acceptance

It's been a while since I've blogged.
My niece told me once she could tell when life was hard for me because- I stop blogging. She hit that right on the button!
Yes, life has thrown a curve ball our way, but it's okay now.
Acceptance- I've been working on acceptance. I think I'm almost there now?
Truth be told- I'm not there at all- but yes-- I'm working on it.
Here I am writing about it, that's a good sign, right?
A couple of weeks ago my favorite 12 year old was diagnosed with developing Tourettes.
Trent- man o' man I love this kid.
ADHD, Aspergers, Anxiety disorder, OCD, and now developing Tourettes Syndrome.
Okay, okay... I knew he had it- sure I did. I'm his mother I could see the beginnings. I had read up & I knew it was a possibility.

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Some background- Several months ago I talked to another mom (hi Becky) about her son's OCD. She had told me all about a specialist at the University of Utah - how he was such a great doctor who had helped them tremendously. I had this pressing feeling we needed to see him too. I let it go- but the feeling kept coming back. Finally, the week school got out I called- got the paper work (like 20 pages to fill out!), sent it in & got on the "list" to be seen. Then- it happened- we had our first appointment 10 weeks later. It was absolutely apparent by this time- there was more going on with Trent than months ago when my friend & I had talked. Big changes. Jerking movements- obsessive quick whistles, unusual comments- We talked through all of this with the specialist- Brett & I & Trent.
It felt like we were there with the specialist JUST IN TIME.

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Some interesting facts about Tourettes:
*10% of Asperger kids develop Tourettes- 80% of those grown out of it.
*Tourettes is not officially diagnosed until it has been a full year (even if they patient shows all signs)
*Although there are a lot of common tics- not all tics are the same. Only 10% of people who have Tourettes swear as their tic.
*Tourettes peaks in early adolescence between 10-13. It is usually controlled or gone by 18, although many adults experience tics into adult hood- they are at their peak earlier. (You know, teens don't have enough going on in their changing bodies!!)

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Someone said to me recently- "My life feels so hard, then I think of you & my life isn't that hard!" What the heck-I had no idea what she was talking about?

Her words have been ringing threw my head.

I have spent the last couple of days feeling sorry for my boy, for myself. Feeling angry. Then feeling humble- Then feeling blessed. Then feeling sorry again- repeat.

I've met with his teachers now - he started some anxiety RX (it could reduce tics 30%-50%) - we have adjusted his IEP. I've talked to the parents of the boys his age in the neighborhood... most of them

The good news:

Because of a recent change in the legislature (I think?- I didn't really hear the real reason I was so excited!) Trent's class was changed from 34 students to 22. (34 students- IMPOSSIBle for anyone to learn!) A new teacher was hired- the class lists were adjusted. The boy... one boy who bullies him at times- is not in his class. His new teacher, who is fantastic by the way, told me the janitor came in & took 12 desks out of her room! It feels personal- a miracle really. A personal miracle - now my boy has a chance of having a GREAT school year.

**

We are tried, We are blessed.

I know He has a plan for me & for T. For all of us!

I don't know why? I know it's not "my fault." Yes I've struggled with that one.

I am learning

acceptance-

acceptance is the first step in thriving, succeeding, overcoming & achieving.

for me anyway.