On My High Horse.

I'm getting pretty fed up with people who, with the kindest of motives, are often to be heard saying 'how you must suffer/worry/wish it had never happened to you' etc., ad infinitum. Ad nauseum actually.

It's not that I'm rejecting the kindness/blindness of strangers but I really am up to here with the pessimism of the 'normals'. By which I mean that band, that happy band who either don't come across disabled people that much in the course of their daily lives (what sheltered lives they lead!) or if they do, immediately adopt that pitying attitude that assumes we sit about quietly martyred and suffering and waiting for social services to take up the slack.

I don't do martyrdom. Fearfully ageing, don't you know. I do having a laugh. I don't think anyone with neurotypical children must be living the life of Riley. No one is. I'm fortunate to have a close family and some good mates who are happy to rock up and be with Jordan when I need to go out. Strictly on the understanding (imposed by the boy) that they don't actually talk that much to him or cramp his style. I pay them too. Above the odds because I value their help. None of that minimum wage malarkey here thank you very much.

My disabled son is a delight. There I said it! He has exceeded every single one of my expectations. I'm really looking forward to the next decade with him.

And so, into 2010 my friends. Having a laugh, cracking jokes, getting annoyed occasionally. JUST LIKE THE NORMALS! Gosh, who'd have thought it..?

Out of the mouths...

One of the many joys of living with a person on the autistic spectrum is the refreshingly frank way they say exactly what they think.

JORDAN: Egg, I'm not going to have sex with the cat.

ME: Well, that's good. Having sex with cats is against the law.


JORDAN: Yes, and the cat would burst.

Silence as we contemplate this image.

JORDAN: Egg, can you make a sound like a cat bursting?

Fancy that...

Jordan is very much wedded to routine, which comes as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with autism, I'm sure. Though interestingly, he has allowed some alterations over the last few days which have surprised me.

We got to the dentists without too much fuss AND tried out the Gourmet Burger Kitchen in East Dulwich too - a first for us. Click the link for a voucher! This also went well as Jordan enjoyed his burger and admired the VW Van-style graphic art on the walls. Hats off to GBK for this. Most restaurant chain art is dull beyond belief.

Today, he has a day off school but actually consented to come with me to get passport pics done at the local chemists, Kristal Pharmacy (is there anything they don't sell? We found pasta in there today). Not only that but we went to the butcher's, the baker's but alas there is no candlestick maker down Nunhead Lane or we'd have gone there too, trust me. May not sound much but this break from routine is a huge step forward for the boy.

Back to school

Yes, it's the end of the holidays. I often feel I am the only mother who really enjoys having the kids at home! What's not to love? We get up earlier than term time, wander round sipping coffee and chatting. I can write, the boy can chill. Most relaxing and indeed conducive to literary inspiration. The house is now MUCH too quiet...

It's the holidays...

Yes, indeed. I do love the hols. Ironically we all get up much earlier than we would do in term time. I asked Jordan what he had planned and he replied 'I'm going to watch videos and then relax' Talk about multi-tasking. Working from home, this frenzied activity is not at all stressful to manage and quite often, I find myself next to Jordan as I write. At the minute he is watching his new obsession Mr Bean and developing a very fine impersonation of his catchphrases, if I say so myself.

In other news, the search for chromosomal definition continues. It turns out that there is extra material on chromosome 9 but we are no nearer any kind of definitive diagnosis for its significance for Jordan. Oh well.

Happy holidays all.

He's back!

Yes, the boy has returned. He had a great time. He reported that girls in bikinis were not much in evidence. Possibly because the clubbers are up all night and asleep all day. He talks a lot about having a girlfriend but as I said to his neurotypical sister, he may have to leave the house once in a while to find one...

Still waiting on results of blood tests for possible genetic conditions. In one sense, it doesn't make a whole heap of difference. Nothing alters in Jordan's educational provision or his daily life. I suppose it's one more piece of the jigsaw.

It's too quiet

Yes, the boy has departed for sunnier climes. See post below. It's far too quiet in the house.

Jordan was ecstatic to be going. I think it's weird that he's going but think it's a good thing. It will challenge him to be more independent. I'm not even convinced that he thinks about us that much when he's away; his autism means he lives very much in the moment and deals with the here and now.

The person who is really suffering is his father who hates it when his son is away.