Friday, March 30, 2012

How dense can I be?

I ask this in all sincerity. I just went to get a coffee at Dunkin donuts. The cute guy I've been flirting with was there. I think I might have misunderstood him. I think he might have asked what I was doing this weekend. My answer to what I thought was you gonna have a good weekend? Was its gonna be fantastic. He then told me he had the weekend off. It wasn't until I was half way home that I realized from the look he gave me that he might have actually been about to ask me out!!

So again I ask: how dense can I be?

He might have been just being polite, but I am determined to see it as a missed opportunity for a date. Alas, I hope he tries again soon.......

I promise not to be dense next time.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Strip search

I know I've already talked about not breaking the law and why (strip search).

I am in the middle of an investigation at work. Someone stole some money for one of my clients. (Pisses me off that someone would do this to a person with DD, let alone any one). I was the last person on record to see the money so I am under investigation as is at least one other staff. I have worked for this company for almost 13 years so it pisses me off to think they might really suspect me. However I do understand the need for the investigation.

I went in and spent almost 2 hours being interviewed and writing my statement. Then I get a call asking me to come in for another interview. When I said yes, I was told it was at the OOB police station----WHAT? Ok, kind of freaked out, went in on Monday, wrote out a statement at the police station, was asked what should happen to the person who stole (if caught). I responded they should be fired and have to make restitution. I was then asked "Is that ALL that should happen in your opinion?". I got a little confused and said I didn't know what else would be appropriate.

During the course of the interview I was told that my car was seen at the house at noon on the day in question. I almost crapped my pants right there! Even while telling the police and my manager where I was at noon-- at SH visiting my son (had to sign in so they have a record of me being there whew!) all I could think about was getting strip searched. The interview was concluded and I left. I freaked out all the way home. I know I didn't take the money. (I don't steal, especially from people who have so little and who can't protect themselves from things like this.) this did not stop my mind from spinning out of control for about an hour. I watch too many court, lawyer, cop shows. All I could imagine was how on most of my favorite shows they always start by arresting a couple innocent people. OMGoodness!!!! That's me! They are going to arrest me! I'm going to go to jail until they catch the right person! (like stealing less than $100 will land me in jail as if it was murder). It isn't the thought of sitting in a jail cell for a few hours or days that upsets me so much, might be a nice break from my crazy life. Again, it all comes down to the strip search. I can't handle the thought of a strip search.

Can you tell I'm scared of having to go through one? I still don't think they'd be happy to perform one on me. They might ask for a raise after. However, once I reeled my imagination in I realized that I AM innocent, so I really don't have to worry about the search, or jail, or being fired. Again, whew!

I REALLY REALLY would NEVER do anything that would result in a strip search. The police cant handle this much woman!

Life is a funny thing

The last few years have had a lot of hard moments. There's been a lot on my plate. Well, this year seems to be all about change.

Change had always scared the hell out of me. I mean, the unknown can be a scary thing. There has been a lot of fear in my life lately. It was all about the unknown. My husband left me, what will happen to me now? Will I be alone the rest of my life? I really believed that one. My son has been in crisis for a long time. (almost 2 years), what would happen to him? Was I going to be able to help him? Would I fail him and therefor doom him to struggle more than he had to for the rest of his life? Was I going to loose the house? Where would I live then? How can I make it on my own?

These are the thoughts that have taken up so much of my life the last 2 years. They even had me stuck, unable to move forward, because there IS some comfort in staying where you are. At least then you know what's going on, you know what thoughts and feelings to expect. To move forward means to let go and trust that it WILL be okay. Trust that by moving into the unknown and uncomfortable we will come out the other side alive and whole. (at least okay).

It so easy to hold on to the fear, resentment, anger and loneliness. At least you know where you are. I have spent a lot of time telling others and more importantly, MYSELF I had let go of these feelings and had moved on. But you know the saying: Talk is cheap? Well, it is. Just saying it isn't enough. You need to live it and be it. You need to LET GO, you need
To TRUST that you will make it, you will SURVIVE. You may stumble and fall, but you get right back up, dust yourself off and keep going.

I finally decided to LIVE IT. I made
The decision to put my son in SH for the help I was unable to give, and look how well that worked out? I was devastated. I couldn't even sleep in my own bed the whole 6 weeks. I cried, and missed Will desperately, but I made it through, and so did Will. Looking back it was one of the best decision I've made. We came out the other side and we're stronger for it.

