Safe at Home
By Cathy Jameson
A nurse from the one of the agencies that provides services for my son calls every 3 months. “Hi, Mrs. Jameson. How is Ronan? Does he need anything? Do you need anything?” Those calls are quick because Ronan’s been doing fine, he doesn’t need anything, and I don’t need anything either.
Every six months, the nurse calls with scripted questions that keep us in the system and qualified for continued care. Once a year, she visits us. I’m always prepared for those visits and have appreciated the extra medical resources her agency can offer. Besides resources, they can also offer medical supplies. Ronan’s benefitted from having those items, for which I’m grateful. Before the last home visit, I thought about what new items he might need but couldn’t think of any. I also looked back at my notes from previous visits and jotted a few things I wanted to ask about. For the next visit, the nurse who had met with us for years wouldn’t be joining us. It would be a new person joining Team Ronan.
I’m happy that the nurse who’d seen us through a few issues was moving on to something else. But getting new people on board after all the things we’ve had to manage, and have successfully avoided, didn’t feel comfortable. It felt like work. Keeping my child safe and healthy is my job, so I got to work doing a little bit more prep work for the in-home visit.
The day the new nurse came was less stressful than I thought it would be. She was kind, lovely, and had years’ worth of really good notes from the nurse we’d know for years. She even knew that flu shots are something we don’t care for. That topic would be the tell-tale sign – if she hassled me, I knew to do more listening than talking. If she didn’t, I’d still do more listening than talking, but I’d be open to hearing what she had to say. With Ronan no longer under 18, the questions on his forms changed, including social/emotional needs. No longer were they about which toys and activities he liked to do. They were questions you’d hear an adult being asked.
I have a good poker face, so didn’t let her know the first question shocked me:
Does Ronan feel safe at home?
Yes.
[Geez, lady. What a question! He loves being home. LOVES it.]
With his special needs, I’m going to say he’s not out partying.
Right.
[WHAT?!]
He’s not smoking?
Nope.
[Good grief.]
Or drinking?
No.
The more questions she asked, the more one-syllable responses I gave. It satisfied her checkboxes, and it secured care for my son for another year. With that done, I thanked the new nurse for her time and filed the paperwork. On her way out, she could see that Ronan was happy, healthy, and safe with us at home.
Last Friday, we took Ronan out for dinner just because. Well, mostly because it had been an incredibly busy week for me, and I didn’t want to make dinner. We went to our usual place, but forgetting it was Friday night, the place was packed. We went to another restaurant that we know Ronan enjoys. Again, we saw a line out the door of patrons waiting for a table. We drove farther into town, but four times that evening, we left because the wait was so long. The fifth place, another go-to local eatery was open, empty, and perfect! Ronan loves it there, and we loved seeing him so happy.
Once dinner was over, we headed home. We didn’t have the energy to do anything else. And Ronan didn’t seem to mind going straight back. Walking into the house with his little sister, he smiled. He was home. And he was incredibly happy to be there.
Keeping him happy, healthy, and safe. It’s my job, and I’m very happy to keep doing it.
Cathy Jameson is a Contributing Editor for Age of Autism.
###
You can buy Vax-Unvax Let the Science Speak By Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Brian Hooker, PhD for just $1.99 Kindle edition. The Kindle app works on your tablet or smart phone and is free! Hardcover also available and can never be deleted. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
The Studies the CDC Refuses to Do
This book is based on over one hundred studies in the peer-reviewed literature that consider vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations. Each study is analyzed, and health differences among infants, children, and adults who have been vaccinated and those who have not are presented and put in context.
Given the massive push to vaccinate the entire global population, this book is timely and necessary for individuals to make informed choices for themselves and their families.
The Wuhan Cover-Up: And the Terrifying Bioweapons Arms Race (Children’s Health Defense)
By Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
“Whenever I read, listen to, or debate Bobby, I learn something new and change my mind on at least one or two issues, while vehemently disagreeing with many others. Both the agreements and disagreements stimulate my thinking and emotions, even when they make me angry or concerned. Read him and make up your own minds." —Alan Dershowitz
“The Wuhan Cover-Up will blow out of the water the international disinformation campaign by US and Chinese government officials and their bribed scientists that COVID-19 somehow magically jumped out of the Wuhan wet market. Kennedy’s book will provide the ammunition needed for us lawyers to hold them all legally accountable for this Nuremberg Crime against Humanity.” —Professor Francis A. Boyle, author of the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989
Hello to all! No place like home for our kids. A house of Love- we do our best to give it to our children!
Thanks.
G. Martinez
Posted by: Gerardo Martinez | January 29, 2024 at 01:02 PM
Cathy-I agree that keeping our sons happy, healthy and safe is our top priority. My son is also very happy to be at home with his family who loves him so much.
Posted by: Gayle | January 28, 2024 at 10:51 AM
With my two elderly parents for the last 15 years; any one that smacked of health care would ask them those questions. DO you feel safe at home, Do you feel like harming yourself.
Some health care workers would tell what they were seeing out in the community. It isn't pretty.
I have nurse friends up at the hospital and they say some of these adult kids are just out right mean and hatful to their elderly parents.
One was a bit of dismay on why the adult children, care givers would not even pick up their empty water bottles on the floor.
My son will let trash pile up around him. The only reason he picks it up is because we have a battle.
Another problem, drowning in trash on your death bed.
Posted by: Benedetta | January 28, 2024 at 10:40 AM