Becoming a California Girl

February 15, 2006

Hi Rick,

Glad to hear that Jan is settling in well. California seems a world of it's

own, but from what I hear of Jan she will soon embrace the new lifestyle.

As far as what setting she is in, it's important that she be where she is

happy and involved. And that sounds like it is the place.

I think the main thing to remember is that it's all about what is best for

the child (even our adult children) and what's best for one may not be best

for the other, and also what is working for one now, may not work for that

same one in a year or two, or five or six.

You are actually lucky to have found a good program for Jan. The options

for adults with disabilities are limited in my area and there is such a long

waiting list even to get into a mediocre program.

I wish her luck on her hike. She certainly has been able to reach out to

many with her lukemia.

" Attitudes are Contageous. Is YOURS worth catching? "

February 15, 2006

BIG CHANGE in the past week and a half. Jan's been here since

September, but things finally kicked into gear about a month ago when

life skills help started. The young counsellor is learning as she works

on Jan, but a relationship is building.

While some may object to this setting, Jan has been a workshop for the

past week and a half. It gets her out of her room in the barn (well

really our nice accessory building), to stop doing word searches and

watching videos all day with an occasional exercise session on my

demand. She is with people like herself, although not all are as

capable .. but that is OK with her. She quickly learned the system and

gets moved between classes, work assignments, lunch and snack, and TV or

parties when there isn't some other activity.

You can have your opinions about whether you want to subject your child

to such an environment, but Jan came home the first day really happy and

she talks about her daily activities with me every day. Yes, she is

still exercising and she does go down and play hermit when she's home

unless someone pulls her out.

She is serious about the Team in Training program for the Leukemia

Society. She has been exercising and wants to attend all the weekend

training sessions. We had the first on Saturday with two months more of

them before the big hike at the end of April at the Grand Canyon.

I'm headed back east in a couple of days to bring my wife and

mother-in-law (94) west. Jan will be on her own, but I think she can

manage it. We stocked up on frozen entrees today and I'll run a

re-check tomorrow. There will be day activities, Saturday training

programs, and drop-by check-up, along with

some friends keeping an eye out.

So that's the report .. for tonight

look at:

http://www.active.com/donate/hfdsvmb/JanDill

She's been doing well so far getting support for her hike.

Rick

February 15, 2006

Rick

Sounds like Jan is making the transition okay. Sounds like the workshop is a

big help right now.

The Leukemia Society walk sounds like a lot of fun, and she sure sounds

motivated to doing this. We visited her site today.

Sharon H.

Mom to , (14, DS) and , (10)

South Carolina