Nov 1

So, I'm actually going to try to post once a day every day for the whole month of November.  We'll see how I actually do.

My daughter has had 7 ear infections in the past year.  Yes 7.  The vast majority of them have been otitis externa, (at least that's what the docs think at this point) with perforation and discharge.  I am really wondering about this diagnosis.  Most of the time our regular pediatrician cannot see my daughter in clinic when she has an ear infection so we end up going to urgent care.  Some of those doctors cannot see her ear drum at all when they do the exam and can only see the discharge and treat based on that alone.  so, it's not clear whether she has a middle ear infection, because most of the doctors cannot see  into her tiny ear canals.  Now that we have had so many infection in the past year, we were referred to ENT.  They will not put tubes in because her diagnosed infections have always been listed as outer ear infection even though the doctor cannot see the ear drum.  I am quite frustrated by this because my daughter missed several days of school and does not feel well at all every time she gets an ear infection.  So, the ENT doc said we have to wait until she has yet another ear infection and come and be seen in the ENT clinic so they can clearly see what type of infection she has.

I know it is best to be sure, but I just hate seeing her go through so many painful infections without something being done.

voter registration

So, my daughter has turned 18 and so I wonder if I should register her to vote.  Does my daughter show an interest in voting?  I'm not sure.  She has seen me vote and asked a lot of questions about it.  She certainly sees the commercials on TV about it.

I do believe her voice should be heard.  However, how do I go about explaining her choices to her without inserting my own political beliefs?  I'm really not sure on that one.

I guess I should more diligently look at the opinions of each candidate with regard to only what would be important to her and help her make an informed decision.  We vote by mail here so the voting process would not be difficult for her.'

Some folks seems to think I am nuts for even considering registering her at all given her disability and that her level of comprehension on political issues is low.  I don't think that makes it any less important for her voice to be heard in the election.

And so I'm not sure what to do.............

Frustrating night

So, we are having a frustrating night here.  My daughter "H" is having a major meltdown.  I am not sure why.  She is currently throwing everything she can find on the floor (including her glasses), calling me every name in the book, and slamming doors.  She was doing just fine an hour ago.  And this is what I hate the most about her disabilities - the 'light switch" as I call it.  One minute she can be doing just fine and then the next she can have a total meltdown just like someone turned a light switch and everything changes.

Forgot to mention earlier that I am a single Mom.  It doesn't really make much of a difference to me.  I've been a single Mom her entire life pretty much.  The actual separation came when she was 1 year old.

If anyone is out there reading this and has any questions at all, feel free to ask.

1st time

So, this is my very first bog post ever.  I decided to write this blog because I want to share my experiences and I have found very few blogs about Down syndrome or other special needs once their kids become adults.  My daughter is 18-years-old now, she had Down syndrome and autism.  She will be graduating high school in May 2013.  There are so many decisions to be made about her future life right now and I honestly do not know if I am making the right ones for her or not.  I hope that I can shed some light on the future for people with disabilities and I really hope someone actually reads this and gets something out of it.  So, hello out there fellow parents and anyone else who is interested in this subject matter.