This past summer was full of excitement for us.
Jeremy had been on the wait list for an Autism Screening. He definitely has signs that point to ADHD but there are a lot of social behaviors that seem to fit within the Autistic Spectrum.
We got the call early in August that they had actually made a spot for Jeremy to see a psychologist in the last two weeks of August. We were camping out past Hope, BC when our first appointment was scheduled and so on Wednesday August the 24th, Jon and Judah and I packed up and headed back into Vancouver to meet with the Doctor.
It was a 2 hour appointment where we talked about Jeremy and all the challenges that he faces. It was a pretty harsh meeting. Not from the Doctor, but from the standpoint that you are spending 2 hours talking about all the negative aspects of your child. Talking about the struggles and the ways that he is different….the ways that he is difficult….
And, the truth is…..This is a very tough road that we’ve been walking for the past 10 years of Jeremy’s life.
Honestly, I’m exhausted from dealing with it all.
We drove back to camp and felt so devastated. It was a tough meeting and in the meeting the Dr cautioned us that she didn’t really feel that Jeremy was Autistic, but that we would just have to wait until the next week when she met with Jeremy personally.
It was the LONGEST week that we’ve gone through in a while.
The Dr. met with Jeremy for an hour to assess him and then she met with us to discuss what she believed was the diagnosis.
She brought us in and assured us that Jeremy was AMAZING! He was SO CREATIVE and such a joy to have assessed and that he most definitely was not Autistic. He was too involved in our world and wanted too badly to be liked by people to be Autistic.
And then I fell apart…
See, I didn’t want him to be autistic, nor do I want him to have ADHD….but the truth is…
Jeremy’s brain functions differently than what is considered “Normal” and he is an extrememly difficult child to parent.
I love this little boy fiercely and I love his joy and his creativity. I love that he tries so hard to be a comedian and in spite of how often his jokes fall flat…that he just keeps trying. I love to see him drawing and creating. I love to see and hear about the things that his magnificent brain comes up with.
And I hate to see him struggle.
I believe that he is a very smart little boy and yet he struggles so badly with trying to get the information that is inside of him….out!
And, the bad things…..well, it’s tough.
And there is little to no help for a child who has ADHD.
The psychologist said that she believes that Jeremy has one of the most extreme cases of ADHD that she’s seen in her years of practice.
And then I cried……because what does that do…what does that help….how does that get us through these tough times?
She did recommend that we get an appointment with the ADHD Clinic at BC CHildren’s Hospital to have Jeremy’s meds properly adjusted.
She doesn’t feel that his meds are working the best way that they should to help him and that one of the Dr’s at the ADHD clinic would be able to help us better. Our family Dr. referred us to the ADHD Clinic “urgently” and Jon followed up with a phone call to the clinic. After some confusion and mix up, Jeremy has been scheduled to see one of the Dr’s at the ADHD Clinic this morning.
I feel equal parts of hopeless and hopeful.
I want to be able to get some help for Jeremy and yet 10 years is a long time to be fighting this battle alone. I know that we are not alone, but it feels like we’ve been fighting this alone.
I’m praying and hoping that’s today gives us a few more answers and some…..any…..help?!?
I’m sorry that I’m not explaining all of this very well, but in order to actually show how difficult this is…I’ve got to list out all of the areas that Jeremy struggles with and how difficult he is and because I live that EVERY DAY…it’s tough to “list it all out” for others to see. It’s tough to be confronted with a list that lays out all the negatives about your child. Even though that’s what we are going to do today…an it sucks.
So, if you think about us this morning….send up a prayer that we are able to get some help…help for Jer….help for us…just some help.
hey patti praying for you and that the dr would have the correct insight to all this. praying this dr is very gifted and can see what most dr miss. i know deep in you heart you want to be the best parent you can be for your children and dealing with all children at the same time. Praying that you and Jon are on the same page and see the same perspective in this situation. Jeremy is a very special boy and pray for him as well. Praying for God’s leading in all of this. love Debra
Hi Patti;
Just wanted to affirm again that we totally love Jeremy (as well as all the kids) and are certainly praying for him (and you and Jonathan) today. I know God has His hand on Jeremy for good, and all this is working together for his benefit. I am sure he has a brilliant future in front of him. He is one of the most creative kids I’ve ever known. His “engineering” of the Leggo cities is absolutely amazing. Special kids need special guidance and oversight, and you two certainly work overtime to provide that. We are so very proud of you all.
Dear Patti I just got to my e mail now so did not know to pray specifically, but we do pray all the time for you folks. Now we know a little more specifically how to pray. I think also that you and Jon are amazing parents. I think Jeremy is a great little guy,. I have put his letter to me from some time ago with my special cards. We know a little of what you are going thru because I am sure we had an ADHD little boy but did not know anything about it back then. Wewill believe the Lord to help you get the help you need.Hope this holiday will be a wonderful reprieve for you all. Much love and prayers. Grandma