Skip to main content

Saying Goodbye

Over the past seven years, we have had so many wonderful therapists, caregivers, teachers and friends enter our lives because of Ben.

Desiree is one of Ben's physical therapists, and she is leaving her position next month. Her husband was offered a job opportunity in another state where they happen to also own a home.

Desiree  is a straight shooter who cares about her clients intently. She has helped us make decisions about walkers and tricycles. She introduced Ben to the TAOS. Desiree works Ben hard each time, but always in a caring and safe manner.

Saying good bye in this day and age is not as it once was. Desiree won't ride into the sunset never to be heard from again. We have Facebook, Twitter and blogs - we can stay in one another's lives, if even peripherally.

The people who have helped Ben along the way are almost like his own milestones. They take him part of the way on his journey and then leave him in the care of another.

Comments

  1. Dear Ben,

    It has been a pleasure working with you, you have been amazing to work with and have grow up so much since I have first started working with you! You have shown that nothing is out of your reach if you put your mind to it! Continue to grow and meet your goals, nothing is unachievable it you put your mind to it.

    With Love,

    Desiree

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is a beautiful picture. It is hard to say goodbye to the people who have made a change for good in our lives. Best of luck to you all!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for reading my post. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. If you wish to contact me directly, please let me know and I will email you.

Popular posts from this blog

Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities

  "Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities" is a series on eSpeciallyBen. As Ben approached 18, it was clear our role changed as parents. We needed to help Ben transition into adulthood. These stories are meant to assist other families who face, or will face, some of the same challenges. Talking About the Future Guest Post - Matt Wilson Legal Guardianship, Medicaid and SSI Researching Group Homes Questions to Ask at a Group Home Visit Referral Packet for Group Homes Getting Assistance from a Care Manager From Group Home Placement to Discharge Reaching for Independence

Make this Race Amazing

Mecklenburg County's Therapeutic Recreation's Amazing Race is Saturday, March 24, 2012. All funds raised go directly to the scholarship fund for summer camp. Summer Camp is 8 weeks long with over 150 children with special needs participating. Last year, over $6,500 was given away in scholarships. In times of budget cuts and loss of resources, Amazing Race is a creative way for the staff to raise money for the children who may need financial assistance attending camp. I will be posting photos from 2011 camp. I am only posting photos that do not show faces of the children, but you will get the idea about how much they enjoy the activities. You don't have to see their smiles, you just have to feel them. The staff have sent me their thoughts on how they feel about camp and I will be posting those as well. Most are trained as recreational therapists and have devoted their life's work to helping children and adults with special needs learn skills, make friends, de...

Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities: From Group Home Placement to Discharge

  Last August, we moved Ben into an alternative family living (AFL) placement, about 90 minutes from our home in Charlotte. It was a three-bedroom house and Ben was given the largest bedroom with its own bathroom.  A typical AFL in North Carolina operates like this: a person with disabilities, the client, moves in with another family, couple or an individual. The client lives in the family’s home and the family receives payment in return for housing, feeding and caring for the client.  Ben’s AFL was unusual: A couple with extensive caregiving experience wanted to run a three-bed group home but needed to apply for the license through the state. They were willing to take Ben as the first resident in a house, separate from the one they lived in. The plan, according to the couple, was to get approval for the group home within a couple of months.  We ordered Ben a double bed, headboard, 54-inch television, new sheets, towels and blankets. Friends helped us move him in....