Trying Something New

For the last couple of years, Ronnie has enjoyed playing basketball and lacrosse with his friends at Sportable, but now he is branching out and trying something new - kayaking! And as with the other sports, he has picked up the skills rather easily and is having a blast!

The Good, The Bad, and The Absolute Worst

Last week after Ashley's appointment with the vascular surgeon, I took her back to school and decided to have a couple of hours of 'me time'. I went to one of our local malls, had lunch, and did a little shopping. While I had lunch in the mall food court, I did a lot of people watching. And I don't know about the malls in your area, but around here they are magnets for group home staff and their residents. Way, way back in 2006 (have I really been writing this blog that long?!), I wrote about a group home watching experience, and the experience wasn't pleasant. Other than for one good thing, today's experience was no better.

THE GOOD

A large group of adult men came in with their group home staff. They were all prepared to eat lunch, lunch they had brought with them. As they all began to sit down ('clients' at one table, 'staff' at another), one staff person touched the shoulder of a 20-something man and said, 'Let's you and me go eat over there so we can watch the girls go by." The 20-something man laughed and off they went - two guys, enjoying lunch, and watching girls.

THE BAD

I've already alluded to this. Staff sit at one table - 'clients' at another. No one talks to each other unless it is a staff person shouting orders. There's no enjoyable conversation over a meal, just another task to complete, and way for the group home to check off that they went 'into the community.'

THE ABSOLUTE WORST

Another group of staff/clients entered the food court. Most of the clients had brought their lunch and went to a table to sit. But one gentleman wanted to buy his lunch. It was pretty obvious that he would need some assistance. But rather than offer that assistance, the staff person said, "George, why don't you buy my lunch too." Since we as a society raise people with disabilities to be subservient, George said, "OK." I have no idea if he really wanted to or not, but George pulled out his wallet, and both men ordered from ChikFilA. George paid, paid with part of the 28% of Social Security Disability Insurance that he is allowed to keep (the rest goes to the group home). It made me sick...

There just has to be a better way....

Jack Carroll

Love, love, love this kid!!!  Happy Friday everyone!

Answers Finally

Yesterday Ashley saw a vascular surgeon, and we finally have answers about why her leg and foot are swollen!

If you remember this journey, it all began last October. After many blood tests, a cat scan, and two ultrasounds - after too many visits to the pediatrician to count and one to an oncologist - yesterday's visit with the vascular surgeon brought our search to an end.

Ashley has lymphedema praecox.

Her body is not moving lymphatic fluid as well as it should. It's a problem that is seen usually in young women in their late teens to their early thirties. And although there is a surgical procedure that could deal with the issue, it comes with some negative side effects - for instance, a propensity for the body to form blood clots. The vascular surgeon said that because her swelling is moderate and not severe that he would not recommend the surgery. So his recommendations are:

• Elevate the leg and foot whenever possible
• Wear a compression sock
• and get as much exercise as possible

The last one sounded a little strange to me, but apparently exercise helps to move the fluid better.

I'll get the compression sock this weekend (it's a prescription item), and will see if I can wrestle Ashley's leg into it, and we'll try a little more time on the treadmill too. I'm just so glad this ordeal has come to an end, and still wonder if it really had to take this long....

Special Exposure Wednesday

I love Spring, especially when my tulips bloom! (Absolutely stunning pictures, Chip!)

Troubling

Wow!  I'm really not sure how I feel about this video.  I know I don't like my school district employees being portrayed as Nazis, that's for sure.  Yes, there were times early on in Ashley's education, when I might have felt this portrayal came close, but it still inherently troubles me.  What are your thoughts?

My Brother From Another Mother

Everybody needs a friend - that one special friend that shares everything with you.  You never feel lonely when you know your friend is near.

This past weekend we did something a little wild and crazy.  We decided Cooper, our lab, needed a buddy, and so we brought Lewis home!

Lewis is a rescue dog that is a mixture of border collie and lab.  He's smaller than Cooper but full of spunk!  They became instant friends, and have spent the last two days running and playing constantly in our back yard.

Welcome home, Lewis!