Everyday stuff 4-16-08

Lets see.....
If you don't know Dan-O is 16 and stays during the week at the Deaf School and comes home on weekends. He started there this school year. He went in with little or no signing ability. We live about and hour north so not too far for this over protective mommy. He stays in the dorms because I felt that it would be best for him to be totally immersed in the Deaf culture and he would learn faster not just the academic signs but everyday used signs. He went from ready to drop out of school his freshman year in high school and talking about only working in construction or something like that to a 180°. He is on the honor roll, Class Prez, DAB-deaf academic bowl regional competition, playing sports all year: Football, Basketball, Track, has a wonderful girl friend, talking about colleges: RIT, Galadete, etc. Dan-O has found a whole new world available to him.

I am still on the outskirts of this community and culture. I'm hard or hearing too but was raised by a hearing family that tried to give me the opportunity of living in the hearing world. I really appreciate that they gave both my sister and I a chance to lead as normal a life as possible in the hearing world but we are both finding that we not able to much longer. My hearing is better then Trish's but still finding everyday life more isolated then it used to be. I have volunteered in Headstart, Progress Center (birth to 3yrs disabled children), community programs boards (eg. WIC, low income med. & dental clinic), etc. but I my hearing has dropped so much that I only get a few words in the meetings or have to have people repeat what was said and constantly remind others to talk louder. I'm having a hell of a time learning sign, I have the basic words down needed to give directions to Zayben, animals, colors, etc. so I can talk to a 2 year old but not enough to have a small conversation. I understand more then I can sign, but it seems that my hands don't want to do what my head is saying.

I know I'm not the only one with these problems, worries, and fears but sometimes it feels like Trish and I are in this together and all alone. I'm not a pity me person but every so often it just gets to a person. You know?!

Last night one of Dan-O's friends Geo and his sister showed up at my house in the middle of the night and needed a place to stay. Geo asked if he could live here and his sister just needed to stay until they could find their mom. Because of some bad choices there mom lost their place to live and were homeless for a while. Apparently the kids have been living with grandparents but things aren't working out, so they came here. Everyone knows if you need food, a place to sleep, or someone to talk to I'm here for them. I had found Geo sitting at an outside café in the middle of the night a while back and brought him home with us. He had planned on staying there until time to go to school the next day. Not in my world. Kids need somewhere safe to sleep, a good meal, most of all that they are loved and someone gives a damn about them. Geo stayed a day or so and went back to the place his mom was staying even though he didn't feel safe there. I don't know the whole story but she is staying with friends. Apparently he went to stay with his grandparents soon after that.

This isn't the first time I have taken in someone else's kids. We were privileged to have Dalton stay with us all last year until he was able to move back in with his mom in July. I have taken in other kids over the years some for a few weeks and others for longer. I think of each one of them as mine! I'm very lucky that my husband is understanding and loving, he is willing to except each kid and willing to put up with the special circumstances each one brings. I haven't ever had any legal custody of these kids because I wanted the parents to be able to take their kids home with out having to deal with all the CPS bull. Plus I don't know if I would be eligible to be a foster parent because we don't have a lot of money to deal with all the legal stuff. To me it's not a money issue but a love issue.

Well Devôn needs some mommy time so I'm outta here.