I do want to say goodbye and good riddens to 2010. I have spent the majority of this year trying to wade through our waiting lists here in Ireland. Whether it be for schools, assessment of need with the hospitals, DCA, Carers allowance, or just waiting to see what the hell the next step is for my brilliant little boy. I said goodbye to my job and became a stay at home mam /Carer/Domicile Administrator/ Desperate Housewife whatever you would like to call it. I never imagined this was the end of my career at 24. Maybe it's not, who knows? I hope not. I think I have a lot to give and right now I know my little man needs me more than any employer and that is why, in this job scarce climate I took the leap. I had many doubts when I left. Aside from the significant reduction to our household income, This was the first time I faced Autism head on 24 hours a day. It is a scary place to find yourself for the first time. I think only mothers of autistic children can totally relate, it is not easy to describe the ups and downs you experience.
Christmas Eve we finally received the psychologists assessment report that I have been fighting for. This report allows us to apply to the ASD specific units which is the first step in the right direction (so I've been told). We still have to wait 8-10 months on services. So to date no speech therapy or occupational therapy for Diddles. I am attempting to study it myself and putting it all into practice is difficult but has been successful!
Diddles taught himself to swim. It has been our first year in our house and we do love where we are now.
Which brings me to my new years resolutions........
I usually would say no resolutions but this year I feel the need to make a small few .....
#1 Get diddles therapies & school in place for 2011
#2 Get organised.
#3 Make time for me.
#4 Bring boys swimming more often.
Have you guys any resolutions for 2011?
Happy new year! I hope it is a better year to all of us! xxxxxxxxxxx
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7 comments:
Well, I quit my job 6 years ago to stay home to my then 5 and 2 year old boys. The diagnoses was expected but hadn't happened yet. I remember the "OMFG" moment when I realised it was Autism 24/7....quite the upper cut.
I was born and raised in Ireland but now live in the USA. We were trying to move back a couple of years ago, but my boys' (both are ASD) needs educationally and therapeutically have put paid to that wish. When I see what we have here and what is (usually not) available in Ireland it makes my blood boil. Keep fighting chicken, DO take time for you.
I burned out last summer after years of advocacy and red tape fighting. If there's anything I can impart, make sure you take a scheduled day/night a week and insist it be your time; treat it like a regular doctor appointment, something you CAN NEVER miss.
My resolutions....stay on the AD's and keep seeing my therapist. Oh and try to find teh $$$ to make it home for a week to see my Mam.
We have so much in common...I also gave up a job I loved to look after my dude, and proceeded to fall to pieces under the weight of it all.
That was 3 years ago, and hand on heart it gets easier. I guess I learned (slowly) to look after myself without feeling selfish and that made an enormous difference.
Also, I understand the awful stress of trying to find a good school. It will get a thousand times better when you are happy with his education (and when you finally come to realise that you can't be teacher/ST/OT/psychologist/play therapist AND mammy). It's just horrible when you're still trying to get there.
Much love to you. You will survive.
XXX
I share your #2 and 3 resolutions. And I can totally relate to 24/7 nature of autism. All the best in 2011!!
@Specialtimes3 thank you so much for stopping by my blog and for sharing your experience with me. Hopefully someday Ireland will catch up with the US, but for now its take a ticket and come back to us in 6 months to a year. My blood seems to be constantly boiling these days :X Thats good advice re "Doc. appt", I really need to do this :D xx
@Jean Thank you xx I am living for the day when we have his slt & ot & school all sorted! Thanks for the reassurance xxx
@Lynn same to you x Happy 2011!
I'm now a veteran of two special needs battles and I did come out the other side. Don't make resolutions that will be hard to achieve, just getting through each day is often an achievement. Hope you have better year in 2011 x
I too gave up working to care for my children. My intention was to go back to work until we discovered that HRH had autism but I don't mind as I reckon I can do a much better job than anyone else could. But yeah, the 24/7 thing can get very full on. I have bouts of envy for my husband who gets a lunch break AND gets to eat it sitting down!! Happy 2011. Jen
@Bluesky @jen same to you ladies heres to a healthy & happy 2011!
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