Our week so far

Monday ... Yet another meeting at the High School. I am getting so tired of these. Sometimes I feel that I am talking to a brick wall and we are getting nowhere. It's almost like the school is beginning to be on the defensive and the big fella just switches off. Thank goodness Marg was there to help me out. She's the lady from Anglicare that is helping us out. It was so good to balance out the numbers.

The big fellas science teacher came in to talk with us about what happened the previous week in the classroom which caused yet another suspension from school.(That's a total of 22 school days suspended!!!) Anyway back to the teacher. I was informed of what happened and how he had threatened to throw a chair (but didn't which I am grateful for). Then I was told that the big fella had threatened to harm himself. OMGosh I was so shocked and ANGRY to only just hear about this from the science teacher. I had NO idea that the big fella had felt that way. I am totally disgusted that the school did NOT inform me of this when I was phoned to come and collect him the week before when he got suspended. I told the School Counsellor when I saw him on Tuesday of these events and I am hoping that he will talk to the Principals and Assistant Principal on my behalf.

I was and still am very annoyed as to the fact that they NEVER told me!!! I mean for goodness sake the big fella is showing classic signs of depression and for him to say that in front of a classroom full of kids is really something. He may have been grandstanding but that isn't the point either. They should've told me so that I can check things out further!!! After we have a family history of depression and with all the meds the big fella is on we really need to know what is going on in his head!!!

We had the missionaries over for an early dinner on Tuesday night because the big fella had a young men's activity at the chapel which Mark is taking him to. So I was like a headless chook running about trying to get dinner ready for 5:30 rather than our usual 6 PM since Mark & the big fella needed to leave around 6:20. He really needs to go to these events and activities because he just needs to be around the right kids.
At least the little dude and I can have some special time together tonight. Although I'm not sure what we will do. The little dude wanted to learn how to crochet so I had better find another crochet hook so he can learn.
Dinner went really well with the missionaries. They stayed for a while after Mark & the big fella left. They were playing the guitar, singing songs from the primary CD one of the primary teachers made so we could learn the songs, doing magic tricks and making origami animals! I think the missionaries and the little dude had a great time. I know I did .. I had fun watching. The little dude and I ended up having a great evening. He did learn to crochet but I think he still needs loads of help.

Wednesday ... let's see nothing much happened here really. Well apart from the fact that I got another phone call from the High School. This time to arrange another appointment/meeting but with the Special Ed lady, Chris, who tested the big fella earlier this term. Finally I get to hear the results. Oh and this lady is the same one who said that the big fella did NOT have Asperger Syndrome when she first met him about 3 years ago. Anyway I told the school that I couldn't go up there early in the morning. I use enough petrol travelling back and forth to the school and that it would create another 50 km drive for me that I am not prepared to make. They gave me Chris's phone number so I tried contacting her but she left the office for the day. But John was there, the Counsellor/Guidance Officer, and he said he would talk with Chris.
I swear they do NOT realise what hardship we go through with the big fella and ALL this extra travelling we do. We've used more than half of our weekly budget just on petrol this week and I don't know how much more of this I can take!
Marg phoned me on Wednesday as well. She was checking out a few things for me. Like how we go about getting the big fella officially tested for Aspergers because Denise from GCAMHS isn't convinced that he has is. How the heck she can decide that is beyond me because she hasn't even met him yet!!! Anyway there is a 15 month waiting list for him to be tested at the Children's hospital. Way too long if you ask me. There is a 12 month wait through GCAMHS which is still fat too long. So the only other option is to have him tested privately. Autism Victoria have a couple o f good psychologists that they use to test children but they are expensive. Marg told me it would cost anywhere between $600 & $800. I almost cried. How on earth are we meant to come up with that kind of money when we live from week to week and can't even afford something as simple as a haircut for me?? I was all set to throw this into the too hard basket but Marg said don't give up. Let's see what can happen!
Oops almost forgot. Denise mentioned that we should have some Education Department bloke rock up to our July 4th meeting at the High School. He's something to do with kids under 15 who are at risk of leaving school early. Which is highly likely for the big fella considering how they've been treating him!! What kid would want to stay at school when they know that the school cannot handle them and palm them off as soon as they get the chance! Anyway Marg said that I should inform the school that this Ed. Dept. person may be coming to the meeting and see what they say! I forgot to mention this to the school perhaps I had better do that today!!

Thursday .. I went to see my GP yesterday so that I could get some more medication for my skin and some anti-inflammatory meds for my arm. I don't know if I mentioned that he diagnosed carpal tunnel. Anyway he gave me some samples a few weeks ago and they have worked wonders and he said to come back and get a script if they were helpful ... so I did.
Not a lot really happened yesterday. At least not compared to the previous days.