley has had one seizure, 10 seizures, or more at school. I’ve not heard from the nurse (if there is a nurse) or the teacher other than the time I was requested to fill out a “seizure plan”. I guess I should have noted on the form that I would like to know if a seizure occurred.

I have no idea if Ashley interacts with the other students at summer school, if anyone facilitates communication between Ashley and the hearing students or if she uses her cane.

What I do know is that Ashley has come home several times with injuries, some bordering on significant. I know she has come home with a torn pull-up and wet clothes, even though I always pack a change of clothes and extra pull-ups. I know that she doesn’t seem thrilled with the prospect of going to summer school, but during the regular school year, she loved going to school. I know that the only progress on her communication skills have been the things I have worked on with her over the summer. And I wonder if I will get an updated progress report on her IEP at the end of summer school.

To say that I am not thrilled with the services Ashley is receiving this summer is an understatement. I know that there has been a change in administration as it relates to summer school services, so maybe that is the reason. But, you can bet I will make sure next summer’s IEP is very, very specific about what I expect.

Dang you, Mother Nature

The clothes were folded and stacked just waiting to go into the suitcases.



The travel size toiletries were bought and awaiting packing also.



Movies were stored in a binder to save space in our vehicle.



My gas-hog van was filled to the brim at only 6 cents per gallon thanks to my grocery store fuel perks card! $1.18 for 20 gallons a gas - not bad :)



The Christmas decorations were stored away so when we returned from vacation we wouldn't be facing that task. We were all excited about the prospect of a huge, handicapped accessible house on the beach in North Carolina, and then.....

Mother Nature struck with a fury. A huge snowstorm - epic was the word used by the newscasters - struck in an area that more often than not never sees snow and all roads leading to the beach were, and still are, unpassible.



(Photo courtesy of Carl Anderson, Hampton Roads Photography)

Thank goodness I had trip insurance. I won't lose any money, but I will lose a week away from work and the other stressors of our life. The vacation we couldn't take last summer due to Ronnie's surgery was not to be during Christmas vacation either.

Mother Nature can be a real b*tch sometimes...