Jake, the rock climber, maybe?

Jake is sick again due to the recent temperature fluctuations. He has had fevers for the past two nights; they usually were the highest between 1 am to 3 am. Along with rising temperature, he was arching his whole body and was crying as if he was in pain. The problem is we don’t know what and where he was hurting since he is non-verbal.

I have today off; I contacted a PT (physical therapist) who was recommended to me by Jake’s OT (occupational therapist). We love Jake’s PT Kevin and would not trade him for a million dollars, but this particular PT is offering something very interesting. She is attempting to put together a rock climbing program for children with CP. She told me she is a climber and would like to offer a climbing class for children with disabilities. The goal of this project is not only to provide therapeutic benefits, but also to provide an opportunity where special needs children can participate in a leisure activity as well as meet with other children with similar needs.

She is going to keep me informed of the first session once they finalize the time and place. But there is a possibility that Jake may be too young to participate due to requirement of the climbing facility. But we will see.

I am no longer unemployed

So the latest news is that I started working part time this week. Today was the first day, and I survived! For the past 4 years, my life revolved around Jake’s needs. But now in addition to taking care of Jake’s needs, I will have a chance to do something else to balance my life a little bit. However, I am grateful for the experience in the past 4 years, not only because Jake has made a great amount of progress, but also because I have gained great friendships with many people who’ve came into our lives to help Jake. They have shown my child kindness and compassion, and they have transformed me into a kinder human being as well.

Don’t worry about Jake, he is well taken care of by his respite care provider after school, and soon his grandma will be here to help take care of him on the days that I have to work.. Grandma will spoil him rotten with all kinds of yummy food and she is only ecstatic that I won’t be there to stop her!