The Dignity of Risk

 
When our grandson, Theo was smaller we'd quickly suck in our breath when he walked along a wall and we anticipated he'd surely fall, or we were sure he'd lose his balance on steps, or the curb, or climbing on the furniture. But, Theo seldom fell, and we were amazed! We finally relaxed and trusted his inner balance. Theo is very good at building humungus towers with jenga blocks -- this one is as tall as he is! I see a parallel with a 17 year-old boy who lives with Down syndrome whose grandmother has been terrified of letting him go into any program where someone could possibly mistreat him. She'd rather do everything for him. In fact, he has become angrier and angrier at not being allowed to do things by himself, and his mother is afraid he might turn on the grandmother in a rage. This month he got a new job sponsored by the Lions Club in his area, and he is absolutely delighted! There's a strong dignity of risk, and I pray that the grandmother will be at peace with this new situation.

LAI LIFETIMES Spring Edition

 
"Journey With Jeff" has made it to the cover of LAI's glossy Spring issue of their news magazine, LAI LIFETIMES! Imbedded in the article originally written by Mark Hare is a professional photo of Bob and me, taken as a gift of LAI. It is an impressive issue! Jamie Branciforte, the CEO, wrote this editorial: "Our cover story features the release of Sybil Reisch's book Journey With Jeff. We at Lifetime are honored and humbled by Sybil's kind dedication:'This book is dedicated to the wise, wonderful and winning people at Lifetime Assistance, Inc., where Jeff spent his adult life. We cannot say enough good about them.' In Journey, Sybil Reisch shares a piece of her heart and soul, and that of her precious son, Jeff. With a powerful message of hope and courage for families, friends and caregivers, as well as children and adults with developmental disabilities, Journey reveals the inherent dignity of all persons. In Journey, we are given the chance to hold hands with Jeff, to feel his warmth and love during his 27 years with us. To be part of this exceptional and meaningful journey is a distinct and very special honor for our Lifetime family, for which we are deeply grateful. Our spirit is invigorated and we journey onward." What joy to receive a call from a receptionist in my doctor's office saying she had just received her copy of LIFETIMES and she has a son who is living with Down syndrome, too! Small world! We never knew we were both caregivers of a child with Downs. This afternoon our mailman met Bob at our mailbox and asked if we might have a copy of "Journey With Jeff" for sale, since his wife had worked at LAI and had received a copy of LIFETIMES. God is full of wonderful surprises! I love it!!

Carol's Tribute

 
We picked up the mail on the way home from Rob's carpal tunnel surgery on his right hand and elbow, and Carol's joyful note was inside. Good timing! This lady was organist in our church for many years, and she has been through many joys and much sadness, and now struggles with heart problems. In spite of all her challenges she writes encouraging notes, and has a ready smile for everyone. This note was as if we had received the beautiful gift of a single rose from her. Carol writes, "I was so impressed with your book about Jeff. I was so glad when my son brought it to me at the manor. I had just come home from the hospital again. Once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. I stayed up later than usual to finish it last night. I liked the format you used -- short episodes. It's a book anyone who has a child should read whether their child is disabled or not, to become more understanding, sympathetic and helpful to those who have had to deal with the added time it takes in their care, and on their own health. It was so many years before we even knew the Reisch family. All in our congregation should know your story and appreciate how you and Bob can still present a smiling face and positive attitude to our congregation here. I loved the picture on the cover of Jeff. He looks so handsome! The older we get we can look back and see how our Lord has helped us overcome and endure in joy and sadness, because we have learned through experience it's the only way. Praise the Lord." And, Thank you, Carol!

It's Friday, but Sunday's comin'!!

Easter comes about the earliest possible time it can come this year! During this coming week (Holy Week) we'll have a Maundy Thursday service, remembering how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and had the Last Supper with them, and a Good Friday service, reading his passion story and ending with him in the tomb. The most meaningful part of the Good Friday service for me is hearing the stone rolled across the opening of the tomb. When Jeff was here we used the roll of the tympany drum ~~ I had goosebumps!! Jeff cried. I cried to hear him cry. And, after going through this story of the depth of the love of Jesus, we'll wait through the Saturday vigil. Then, Easter morning's here ~~ when Allelujahs ring out! Yes, "It's Friday, but Sunday's comin'"!!!

 

Meeting Randy

 
We've been trying to meet, Randy's mother and I, since she read Mark Hare's column in the mid-February D&C. We live in the same neighborhood and we've taken our walks past each other's homes for three years, but Rob and I never knew that Randy was our neighbor until today. His mom brought him over after her workday and his school day were over. Randy brought his scrapbook with him, and we found page after page of his Special Olympics swimming, bowling, soccer, baseball, and track and field awards. He has a huge bulletin board in his room at home filled with ribbons and medals from ten years of events. Our Jeff enjoyed Special Olympics as well, and he's holding up one of his prize ribbons in the above photo. It was like visiting with Jeff again this afternoon, as we became acquainted with Randy. He made us laugh with his good vocabulary. They promised to let us know the June date for Special Olympics for track and field ~~ 'cause I want to be a "hugger" again!

Unexpected Bouquets For Journey With Jeff

 
A friend called me this morning with much excitement to say that she saw a connection between the way I had discovered I needed to give Jeff one instruction at a time for him to respond positively, and the way she needed to instruct a highly sensitive, easily agitated son. She had co-signed a college loan and it was time for him to renew it on his own. This single mother has been spending a great deal of money on her children and finding herself on the short end of the stick. "No more co-signing," I told her. "I spent years paying off a van when the person I co-signed with decided to go bankrupt." She says she feels less alone knowing someone else has gone through that. It was a nice surprise to know "Journey With Jeff: Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs," showed us we had these experiences in common. (These congratulatory flowers came from a long-time friend in Denver for our 50th Anniversary)

Family Support

 
This photo was taken at the celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. You can see what a handsome, happy family Rob and I have! Not every one of our family have "Journey With Jeff" in their library, but those who do write me wonderfully congratulatory letters about how much they enjoyed reading the book, and the warm memories it brought back to them. The grand daughter of one of our family is in prison, and we all try and keep in touch with her. She read about "Journey With Jeff" and asked for a copy for a friend there who has a child with Down syndrome. We are so proud of the way she is coping with her imprisonment ~~ improving her mind, body and spirit while she's there. And, to think that the encouragement and inspiration of "Journey With Jeff" is getting out there to prisons!! Allelujah!

In Touch with Kids that Have Taken Off!

 
Sunday nights Bob and I are usually invited to Ed (Jim's dad) and Lisa's home for a family meal, along with Jennifer and Jim, Theo and Roxy. Lisa's dad was the owner of an Italian restaurant, and he taught his daughter well! Also, Lisa is an educator, and in 1994-1995, she asked me to work with one of her students who has autism. This student was a genius, but he was socially immature. He wrote his assignments on the computor, part of his reward for good behavior. Tonight Lisa said he is working on his doctorate in computors at Buffalo State! Yes!!!!! I just love success stories such as his! I may be retired, but my memory loves to be jogged with stories about Our Kids! (The photo above is Lisa with Theo and Roxy on Christmas morning.)