Jonah’s 15th birthday was Tuesday, March 7th. He did really well at school – they had a little party for him, he had a big ice cream cake at his residence, and in general he’s been better behaviorally again. I’ve been depressed, and off-the-charts anxious, and am figuring out new doctors and medications – hence my infrequent blog posts. I don’t want to complain and rave about myself but I’ve been isolating from people and sleeping too much, struggling to wait for the springtime, hoping it brings me peace with its sunshine and warmth. I am grateful I have a good job working for an organization that helps empower disabled people, which is kind of perfect for me.
One thing Andy and I have to do now is begin the process of identifying our hopes and goals for Jonah’s future, including adult placement options. It’s overwhelming to consider – seems every time I get accustomed to one part of this journey, another comes along and sweeps the rug right from under my already unsteady legs. I have a name and number to call and get us started. They recommend beginning the process at age 15, even though individuals at the Anderson Center for Autism do not “age out” until they turn 21. There’s a lot to it – we need to get things in place with social services, disability, ensuring we have guardianship, setting up a special needs trust, and more. And under this new administration I feel Jonah is less protected, his services jeopardized.
I hope I’m wrong.
I’ll be back as I can with updates, and photos, and to share more than I am able to lately.
Happy Birthday, Boo!
It’s always nice to hear from you, even if you’re not in the best headspace. I hope you find peace and equilibrium and things fall into place for you soon., Thanks for updating.
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Happy birthday to Jonah; I was glad to read your post, glad that you updated. Thank you. You are so often in my thoughts, and in my ears indirectly through music. I send much love.
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Fifteen – Wow! What happened to that little boy singing in front of the mirror? We know they must grow up but other people’s children remain children in our minds. I hope that this next transition will be smooth. if you had told me our nephew and ‘ward’ would be living on his own and managing relatively well, admittedly with support, and would be polite on the phone and be buying Dave and I presents that he has chosen himself, I’d have doubted your word but it is true. Having arranged his care and well being, all the years since his parents’ death, we are finally seeing results though we still have to deal with Social Services for him and do all those things he finds impossible. Ironically, we now find ourselves doing the same for my mother whose health at 91, gave us a scare recently. The experience of dealing with the care system and Social Service for J stands us in good stead now. Happy Birthday Jonah! 🙂 X
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Hearing that Jonah turned 15 on March 7 blows me away. It seems like yesterday that you visited me in my Woodstock studio while you were very obviously pregnant with him. I’m happy to hear that he is calmer and that he enjoyed his birthday celebration. Good luck planning for his adulthood. While 21 seems a long time from now, those six years will pass as quickly as have the nearly six years since Jonah began living at Anderson. Good luck, too, with finding your own equilibrium. I’m sending Love and Light from the Catskills.
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