I love them. I love every hair on each of their freshly shampooed heads. Nobody could have a stronger love or love them more fiercely than I do. That being said....I am LOVING that it is Monday and all the buses showed up.....

Just testing

Being the parent of dependent kids physical strength is important. I'm what I call a "big strong girl from farm". I am not from the farm though big would be a good adjective to describe me. That being said I like to test myself every once in a while to see exactly how 'functionally' strong I am meaning how much weight can I actually lift, carry and or transfer. 

The little warrior is quadriplegic so has no weight bearing skills and will require lifelong full support for all of his positioning. I was lucky with Ailish as she had reached her full height at age nine or maybe earlier so her final height and weight at her passing was that of a kindergartener. Though small for his age there is no reason to predict that the little warrior will not continue to grow to be the size of an adult even if it is a small one. 

Luckily for me I have someone the perfect size to assess my skills!  I'm really hopeful the boy does not grow to be bigger than her. Certainly there are lifts etc and we will make use of whatever makes life easier however for time and ease and even quality of life for him lifting and moving is so much easier without all the rigamrol of equipment. It goes without saying however that safety for both him and myself is paramount and we will adapt as necessary. 

That all being said you might be pleased to know I am still able to lift and carry safely 95 lbs!  You might also be amused that my 18 year old still fits in a crib....

Siblings

If it is within your control and something you desire the best gift you can give your child with special needs is a sibling. 

Siblings whether they share disabilities or not offer each other a relationship different than what the adults in their lives can offer. 

There has been an early Christmas Miracle around here!

One of the children based on cultural restrictions on adoption has had to remain under foster care status for as long as he has been home with us  When I brought him home from hospital after seven months of advocating to do so it was with the goal of adoption.  The social worker was totally on board with the plan.  The worker then began whatever proceedings to make it all happen and soon learns that "they don't do adoptions".  Oh.  She was told to work towards private guardianship.  Ok.  Not as good but still permanent.  Lets go.  That's where things stopped.  Fast forward through a few social workers some who advocate better than others, policy changes, management changes and you get to where we are today.....

ONE OF THE BEST DAYS EVER!!!!!

Unexpectedly I get a call from social services telling me that I have been granted permission for private guardianship!  I say unexpected because my quest has been ongoing but nothing active that I could say was occurring that I was aware of.

There you have it!  Miracles do happen!

All the logistics still have to be taken care of but we should be in court or at least someone will be in court where the little darling will be legally ours.  He had our hearts the moment we met him but guardianship as I'm sure you can imagine has been the important missing piece of the puzzle.

I won't identify who it is exactly I am referring to until the papers are in my hot little hand.

What's the saying?  Good things happen to those who wait?  I'm going to go out on a limb and say this wait was pushing it to the limit!  (Followed closely behind the wait for a new baby which I continue to wait impatiently for ;)).

Could I be so greedy as to have TWO Christmas Miracles this year?

Minding my own business paying for my stuff at the Bulk Barn, look at the screen and see that I have been "awarded" the seniors discount! Without my consent! And without being a senior! I am now currently in jail wishing they had a seniors discount for bail....