Feel like crying

Dithering_Dad

chevalier wrote: »

Hi DD
What a situation to be in. Are you as parents getting any support? Tell you a story, my DS1 was a beautiful baby, still is even tho' he is nearly 6! But when he was 8 months old, we found out that he was severely allergic to cows milk. It was a total shock - having your little boy with his mouth swelling up and not being able to swallow was terrifying. We had more tests and he is allergic to egg too.

The reason why I am telling you this is because I had a bit of a grief reaction. I was mourning the fact that my son had changed. His life wasn't going to be as normal as other children's.

Hi chevalier, Lucy was also allergic to cows milk when she was a baby, though didn't have a reaction anything like your son's. We used to get her soya milk, which I think in some ways was better for her anyway. She's fine though now. She may have gotten that from me because I have a reaction to cream - it makes my mouth tingle and me dizzy. Doesn't stop me eating cream cakes though, I am prepared to put up with the consequences, cakes are great!

I had a long, hard think about how I feel about Lucy's problems and I can say that hand on heart (apart from the toiletting) if I could wave a wand and make her "normal" I don't think I would. She has a unique personality because of her issues and so if she didn't have her problems, she wouldn't be the same person. The way she shouts "come on Daddy lets run" and then runs in her crap way with arms everwhere while I walk beside her is just delightful. She says "Look at me hop Dad" and then does something odd that she calls a 'hop', which is a bit like a jump but with one leg higher than the other. Best of all is her sweet nature, and this is what we think will get her through life, kids and adults just can't help liking her and wanting to help her or look out for her. She's a sweetie and I wouldn't change her for the world.

I had some great news last night. Completely out of the blue I had a phone call last night from a company in Manchester who have offered me a 6 month contract just 40 mins commute from my house!! The only other "iron in the fire" I had was a possible 3 month contract in Brussles (which was getting me down in light of recent events). If I was a religious person I would have had hairs stood up on the back of my neck when I got the phone call! It's just perfect, and I didn't even apply for it or have an interview for it (the resource manager knows me and knew that I was available in June). When fate closes a door, it opens a window!

Mrs D is over the moon and I'll be home every night now for 6 months, with a possible extension if more work comes along. Chuffed

Karmacat

Hi DD
I've been following your postings on a few threads - mfw in 3 most recently, wow, is all I can say to that one, and, um, I'm gonna join really soon.

I love what you've written about Lucy, and I'm so happy for you about the Manchester job, thats really wonderful. The universe looks after its own.

gettingitsorted

Hi DD iv been reading your thread and im sooooo glad things are turning a corner for you and you are going to be able to spend time at home with your family

tigtag02

Thats great news DD - I'm dead chuffed for you and the Ditherettes

Now I must go explain to my pals at work why I have tears in my eyes. Your love for Lucy shines through so much in the above post I absolutely, vehemently, FORBID you to ever even think you are a !!!!!! dad again!!

Take Care
tigtag

hypno06

Fab news about the new contract - it will give you all the time you need together, as a family, to work out where to go next.

Congrats x

Toto

DD as I mentioned I have a daughter with a collection of special needs (she seems to get a new one every year to add to the list) She has Autism, fragile x syndome, ADHD, epilepsy and now some behaviour disorder. She is adorable though, a complete pain in the behind at times but a beautiful little sweetheart all the time. And I wouldn't change her either.

Amber goes to a special school for kids with severe learning difficulties and it's great. There is no chance she could go to mainstream. Yearly we have a review of her statement, which basically gives me the chance to talk about things I would like the school to work on with her, but also gives the LEA a chance to review if the school is right for her. I think the best thing about the special schools is that the resources are there, under one roof. There is a physio on staff, there is a swimming pool, speech therapy, music therapy, sensory zone, the kids even get reflexology sessions. There are schools for kids with mild to moderate special needs and I wonder if Lu would be happier and get more attention there?

The LEA have a responsibility to make sure that all kids get the best education for their abilities. Some kids just need some help with physical things, some, like amber need a lot more. But rather than think that private might be the best for your daughter, perhaps you could look at what's available in your area?

Toto

Oh and fab news about the contract, someone was smiling down on you listening. I'm not religious either, but sometimes it makes you think doesn't it.

Seaxwyn

Wow DD that is great news about the work near your home. I'm not religious either but I have a wishy-washy half belief in 'fate' that sometimes seems to step in and make the right thing happen.

Dithering_Dad

Thanks Toto. Mrs Dither looked everywhere for Lu and agonised over which school to send her. The best school unfortunately had a load of stairs and lu would have ended up falling down them on a daily basis so she went with the 2nd best school. As I said before, I think I may have misrepresented them in my earlier posts while I was a bit upset, they are very supportive and the teachers Lu has in reception and the ones she will have over the next two years are great. It's just they can't be expected to stop teaching every hour or so to change Lu if she has had an accident. It really would be unfair for the other kids if Lus problems impacted their education, so we do understand the teacher's dilemma. All the problems lie at the door of the LEA, who have (finally!) just supplied the half day support. Mrs D has sent off another report to the LEA and has the backing of the school SENCO and Lu's Occupational Therapist so we're hopefull-ish that we can force them to provide full day support.

Mrs D is a qualified teacher, but had to give up her career when we had Lu so that she could take care of her (you can imagine how that decimated our family income when a teacher's salary was removed :eek:). If we could get the full time support for Lu, then Mrs D could then start teaching again on a part-time basis which would be great for her as she really misses it. It'd make such a positive impact all round if we can get the support, so we'll be pushing the LEA all the way, even to court if needs be.

B.W._Fox

Dithering_Dad wrote: »

I had some great news last night. Completely out of the blue I had a phone call last night from a company in Manchester who have offered me a 6 month contract just 40 mins commute from my house!! ... If I was a religious person I would have had hairs stood up on the back of my neck when I got the phone call! It's just perfect, and I didn't even apply for it or have an interview for it (the resource manager knows me and knew that I was available in June). When fate closes a door, it opens a window!

Mrs D is over the moon and I'll be home every night now for 6 months, with a possible extension if more work comes along. Chuffed

Over the moon. Exactly. What a stroke of luck, and remember, it's luck that you made happen by being diligent and affable.

Well done,

B