Normal Life

As some of you may know my wife and I have a special needs child. Although it's kinda hard to call him a child considering he's now in his 20's. Our oldest son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when he was around 5 years old. He and I spent a week in Atlanta where pediatric specialist checked a number of things including hearing, vision, mental function, and the conclusion of their findings was Asperger's. So for the next 12 years and two rural county school systems, we have fought, worked, and went through more parent-teacher conferences than I care to remember; but we got through the public school system. I'm sure much to the relief of the Wheeler County Board of Education.

I think what got me thinking about this was first the fact that I could hear our son through the wall enjoying himself in his room clapping and humming happily to himself. And second because, today I went through another interrogation session with SSI to make sure a no miracle had occurred and that he or she had been magically cured since last year. I don't know why I let these things bother me, I've been dealing with this bureaucracy for 29 years,. But it does "ride up my crawl" to think that a system that was set up for individuals like them, honestly believes we do this for the money. Seriously, can I show you the check.

I guess the thing that made it so poignant today was that the appointment was on my wife and I's wedding anniversary. Of all the things I tell you about honesty this subject is hard to discuss, simply because it involves someone I love and not just myself. But after a while the things others may find difficult you find routine, even boring. Things like reminding people of the things that need to be done and how. That storming off at the store is not proper behavior. Making sure you bring a pair of ear plugs with you to the movies. And reminding yourself that the way they are is the way it's going to be.

Despite our son's lack of social graces or my wife's tendency to forgot multiple tasks, she woke up this morning and said to me, "Happy Anniversary, dear." Which like most typical males I had forgotten. So for those of you that may wonder what it's like to be a caretaker, let me respond by saying, I wouldn't know. Because around here this is normal life and I wouldn't have it any other way.