Our summer

September 3, 2007

Yeap, Val....the past 16 years have flown by too quickly. I love your

response. I use to tell those who stared " isn't he cute, thank God he

doesn't look like his father " ....lol!

I'll post later this weekend on our family update. Right now i have reports

to work on for work. The birthday party is over and is happy in the

Mattcave with Snoop as his prisoner, watching new videos.

Re: Our summer

> Val Surbey here. I've been on the list since its inception and wanted to

> inject something else into the topic other than some of the flaming that

> is going on.

>

> My son Tim, is 19 years old. , doesn't time fly? Here in Winnipeg

> we have an event called Folklorama. This year, we visited the Italian,

> Croatian and Ukrainian pavilions. The last one was with Tim's social

> group, Among Friends. Anyway, we were walking around the market at the

> Ukrainian pavilion looking at the items they have for sale, and I noticed

> that several older people stared intently at Tim. This hadn't really

> happened at the other two places, and I was a bit unnerved by it, as we

> are out in the community frequently and haven't had stares for some time.

> So, trying to think up something clever rather than walk away (which was

> difficult as the crowd was huge) I finally said to the little

> ladies.... " Isn't he handsome? " Well, they were as surprised as I was that

> I'd said it and I felt much better as we walked along. Then, when we

> encountered another " starer " I said " Tim, you are just so good looking

> that everyone has to stop and look at you. " He thought it was pretty

> funny.

>

> Val in Winnipeg

>

September 3, 2007

Hi ,

Well you have seen me post for years and know is a classic wanderer.

I think you also know that I did CPS and remain in the child welfare field.

I've taught my coworkers alot during the past 13 years when it comes to kids

with disabilities, but they have also taught me, too.

There is an article I wrote in disability solutions titled Code

(safety plan for school). HE started his wandering at age 2..yeap, age 2.

It peaked in the elementary years. We do have an alarm system in our house.

has been " caught " going in and out several times during the night.

I have three sliding doors and a deck on the upper level. Underneath, I

have a french door and a regular door under the deck. My yard is fenced and

is 5 feet tall. He pretty much keeps himself contained now and his trips

out the french door, up the stairs on the deck and into the kitchen sliding

door usually involves a reverse trip but with food and drink in hand! He

set the alarm last week and I never heard it. The alarm company called Tim

on his cell and advised him and advised him the police were dispatched. He

kept calling me and calling me until I woke up. He had the alarm people

cancel the police b/c has been having parties at night.

is going through a stage of telling stories. He has a big scrape on

his forehead. This had to have happened when I slept. I can't figure out

how it happened and when I ask him, he tells me to go away and leave him

alone. So...his service coordinator was here when I was at work and asked

him what happened. He told her I did it. He's set his father up to get " in

big big trouble " , too in the past.

Anyway, there are nights I have a hard time sleeping. Last night, I did'nt

want to get in a power struggle with when it was 12:30 and he was

still awake, so I laid in his bed. It wasn't too long before he came in and

laid down, too. It was probably the best night sleep, knowing he was there

with me, that I have had in a long time. I have to clarify he has 2

bedrooms - one up and one down. It was the downstairs one (the mattcave)

and he prefers that room. When he sleeps upstairs, I can usually hear him

when he gets up.

Our summer

>

> Hello,

>

> I have been on this list since was 6 months old. He turned 13 in

> April. I've spent most of the last 10 yrs or so, just lurking. But this

> summer is worth writing about. If you get to the end of this and having

> any suggestions for me, I'd be very appreciative.

>

> The first day of summer vacation. took 23 tablets of 200 mg of

> amiodarone. (one of my husbands heart medications) He has NEVER tried to

> take any kind of meds on his own, and I know he knew it was medicine.

> Long story short, EMS came, took him to one hospital that started the

> charcoal, then they air-fiighted him to Tx Childrens for 3 days in PCU.

> 3days of the charcoal every 4 hours. Thankfully, I found him just as he

> had taken them and we got him to the hospital so fast, that he had no

> permanent damage rom the drug. All of our medications on now in a lock

> box.

