MRI, EEG, psychological evaluation, TAKS... Tobey's been one assessed young man as of late.
Why all the tests? Tobey has been having some "Tourette's like ticks" for the past year and his neurologist wants to see whether there might be something else going on with Tobey. Is there something else going on? I don't know... After all, it doesn't really change anything. Tobey is still Tobey, regardless of the label they put on him. His needs remain the same.
And, this year, I've come to terms with the realization that his needs are going to be significant. He's been moved into the self-contained classroom and he's officially one of the kids on the "short bus." Gawd, how I hate that joke, and I cringe a bit when I hear it used as an insult.
Still, I'm reminded of a passage from Roy Grinker's book Unstrange Minds when he is putting his daughter to bed and he realizes that he will be doing this for the rest of his life. That he has the privilege of doing this for the rest of his life. When other parents worry about their children going out on dates, moving away to college, flunking out of college, Grinker will have his daughter at home with him.
And, I will have Tobey. He may live in an independent living facility; he may not. But, I will always have him with me in some capacity.
And, that is okay.
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1 comment:
I love you candid statements and true love of a child. I don't have a diagnosed special needs child, but I have had the realization ALREADY, that Hudson will be my child that I am always defending because he is a very free spirit and approaches things so differently. I came face to face with that reality and I will say, it made me smile...and cry, but mostly smile. Thanks for sharing.
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