Well, this isn't good news, that's for sure. DA (dear aunt) is not progressing with the stroke rehab -- the personality changes and behaviors are just brutal (more so for me than for Mr Incredible). Without intention or malice or forethought -- she's managed to hit all my buttons (that I've worked very hard over the last 20 years to hide, camaflouge or destroy) repeatedly in the last 2 or 3 weeks.
The 3 of us living together just isn't going to work out. Frankly, I don't have what it takes to make it work. The d*mn stroke is just too much.
So, instead of taking her to WDW in March
-- we're hoping to make the trip in November/December with her. We're still taking DN (dear niece) in March to celebrate her 21st birthday AND for a respite for Mr Incredible and I. Currently, looks like DA will be staying at a respite hotel (basically a room at one of the local assisted living facitlies). Also, depending on timing, she'll either be living in assisted living or staying at another respite hotel in April when we return to WDW for another visit (my 42nd birthday).
I feel like a real failure -- and goodness knows I hate failing at ANYTHING. But, the stroke is simply too much.
I now think that Mr Incredible and I were right to choose to not have children. I have nothing but the utmost respect and awe for all of you out there who have children with special needs. I worked at a children's hospital (cp, spinal injuries, brain injuries, and such) for a while and I've always thought that I could / would have handled it fine if that was what life had in store for me. Now, I think I was wrong; I would have sucked wind at being that kind of parent.
Pixie dust to you all,
EG
The 3 of us living together just isn't going to work out. Frankly, I don't have what it takes to make it work. The d*mn stroke is just too much.
So, instead of taking her to WDW in March
-- we're hoping to make the trip in November/December with her. We're still taking DN (dear niece) in March to celebrate her 21st birthday AND for a respite for Mr Incredible and I. Currently, looks like DA will be staying at a respite hotel (basically a room at one of the local assisted living facitlies). Also, depending on timing, she'll either be living in assisted living or staying at another respite hotel in April when we return to WDW for another visit (my 42nd birthday).I feel like a real failure -- and goodness knows I hate failing at ANYTHING. But, the stroke is simply too much.
I now think that Mr Incredible and I were right to choose to not have children. I have nothing but the utmost respect and awe for all of you out there who have children with special needs. I worked at a children's hospital (cp, spinal injuries, brain injuries, and such) for a while and I've always thought that I could / would have handled it fine if that was what life had in store for me. Now, I think I was wrong; I would have sucked wind at being that kind of parent.
Pixie dust to you all,
EG