>

> His behavior this summer has been a roller coaster. Great days and

> horrable days. Puberty has been interesting to say the least.

>

> Last Tuesday, he and I went to Mesquite TX to see my sister. He has been

> to her house quite a few times, but we know no one else in this huge

> subdivision. He slept right next to me on the floor. When I woke up at

> 8am and he wasn't next to me. I searched the house for a few minutes but

> couldn't find him. The back door was still locked but the front door

> wasn't. We went out and called him and went up and down the street.

> Called 911. Finally after about 45 minutes, one of the neighbors we had

> stopped to ask if she had seen him, found him! 6 blocks straight down the

> street from my sisters at an elementary school campus. If he had turned

> left one block he would have been on the freeway. When I asked him what

> he was doing and where he was going, he said he was going to the movies!

> He knew he had upset me, but he had no clue why what he did was so

> dangerous. He wasn't scared when he was found.

>

> has never done anything like this before, EVER! He used to wander

> when he was little. But he has never left a strange place and just took

> off.

>

> Then to top all this off,,,,I was investigated by CPS because of his

> hospital stay. The ladies that came out to talk to me were very nice and

> they've closed their investigation. But if he would have taken off from

> here and I had to called the sheriff for help finding him, would CPS been

> knocking on my door again.

>

> Any advice, suggestions or words of encouragment will be greatly

> appreciated.

>

> My stress level is higher than it has ever been. I worry about what our

> future is going to bring.

>

> Robicheaux, mom to Kayla 21, 18 and 13 ds, Mawmaw to

> 15 months

>

August 18, 2009

Hi ,

I am a single mom to two boys (11 and 13) and to my baby girl, who will be

8 this Sunday and she has Ds.

Having done avid research on puberty, since I am the only one who talks to my

kids about basically anything, I have learned quite a lot about boys and

puberty...both of my boys are currently in puberty...together...I say a prayer

each night they make it through...together :0)

Being a woman, I have no idea what it is like to be in puberty, and being

" middle-aged " as my 13 y/o told me the other day (see the reason for the

prayer??) I don't even remember what it was like to go thru puberty myself.

Anyway, from what I have read, hormones are nuts and boys get a feeling of...for

lack of better words...as if they are invincible. Now, I can't say whether your

son understands what that feeling is, but from what I read, all boys going

through puberty have these types of feelings. You may want to look this up

yourself.

I've had a lot of problems with this summer...as far as behavior goes.

She has become quite defiant, and I don't mean the stereo-type Down syndrome

stubborn....I mean the I'm not doing what you said type of defiance. It really

threw me for a loop since both of my boys are very well-behaved and has

always been hard-headed, but never just outright defiant. I've kind of come to

realize that has a very structured existence, even though I've always felt

like she was pretty free. She is telling me that she needs some space and that

if I want to live in the same house as she does, I need to let up a little on

the things that aren't critical. Your son leaving the house is critical, and

like you, I would be scared to death. I don't have answers for you, only to let

you know that you are not alone.

However, I do have experience with CPS. I live in Houston, and have dealt with

CPS on two different occasions. One was when my ex-husband's ex-wife called and

told CPS I had drugs in my house and that I let wander the neighborhood

streets...people are insane and cruel...I would never call CPS on anyone for

mere malice, as living in Texas you know that CPS has the power to take your

child away right in front of you. They came, my children were at home with the

nanny, the CPS investigator called me (I freaked out) and told me she was doing

a well check, was going to look around my house and interview each of my kids,

and take a picture of each of them. I thought I was going to go nuts, but as it

turns out, they were very nice and the case closed about as fast as it opened.

The other time, I took to Texas Children's because I found her behavior to

be strange...she had been wetting the bed, acting out, etc. By taking her and

asking them to do an exam for abuse, the social worker on staff contacted CPS.