On a more recent note, I filed for divorce. It's been 2 years, Jason left me, under pretty crappy circumstances. I had refused to do anything about it. I decided that he left ME, he could file. Well, look how well that worked out for me. :)

Jason waited 10 months to get the papers. He waited till he had a girlfriend. He then left the papers for me to fill out for him ( to serve me, a little messed up? What do you think). When his girlfriend broke up with him the papers disappeared. My anger and feelings of hurt and resentment (already pretty strong) continued to grow. I kept telling myself "HE left ME. He can file. He can finish one thing in our marriage.". I kept telling myself that I would come to despise and hate him if I was forced to file. When Will went into SH, Jason told me he was filling out the paperwork again. (turns out he had a girlfriend, big surprise). I waited well over a month, but I was still not served.

I finally made the decision to get a lawyer with the financial help of my parents. I served HIM! I tell you what: I don't hate him, my anger, hurt, and resentment feel like they have melted away. I feel more in control of my life, more FREE.

I still don't know what the future will hold, but I know I'll be okay. I know Will will be okay. Where ever we end up, we will be OKAY. In fact, I'll go even farther--- we'll be better than okay! We'll be HAPPY!

Jason is angry with me for filing first. Is it because I took away his control? Is he scared? I don't know, and that's okay. I don't NEED to know. Thats HIS to deal with, NOT me.

Does this mean I've become this perfectly enlightened person? No, I'm sure I'll still have set backs, I'll still get angry, hurt and resentful as well as other negative feelings besides. However, I truly believe that I will be able to acknowledge these feeling and release them much, MUCH sooner.

Just remember, saying you've let go and moved on rarely means you have. You have to let yourself fall into the unknown trusting you will survive. You also have to take ACTION! You have to do something to move past these fears etc. if you can do this you can SOAR with the eagles.

Come fly with me!

Friday, March 16, 2012

So far so good

Well, it's been over 24 hours and the only real struggle was when dad made Will go back to SH. (dad "needed" his iPod so desperately, even though he has 2 others). I was able to run his plan and help Will manage himself and his feelings. He was awesome.

Today the only blip was when he changed his mind about a shower. I made it clear that he needed to shower and wash his hair well (the night before he showered and only washed the back of his hair? What's up with that?). He wasn't happy, but didn't take it past telling me he wasn't happy. How awesome is that?

It was a great day at school, and then he had a friend come over. He's had 2 friends write/draw him cards in the last 2 days saying how glad they are to have him back and that he's their best friend.

We had dinner out with granny and papa. He has had such an awesome day that after the shower he earned a guitar (inflatable) and he rocked out for me. I feel truly blessed.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Finally home

So, as you can guess, Will came home today. The smile on his face when we left SH was so wonderful to see. We went to lunch at Friendly's where he made great choices on food.

We then picked up his meds and went to school. His friends came right over and gave him hugs when they saw him. I picked him up 2 hours later to hear how awesome his time there had been.

He was doing great. He made a great choice to play with Legos so he could use earned time later playing webkinz with his granny on the computer. His dad came over to take him out for a while and stated they were going back to SH because dad wanted to get his iPod which was left there. Will really didn't want to go, he became upset but was able to stay safe. I jumped in and helped Will use his helping board and make safe choices. He left with dad (not happy in the least) but he went calmly and hopefully was able to turn it around quickly. I am so proud of him. I love the plan that SH has set up for him. I think we will have a lot of success if the school and dad can follow through and implement the plan throughout the day, EVERY day. I hope they can, but if I'm really honest, I'm really afraid that dad can't/won't do it. He only implemented a few elements of it in front of me, and not even the most important parts.

Well, it's out of my hands. I can't control others, only myself. I will pray and do everything I need to do to make Wills transition home a great one, where he feels safe and happy. Please God, hold him in your handstand take care of him.

These pictures show how one bag of clothes/items goes into the hospital and comes out with 4 more bags. Then a picture of Will showing me how Ted he was to leave SH. Then a picture of him tying his shoe in front of Friendly's. Then drawing on his placemat inside Friendly's. What an amazing little (or not so little) child of mine. I love him so.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Tomorrow is the day!

I'm so excited and a little nervous. Tomorrow Will comes home. I can't wait. We are going out to lunch when we leave and then he is going to school.

Speaking of school. I called the special education director for South Portland schools and felt completely blown off by her. I was promised by the school that they would do everything in their power to support us and Will. They were told they needed to shadow at Spring Harbor for the last 2 weeks before discharge. Did they do this? No. His teacher came in today for 2 hours today!! The LAST day he will be there for school. I feel like they completely dropped the ball. So, today I wrote an e-mail to the superintendent of South Portland schools. I have not heard back yet. I'm a little disappointed to have heard nothing, but I guess I have to learn to be patient.

