Do all bad things come in threes?

On the weekend, the car developed an ominous rattle.

Hubby didn't think it sounded too good, and booked the car in for a service some time next week. Then he mentioned the rattle to the mechanic (a high school friend of his, and a guy we trust). He didn't like the sound of it either. Could we swing by today, anytime, so he could have a listen?

So I went. And then walked home.

When you see three mechanics with worried faces hovering with a stethoscope over the bonnet of your car, you know you're in for trouble. Sure enough, Ollie had to stay at the car doctor's (our number plate is OLI, hence the car's nickname).

Seems we have a problem with the transmission, and unless we want another catastrophic event like I had last year, where suddenly the car stopped totally (while I was on a busy road, catastrophic indeed!) it needs to be looked at straight away.

So Hubby and I are pondering what to do next. Fix the car? This will be a few thousand dollars. Or buy a new car that can be converted to be wheelchair accessible? This is a decision that is hanging over us anyway, although we were hoping to put it off a little longer (and off course, we were hoping to be able to trade Ollie in, and not we're not sure if good old Ollie is worth much any more). Still, are the Car Gods are sending us a sign here?

We've been looking around, gathering information on People Movers that can be converted. I think we've settled on the Toyota Tarago, a choice partially inspired by the fact that it can be converted so the wheelchair user (Boo Boo) sits in the middle between the boys, rather than on her own in the back, and from feedback from our mechanic friend.

We spend yesterday evening trailing the Internet, finding out prices for old and new Taragos. Checking if there are any second hand wheelchair converted ones for sale out there.

And in the middle of one session, the power went. Hubby spent the rest of the evening trying to find out what happened, fix what he could, and make sure we at least have power for the fridge, microwave, coffee machine and cook top, so we can deal with the basics. He couldn't fix it all, and since we've had problems with this circuit before, it's time to ring the sparkie and split the circuit (after he fixed the current fault, probably another hungry bush rat chewing through a cable).

We went to bed wondering what the third thing will be...

It's Good to Have Friends

An amazing event occurred over this Easter Weekend in our house.

We had a friend visiting with her two daughters. They've just returned from a two year stint in Moscow, and we were chuffed to be catching up. The two girls, let's call them Ida and Dana, are 6 and 3, so a bit younger than our two boys (who are 7 and 5), and both very social and chatty despite the fact that they had not seen us in years, and had never been to our house before. Wonderful, to see such confident children. But, I digress.

As always, Possum spend most of the time playing with Ida - Dana, the youngest, started off amusing herself with the pile of stuff in the toy room. But then, after we had a dip in the pool, a miracle happened.

Beaver and Ida had been playing in the pool together. Their swimming abilities set them apart from the two younger children, and so they were drawn to each other. They ended up sharing a hot shower together (very sweet) and then played some mad game which involved Beaver lying on the floor on his tummy, and Ida sitting on top of him. This produced lots of merriment, and there were times both were in stitches laughing. Possum was quite a bit put out - he's not used to his brother stealing his playmate on him!

At some point, we decided to calm the children down a bit. We pulled out some books, put on a Pooh Bear movie, and things gradually settled down. Possum started playing with little Dana, Ida read a book to Boo Boo, and then decided to snuggle up to Beaver and watch some TV.

It was absolutely wonderful for us to see Beaver play with another child. It was largely an imaginary game, the only ones he really plays. In fact, he still has such difficulties playing with toys or games, that the school special educator has floated the idea of play therapy.

Still, here he was, playing. Making friends.

That evening , he went to bed very satisfied - and very curious to find out from us if he could possibly marry Ida. He worked out she was a girl, so that's OK (we've had to have the "you're not allowed to marry a boy in Australia at the moment" conversation with the boys), but wanted to know if she was in any way related to us?)

His mum and dad went to bed equally satisfied. There is hope for friendships yet.

Possum and "Dana"

"Ida" and Boo Boo sharing a book

And Beaver enjoying having his newly cut hair checked for nits by his new friend.

Happy Easter

Boo Boo's first Easter Egg Hunt was fun

Oh, what's that there in the tree?

Beaver's got some too

And Possum spots another one

Hope Crosses the Political Divide

No post from me today.

But I would like to direct you to "Equal not Special", reporting on a small but potentially hopefull step towards improving disability services in Australia. It's important news, and I can't put it better than that. And while you're there, check out the site. Good eh?

On 17 March 2008 at around 8:30pm the Australian Federal Parliament secured bipartisan support from members of the two major political parties (Australian Labor Party and Australian Liberal Party) to support a motion by the Member for Gilmore, Mrs Joanna Gash, to improve the services, support and care for Australians with disabilities and their families/carers. <more>

Here's to a better future...

Systems Overload

I haven’t posted anything for a while. It’s not that there is nothing to write about. On the contrary, my heard is bursting with words. It’s not that I have no time, in fact I’ve read all the blogs I follow, including all the posted comments (and enjoyed it, thank you all).

