eSpecially Ben

About three months ago, Ben stopped responding to his usual sleep regimen of 5 mg of melatonin at 7pm and a prescribed sleeping pill called Doxepin, at 11pm. He was wild with energy until midnight, crawling around the house, throwing Logan out of his bed, visiting different couches and cackling at his favorite artwork in the house. He was a wired mess and on many nights took off his clothes and pull-up, opened the fridge and pulled out foods to make a smoothie. With the okay of the doctor, I increased the dosage on both the melatonin and Doxepin. It made no difference. I added herbal teas that promoted sleep, even trying different brands in hope to find one to do the trick. Nothing worked. We were at our wits end. I decided a detox was needed. No more melatonin, no more Doxepin. When I remembered, I gave him a tea, but that did not seem to have a huge effect on him, except adding to fluid that needed handling, if you get my drift. After about two more weeks of this crazy behavi...

It was March 2013 when I started the process to build a bathroom for Ben. After much heartache and tears, a few wonderful people stepped in to help me with the process. Through their contacts and persistence, they found sponsors. Although I do not have many details, I do know that a few key Charlotte organizations are coming together to build Ben an accessible bathroom. There will be a fundraising event in the fall. As soon as I know more information, I will share. Deep breath. Relax. Repeat.

Summer hit fast and furious. It is finding time to write and not lack of material that is the challenge.  The stories and lessons learned every day are limitless.  Must follow my motto: sleep first, then write.

We visited the NC Transportation Museum to see part of an exhibit with famous trains from all over the country. While there, I saw an older, almost elderly, man and woman pushing three wheelchaired adults. What I noticed lead me to several questions and many conclusions: It was an obvious struggle for them, especially the woman who was pushing one wheelchair. I assumed this was a group home on an outing. I also saw that one chair did not have foot rests. The person's feet were just dangling. I was glad the group home was out on a field trip, but I really thought they were understaffed and perhaps needed younger, more healthier looking personnel. It made me think of Ben's future and his care. My curiosity got the better of me. When Ben and I caught up to them, I said hello and acknowledged that they must have a hard time pushing three wheelchairs with just two of them. I asked the man how come they were short-staffed. He looked at me slowly, very slowly. He looked at the woman...