She told me she would be doing this and I was okay with it. Well, when the

investigator came to my house, he had a sheriff deputy with him. At first, I

didn't think too much of it, and then I realized that perhaps they were going to

remove from my home. While I was talking to the investigator, I just

started crying and flat out asked him if they were there to take ...I had

initiated the investigation, but it had never occurred to me that she could be

removed from my care. He was honest and told me that when there is any claim or

suspicion of sexual abuse, they bring an officer with them should they decide to

remove the child, it was standard procedure. All I could ask after that was if

he

was going to take my baby, and he said no...there was no evidence that she was

in any danger in my home.

I can completely relate to your fears in dealing with CPS. After that visit,

which occurred 24 hours after was at Tx. Children's, I had to take her to

an intake center where she was interviewed along with my boys. CPS also went to

their schools. I found that as long as you are open, honest and take them

seriously, meaning take your child to whatever appointments they set (as far as

intake, interviews, etc.), then they are pretty good. Nothing will ever take

away the anxiety of knowing that someone has the authority to remove your baby

from your home.

I hope this helps...and if you need a good laugh, I'm always good for that. I'm

sure you will receive lots of advice from others, they've never failed me!!

Take care, and remember I am in the Houston area if you are close!

Moyers

Kay Independent Beauty Consultant

832-816-7992

www.marykay.com/jendmoyers

________________________________

From: Robicheaux <Robicheaux@...>

Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 11:12:45 PM

Subject: Our summer

Hello,

I have been on this list since was 6 months old. He turned 13 in April.

I've spent most of the last 10 yrs or so, just lurking. But this summer is worth

writing about. If you get to the end of this and having any suggestions for me,

I'd be very appreciative.

The first day of summer vacation. took 23 tablets of 200 mg of amiodarone.

(one of my husbands heart medications) He has NEVER tried to take any kind of

meds on his own, and I know he knew it was medicine. Long story short, EMS came,

took him to one hospital that started the charcoal, then they air-fiighted him

to Tx Childrens for 3 days in PCU. 3days of the charcoal every 4 hours.

Thankfully, I found him just as he had taken them and we got him to the hospital

so fast, that he had no permanent damage rom the drug. All of our medications on

now in a lock box.

His behavior this summer has been a roller coaster. Great days and horrable

days. Puberty has been interesting to say the least.

Last Tuesday, he and I went to Mesquite TX to see my sister. He has been to her

house quite a few times, but we know no one else in this huge subdivision. He

slept right next to me on the floor. When I woke up at 8am and he wasn't next to

me. I searched the house for a few minutes but couldn't find him. The back door

was still locked but the front door wasn't. We went out and called him and went

up and down the street. Called 911. Finally after about 45 minutes, one of the

neighbors we had stopped to ask if she had seen him, found him! 6 blocks

straight down the street from my sisters at an elementary school campus. If he

had turned left one block he would have been on the freeway. When I asked him

what he was doing and where he was going, he said he was going to the movies! He

knew he had upset me, but he had no clue why what he did was so dangerous. He

wasn't scared when he was found.

has never done anything like this before, EVER! He used to wander when he

was little. But he has never left a strange place and just took off.

Then to top all this off,,,,I was investigated by CPS because of his hospital

stay. The ladies that came out to talk to me were very nice and they've closed

their investigation. But if he would have taken off from here and I had to

called the sheriff for help finding him, would CPS been knocking on my door

again.

Any advice, suggestions or words of encouragment will be greatly appreciated.

My stress level is higher than it has ever been. I worry about what our future

is going to bring.

Robicheaux, mom to Kayla 21, 18 and 13 ds, Mawmaw to 15

months

August 18, 2009

,

Sounds like a service dog might help you. We are applying for one through

Canine Companions for Independence in California. It doesn't cost you anything

but the two week stay to get trained with the dog. The dog could certainly

serve as a watchdog as they can be trained for this type of flight risk. The

dog also act as a social bridge to help him make new friends. You might call

them and talked to them. It would be much cheaper than having to get some

security system in your house and these dogs can go everywhere he goes. Their

website is www.cci.org I don't know what your stance is on animals but it might

be worth a try. Here is another place to try, if you like

http://www.northstardogs.com/index.html Hope this could be of help to you.