You know that feeling when there is just so much you want to say that nothing comes out? I have so much to write about, but my brain is so hyperactive that I can’t sit down and get started. I’ve tried every day since the last post, and it’s just not happening.

Today, I forced myself to try – if I don’t’ write something now, I’ll go bananas.

The main thing on my mind at the moment is wheelchairs and money.

We’re hearing it from all sides – Boo Boo needs a wheelchair. Her mobility is vital for her cognitive development. So the OT said she’ll look into it (that was on the day Boo Boo got the little bike). But I haven’t heard a thing from her. Of course I trawled the internet for a few evenings and found some very nice looking chairs, one in particular that I like very much. I sent the link and a print out copy to the OT. Still haven’t heard from her. Apparently she’s looking into something else – but she hasn’t communicated to me about it. I’m getting a bit peeved here.

And so, my mind is full of thoughts about the wheelchair.

I want one. And I want it this year.

I want to know which one. I want to know how much it costs exactly. I want to get an application in, ideally before the end of the financial year. I need to know if this thing is coming or not, and when, and I need to know how much it’s going to cost.

You see, an electric wheelchair is expensive – and the really nice one I have my mind set on cost about $25,000. Yes, you read that right. Twenty five thousand dollars.

I'm pretty sure PADP will knock us back, at least initially. We might get it after appealing. But then, how long will it take? PADP is notoriously slow, and the whole point of the chair is to get Boo Boo mobile right now, not in two years time.

When we applied for Beaver’s manual wheelchair, PADP were impossible, and in the end we decided to buy the thing ourselves. All the grandparents chipped in and we had a wheelchair in 4 weeks time. Mind you, it only cost $3,000. There are conversion kits to turn manual wheelchairs into electric ones, but they’re nearly as expensive as a new one. Still, I like the idea of converting Beaver’s old chair – but I can’t find more info, and am waiting for the OT to resurface.

And second hand? Well, that would be nice. But there aren’t that many second hand electric wheelchairs for two year old children around.

Problem is, I don’t have a spare $20,000 lying around.. I'm not sure I can add the wheelchair to our mortgage - renovations to make the house accessible have not yet finished, and with the interest rates being as they are, well, you all know. Then, off course, I'm pretty sure the thing won't fit in our car (Honda Odyssey) so what's the point of getting a set of wheels I can't take anywhere. Buy the wheelchair, buy another car and convert it .Where is this going to end? We’re looking at a possible $120,000 all up.

Our daughter is only 2, but cognitively completely on track with her peers. The therapists are keen to avoid her getting behind, so she needs to be mobile to explore and learn. I want to avoid a delay - Beaver is about 2 years behind, and while it's not the end of the world, it makes school hard. If it can be avoided for Boo Boo, I would be a bad parent for not wanting to avoid it.

How much is my child's cognitive development worth? To the government? To me?

I need a wheelchair for Boo Boo, and I need it soon. See how my mind goes round and round in circles?

I know a solution will be found. I know I just need to take a deep breath, and start working on this, one step at a time.

But in between the daily rigmarole of life, trying to sort out a snag with the Council over the promised car parking spot outside the school, getting a Second Skin or Thera Togs splinting system and new shoes for Boo Boo, starting potty training, getting Beaver back to attend Conductive Education (he hasn’t had any therapy for more than two years now) and get serious about doing his extra reading programme, well, my brain is full. And I won’t go into the two books I am planning to write, the TV series Hubby and I want to write, and the CP Resource Guide plan I have.

Systems Overload, error number whatever. Time to take a deep breath and re-boot…

Lesson from our son

Beaver's pediatrician has wanted us to try a cream with some vital minerals vitamins or whatever, I cant quite remember. The stuff is called Primer, and all I know is that it's a sticky bright yellow cream that doesn't come cheap. The doctor works with lots of kids on the autistic spectrum, and has seen many kids respond well to it. Although Beaver is not on the spectrum, our pediatrician believes there is a "starved brain" connection, and thinks Beaver might benefit from it, especially cognitively.

I have been very casual about the cream, it's just something I started doing "because Doctor Antony wanted us to try it out". You see, it's always so hard to explain cognitive issues without making Beaver feel he's stupid - he has enough anxieties about being "different" and "slower" than his class mates, and so I have not explained the purpose of the cream. Easier not to go there if we don't need to.

We're happy to give it a go, and Beaver loves his nightly rub - which always ends in a session of scratching is back. Judging from the rolling eyes, he thoroughly enjoys it. He has already asked me to get more cream when runs out...

Anyway.

This evening, I was doing the thing, when Beaver asked.

"Why does Doctor Antony want me to have this cream?"

"Well honey, he's always trying new things to make your CP better."

To which our very smart son replied:

"Why? What's wrong with my CP?"

Wild Hair

Unlike me at that age, Boo Boo loves the shower, and loves having her hair washed.