How far we have come

The picture above of my son at 13, he was happy that day. Those were few and far between. Everyday was turbulent to say the least. With a variety of disabilities under the umbrella of Brain Damage, my son struggled with and uncertain world. Were noises were too loud, sun was too bright, and social cues were a foreign language.

He was a normal baby until he got sick in the summer of 1994. Bitten by a black fly, a common occurrance, especially in Nfld, turned into a not so common illness. He turned septic which caused a fever of 104, an emergency surgery to take his hip out and clean out bacteria that had settled there. He spent 3 wks in traction, another 4 wks in a body cast, at two years old this was a traumatic event in his little life.

He learned to walk and speak again and we had a boy back. Years later we learned the devestating effects of that illness. Brain Damage was diagnosed at age 13, while at a Pediactric Psych ward. Among other diagnosis that fit under this one was, Sensory Processing Disorder (age 9),  ADD (age 10) Non Verbal Learning Disability, and OCD (age 12)

It has been a struggle for all of us, with violent tatrums, medications, and people who just don't understand.
Today he is 17 and will be graduating from a Vocational program, then off to a year in a vocational communtiy college. It amazes me that we have made it this far, especially with very little support from community resources.

We have new obstacles ahead of us, getting my son ready for assisted living. It upsets me to know that he can't stay with us anymore, to stressful. I have to apply for assisted income for him, but he will work. This will all be ready by the end of June. I was told that someone else can take over for me now, that I can just be mom. I don't think I am ready for that. It has been me all these years, fighting for him, preparing him, teaching him right from wrong, teaching social skills, everything a mom does and more.

I am not ready to stop being an advocate for my son. I am proud of my son, he has turned into a strong young man, who has a heart. He is my life, my special son.