Rebekah Fish

Senior Consultant

Colorado

www.pamperedchef.biz/rebekahfish

www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurafish

August 18, 2009

I seem to remember talking about an article that spoke to

the fact that our kids are known for wandering. Perhaps taking a copy

of the article to your local police station and letting themknow that

you have this problem would help to protect you if the issue should

arise again. i am sure that could speak to this issue!

Loree

Our summer

Â

Hello,

I have been on this list since was 6 months old. He turned 13 in

April. I've spent most of the last 10 yrs or so, just lurking. But

this summer is worth writing about. If you get to the end of this and

having any suggestions for me, I'd be very appreciative.

The first day of summer vacation. took 23 tablets of 200 mg of

amiodarone. (one of my husbands heart medications) He has NEVER tried

to take any kind of meds on his own, and I know he knew it was

medicine. Long story short, EMS came, took him to one hospital that

started the charcoal, then they air-fiighted him to Tx Childrens for 3

days in PCU. 3days of the charcoal every 4 hours. Thankfully, I found

him just as he had taken them and we got him to the hospital so fast,

that he had no permanent damage rom the

drug. All of our medications

on now in a lock box.

His behavior this summer has been a roller coaster. Great days and

horrable days. Puberty has been interesting to say the least.

Last Tuesday, he and I went to Mesquite TX to see my sister. He has

been to her house quite a few times, but we know no one else in this

huge subdivision. He slept right next to me on the floor. When I woke

up at 8am and he wasn't next to me. I searched the house for a few

minutes but couldn't find him. The back door was still locked but the

front door wasn't. We went out and called him and went up and down the

street. Called 911. Finally after about 45 minutes, one of the

neighbors we had stopped to ask if she had seen him, found him! 6

blocks straight down the street from my sisters at an elementary school

campus. If he had turned left one block he would have been on the

freeway. When I asked him what he was doing and where he was going, he

said he was going to the movies! He knew he had upset me, but he had

no clue why what he did was so dangerous. He wasn't scared when he was

found.

has never done anything like this before, EVER! He used to

wander when he was little. But he has never left a strange place and

just took off.

Then to top all this off,,,,I was investigated by CPS becaus

e of his

hospital stay. The ladies that came out to talk to me were very nice

and they've closed their investigation. But if he would have taken off

from here and I had to called the sheriff for help finding him, would

CPS been knocking on my door again.

Any advice, suggestions or words of encouragment will be greatly

appreciated.

My stress level is higher than it has ever been. I worry about what

our future is going to bring.

Robicheaux, mom to Kayla 21, 18 and 13 ds, Mawmaw to

15 months

August 18, 2009

Val Surbey here. I've been on the list since its inception and wanted to inject

something else into the topic other than some of the flaming that is going on.

My son Tim, is 19 years old. , doesn't time fly? Here in Winnipeg we have

an event called Folklorama. This year, we visited the Italian, Croatian and

Ukrainian pavilions. The last one was with Tim's social group, Among Friends.

Anyway, we were walking around the market at the Ukrainian pavilion looking at

the items they have for sale, and I noticed that several older people stared

intently at Tim. This hadn't really happened at the other two places, and I was

a bit unnerved by it, as we are out in the community frequently and haven't had

stares for some time. So, trying to think up something clever rather than walk

away (which was difficult as the crowd was huge) I finally said to the little

ladies.... " Isn't he handsome? " Well, they were as surprised as I was that I'd

said it and I felt much better as we walked along. Then, when we encountered

another " starer " I said " Tim, you are just so good looking that everyone has to

stop and look at you. " He thought it was pretty funny.

Val in Winnipeg

August 18, 2009

WOW. Great idea! Honestly, I have been looking at these options for the

future. Amazing that it never crossed my mind, because I remember reading on

one site that the age of the child for one type of dog was older than Alden is

right now. I cannot remember exactly if it was 10 or 13 but that may have been

for a service dog. I am leaning toward a service dog in the future, if I can

get one for Alden. Look into both types of programs. Service and/or Companion.

Where is my BRAIN? Kiersten

From: Rebekah Fish <fourgivenfish@...>

Subject: RE: Our summer

Robicheaux@...

Cc:

Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 8:14 AM