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Post by teacherabc on Jul 22, 2014 17:49:26 GMT -5
Some more good news. It is possible to actually have a good ACCESS-VR counselor. HP had such a bad one for so long that he essentially dropped out of the program and when he got a letter saying they would close the case, I got him to agree to go back, which coincided with the news that the original worker was promoted and his case would be transferred. We had the first appointment today. The man spent nearly two hours with us, asking a lot of questions and really listening. He had some really good advice and gave him a task to do (to begin working on the incompletes and send him an email on Sunday night saying what he has done.). He is now in my living room, working. Obviously, I don't know how this will turn out but it is a difference of night and day between someone who listens and who only talks with a great deal of negativity. Right after, HP announced, "He is so much cooler than..." Since HP's reaction and willingness to listen go hand-in-hand, I am hopeful.
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Post by healthy11 on Jul 22, 2014 19:00:10 GMT -5
We're glad to hear that it was a good meeting, and we're hoping, as you are, that it will bring positive outcomes for HP.
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Post by dihicks6 on Jul 23, 2014 8:02:12 GMT -5
Of course the lousy one was promoted....hope it's an administrative job..... glad to hear he is assigned to a counselor that knows his stuff!
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Post by teacherabc on Jul 24, 2014 20:10:56 GMT -5
I thought about that. I looked at the degrees on this guy's wall and listened as he took so much time to try and get to know HP and considered that, not once did the old counselor make any effort to get to know him. He asked HP, "What stands in your way?"and listened to him speak about his family and was incredibly patient. He actually got HP to reveal more about himself than I ever remember hearing about in one meeting. I also listened to HP say that he thought his new (male) therapist is better than the old (female) one and think maybe that despite HP's insistence he deals better with females, that maybe, in reality, he is better off talking to males.
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Post by healthy11 on Aug 2, 2014 16:11:11 GMT -5
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Post by teacherabc on Aug 12, 2014 10:14:09 GMT -5
He doesn't want to become a game tester; we actually discussed that recently. He is now reevaluating everything, taking his leave from school. We submitted his application to Fountain House yesterday (it is actually a complicated application; he had to get forms filled out by both his therapist and his psychiatrist and he had to complete one as well). He will hear back next Tuesday or Wednesday, fingers crossed. Truthfully, if this doesn't work out then I don't know what we will do. And I don't care if they start him out with working at the place itself or in an outside job. The money would be nice but I just want them to give him some type of responsibility. They have a lovely greenhouse and he said he was interested in that--which might suit him--it's on his feet and working with his hands.
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Post by teacherabc on Oct 24, 2015 6:31:20 GMT -5
Update: HP got a job through Americorps. He started about 10 days ago. He is managing some workers at a site where they are building houses (Habitat for Humanity). I haven't heard from him much but apparently his schedule is Tuesday through Saturday and he made a big point of texting me this morning before I got up saying he goes to sleep before we do (I texted him at about 11 last night). He got his first check yesterday! So far, so good.
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Post by healthy11 on Oct 25, 2015 13:47:04 GMT -5
Was this the Americorps job relatively close to you? In any case, it's wonderful to hear the good news!
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Post by teacherabc on Oct 25, 2015 22:33:03 GMT -5
It is in Delaware, about 2 1/2 hours away. It is a lot closer than where our daughter is, which is St. Louis, but decidedly less convenient to transportation.
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Post by teacherabc on Nov 14, 2015 12:18:49 GMT -5
Everything is great. He will not admit it, but he is sounding happier. He is also sounding much more like an adult. He gets to use tools and has gotten some of his own for the job and speaks professionally about them and how he uses them. My husband just ordered him a multitool from Amazon. He seems to be bonding with his roommates. We didn't speak for a while and he called me and said he was coming home for Thanksgiving and wants to bake a cake for his family that he goes to after he goes with us (father's size). He texted me and said that he has never said it in the past because he could never say the words, but he said that he loves me and appreciates everything that we have done for him.
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Post by dw on Nov 14, 2015 20:45:04 GMT -5
awwww! How sweet! Finally! You have certainly invested the most selfless love possible into HP over many years.
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Post by healthy11 on Nov 15, 2015 13:50:53 GMT -5
It almost brought a tear to my eye, reading your latest post. May the good feelings you just received continue through Thanksgiving Day and beyond!
Is your daughter going to be able to come home for Thanksgiving, or will she wait until winter break?
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Post by teacherabc on Nov 15, 2015 21:28:04 GMT -5
Unfortunately, only HP will be with us and I suspect he won't be with us for dinner on Thanksgiving because we are going to friends instead of family this year and they don't have dinner until later in the day (he usually goes with us and then goes to his cousin's house). Where my daughter is is too far and she doesn't have much time off. She will be back for a couple of weeks over Christmas.
Without them around, I am taking advantage of not being obligated to do certain things and am able to spend more time doing things that are good for me, like going to the gym.
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Post by kewpie on Nov 16, 2015 21:09:12 GMT -5
I am so glad to hear things are going better for him and you are getting to do the things you need to do!!
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