I think part of my problem is that I'm getting antsy about tomorrow. I WANT his home NOW!!! Like right now! As in this very minute. Get the picture? How am I going to sleep tonight? Which also means that tomorrow night I'll be back in my own bed! Yeah!

What do I mean you ask? Well, the first 2 nights Will was in SH I tried to sleep in my own bed. It wasn't working for me. I couldn't stop listening for Will, and missing him THAT much more. (if that's even possible) So, I have been sleeping on an inflatable mattress in my massage room for 6 weeks. Don't feel bad for me, it's actually quite comfortable. When I do sleep, I've gotten pretty good sleep down stairs. I have to admit though, I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, AND knowing that Will is in the next room.

Tomorrow my life will change forever, but I'm excited for it. This will mean my child is home with me and I'm working hard to ensure he has a better/easier life. (well, as much as I can control, which lets face it, isn't much. ;))

I also have learned in the last week or so that I NEED to make time for myself so I can be a better parent. (thanks PH) what can I say. I had 6 weeks and it wasn't until week 5 I did anything for myself? Guess I'm a really slow learner. At least I can learn. Right?

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Getting closer!

We had a meeting on Friday. We now have a discharge date! He is coming home Thursday the 15th. The discharge meeting is at 10:30. So we will hopefully be walking out of there about 11am!!!

We had 2 more TTV's. Friday after the meeting Will, his dad and I went to the Mall and walked around for a while then Will and I went home for a short visit before heading back to SH. Then yesterday Will and I spent the whole afternoon together. We had a few struggles but I kept to the behavior plan and each time he struggled he was able to turn it around quickly.

This just goes to show that the hard work is just beginning, but it is so worth it.

I get my baby back in 4 days. Count 'em- 4!!!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Spring Harbor

Well, as hard as it is not having Will with me, I have to admit that he has been transformed while at SH. He now tells me he likes himself, he thinks he's smart, funny, and creative. Wow!

Now, this doesn't mean that things are magically fixed and we will have a "typical child" when he comes home next week. Because the hard work is still ahead, it's just wonderful to start from such a positive place and know he can feel so good about himself.

He has become such a happy, smiling , confident child in the last couple of weeks it is truly astounding. There is also a quiet confidence in him about his gender identity. He was asked what his life would look like in 20 years and he said that he will have had a sex change operation and will be a good parent. Willow it is.......

I guess this means I get the boy and girl that I always wanted in one amazing child. Will is definitely one of a kind, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am truly blessed. Thank you God.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

TTV

What is a TTV? Well, I cant remember what it actually stands for, but it means: home visit!!!!!

I drove to SH and arrived at 10:45am. I was supposed to stay for lunch and then we would leave. Well, Will had other plans. He said he wanted to go out to lunch, he was sick of pizza as much as he enjoys it. It was decided. We left at 11 and went to Elevation Burger. Great place! He did a great job. Then we went to my parents house for a visit. Again, went well. He was so excited to find out they had a new printer and giving us theirs. It's a printer/copier/scanner. This kid is in seventh heaven!

Then he wanted to go HOME! So we went home. We set up the printer, he printed out a couple pictures to bring back to SH. We played some wii, he jumped on his trampoline, played with some toys, looked at some new Pokemon cards and even snuggled for about a minute on the couch together. (he's growing up, I think that may be one of the last snuggles I get :(. Ah well, independence is a good thing right? Insert long drawn out sigh here---). Will told me it was time to go back. When I asked if he wanted to he said no. I have to give this kid credit! He knew what he needed, even if he didn't want it. Such a smart kid!

We returned to SH, he asked me to stay, I said yes. We went to group where a couple of kiddos were having a very challenging time. Will was amazing! Then he once again got me to dance in front of the staff and kiddos. (can we say humiliating?). I told him I was going to leave when dinner time rolled around. He seemed upset by this and asked me to stay for supper. He gave me the puppy dog eyes-how could I say no? I stayed for supper. When it was over Will "became" a 1 week old kitten. He said it was because he was so happy to be with me. When I hugged and kissed him goodbye he became upset and teary. This was the first time in his whole life he's shown any separation anxiety. It broke my heart, although it warmed my heart that he enjoyed spending all day with me and didn't want it to end.

I got a call that night saying he had a hard time, needed a restraint and an open door seclusion. I guess it's not too surprising as it was such a different day for him. It's his first day out in over a month, as well as the longest visit we've had together. He fell asleep quickly though. Guess I wore him out. :) they actually had to wake him up to take his meds. How I love this little boy, can't wait to have him home with me and to start on this long journey to a better life for him.