Sunday, August 31, 2008

In Praise of Awesome Community

We now return to our originally-scheduled programming, which involves the enumeration of blessings.

First off, thanks to everyone who's been reading and commenting and sending prayers and positive thoughts about our Rats'm Frats'm Blankety-Blank Seizures. We're pretty clearly back in seizure-land at this point, going at the rate of one knock-down per day with several disorienting single-jerks (plus the ongoing internal electrical storm that has been present for the past two years at least). Good news is, there was only the one big blue-lipper so far. The subsequent ones have been about 10 seconds in duration and have been much easier to shake off.

Then there's the awesome meat-space community (so to speak)!

We've got such a wonderful network through our church. The mom with whom we used to daycare-swap has coordinated for us a full roster of volunteers to accompany Joy one-on-one at Sunday School and nursery, plus give me a few minutes before and after worship for conversation. There are enough volunteers that nobody needs to step in more than once a month, and Joy is accepting enough of a wide range of helpers that this rotating whirl doesn't seem to faze her.

There's also a strong neighborhood network. On Friday I needed to go to Rose's end-of-summer-camp party, which conflicted with one of Joy's home therapy sessions, and there needs to be a parent or other adult in the house for the therapy to take place. One phone call next door, and the neighbor on the other side of the fence (who brought the potato salad to the fence party) was all lined up to come on over.

I was able this week to line up two other neighborhood moms with Rose-aged kids to take on the regular task of getting Rose home from school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, because that too conflicts with Joy's therapy hours.

On top of that, I've got a list of eight families (spanning neighborhood and church) willing to be called on short notice if we are in need of a bit of respite Joy-care, plus three other families who didn't think Joy-care was up their alley but would help by bringing a meal if need be.

And then there's the dear friend who brought her daughter over for a spur-of-the-moment playdate Friday night after the end-of-summer-camp party, and brought wine as well so she & I could each have a glass as the summer sun went down...

I could list more, but that gives you a flavor for it! Community makes Joy's world go 'round. We are so very blessed.

10 comments:

Niksmom said...

I am rejjoicing with and for you! I wish I had a community to call upon i times of need. I am trying to build that where we are now. It is so necessary. Hoping today is a seizure-free Sunday! xo

Niksmom said...

Um, I must REALLY be rejoicing based on the way I spelled it in the first comment! LOL

datri said...

How wonderful you have such support for your family! Makes life a bit easier. Prayers for Joy.

Anonymous said...

So glad you have such a great community of supporters in your church and neighborhood. You also have an online community who will support your family with our prayers!

mama edge said...

A community that does daycare, playdates and potato salad is wonderful. A community that serves wine: priceless.

Anonymous said...

Your good news makes me happy, too! Continued prayers from part of your online community support, Barbara

Casdok said...

Great to hear that you have a wonderful support network. :)

Anonymous said...

You two are so good at trying to take some time for yourselves. I think it's so important for parents of more challenging children to make a point of taking care of themselves. If you're burnt out, it doesn't help the little ones. Accepting help from family, friends neighbors, etc. not only is OK, it should be pursued! Most often there are so many people that are happy to pitch in wherever they can. They are just waiting to be asked! And it's not a burden for them, they enjoy it.
Bravo to Joy's parents. A couple of smart cookies. And a double bravo to their wonderful support system!
Lynda

Osh said...

your support network is what dreams are made of...I am so very very very happy and JOYful for you.
(prayers answered in a different way)

Anonymous said...

That's so wonderful! I need to work on building more community instead of just getting quietly overwhelmed.