Culturally Sensitive

Today I had the privilege to teach at a high school. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with special needs students and those from other cultures. I love learning new things and having the chance to discuss about not just my culture, but to listen to other young people's backgrounds and goals.

Lunchtime was the perfect hour to learn about a young person from Yemen. I also met a young lady whose background was Native American.

We had a lovely discussion about how the Native American student desires to work as an orthodontist and wants to specialize in working with special needs.

The young person from Yemen desires to go to college, but she struggles with traditions of Yemen. Her parents will allow her to go to college, but it may be difficult if she tries to have a career.  I would offer that it is not my position to go against cultures. I will never tell you that you are wrong for holding certain beliefs that is not my goal. I desire to try to understand.

I think it is somewhat easier for me because I was raised by nuns. I accepted that they wore the habit, and they firmly believe in Catholicism. I still struggle with my beliefs. I have only traveled to Canada to see family, so I am not well versed in other traditions and customs because I have not had the wonderful experience of traveling.

I am happy for the internet to provide a forum where I have been able to chat with those from different countries. I am able to discuss my thoughts and beliefs with those outside my culture. I often support individuals through change.org, but I am not able to support them monetarily; however, I do share their causes if I believe in them.

I try not to offend people and try to think before I share. I do hold certain political views that I have shared through my blog. I think for anyone to share their beliefs, but perhaps more so for women is a very brave thing to do.

My Family

 My Family

By Madeleine Graham

Thank you Lord for my family

We may have disabilities

But with your guidance

Lord I pray 

We will be okay

You’ve shone me the sun

But I’ve seen darkness too

Please keep my family

Close to you

It may rain

And it may pour

But I know with you 

We are safe Lord

And future generations

May have the illness too

But with prayer 

All will survive

None of us will have to hide

You’ll embrace us with your love 

And set the course where we will prevail

No more crying

We can exhale.

P.S.  I am extraordinarily grateful for those who have walked this path with me by showing kindness. 

American Sign Language needs to be taught to all in school

I am a proponent of teaching American Sign Language (ASL) to all students as a second language. I advocate ALS because there are students in regular classrooms who are not diagnosed until later years with some type of mental illness or disability. Many of these students don't like to be touched. Many special needs students learn the basics of ALS in school, but I am also an advocate for teaching the language in regular classrooms as many officers and future firefighters will have a skill which can be used to calm down these individuals, so things don't escalate. Additionally, those with mental illness or other special needs individuals can be peacefully guided through a situation.

When it Rains it Pours

 I am broken hearted at the moment not because of my son, Huck Finn, but now my daughter Anne, loosely portrayed from Anne of Green Gables. My daughter has two children, one of which is autistic. The other is only ten months old. I have no idea where my daughter is at, but she pulled my autistic grandson out of programming by going before his time to leave was done. I am concerned about her mental health and now my grandson as well. The baby is being cared for by his dad. I will be babysitting starting tomorrow.

update:

This situation is so close to the cuff that I can barely talk about it. Maybe it is better I don't. I had to put Anne in the hospital. She created a situation that was dangerous for herself and my autistic grandson. My son Huck is doing what he is supposed to do. I have petitioned her before, but she always managed to change her status to voluntary. I am pleased this hospital is not allowing that. I won't go into details, but I am glad my grandkids are safe, and she is now safe.

My Huck Finn is Adjusting

My Huck Finn is adjusting to living temporarily with me. He is an independent soul and has been going to work in construction every day. Tomorrow, he has an appointment with his psychiatrist to renew his medication. 

He is industrious and he has a good social network. As of right now, he knows how important the medication is to his wellbeing. He is sleeping in my spare bedroom. I don't want him to burn himself out, so I am trying to let him run his own show.

My daughter, Anne based loosely on Anne of Green Gables, is having what I would say is the opposite effect from her medication and appears to be manic. I may have to babysit my grandchildren, but I don't know.

As for me, I am working part-time and have the ability to put my work on the backburner. I am used to being a caretaker, as I have done it all my life. Sadly, there were many times, I did not take the medication, so I was hospitalized several times. There were times I did take medication and still wound up in the hospital, but not for long. So, the medication sometimes has to be adjusted.

I am working very hard to stay well for my children and grandchildren. I am keeping in contact with those who help me handling things. That doesn't mean it is not a rocky road.

Having the ability to reduce stress by not working is a wonderful benefit to my mental health as I am a senior citizen. I am working on my autobiography a little bit at a time so I hope it will inspire a movie. I am writing it as a book, but I plan to pitch it later as a movie. I intend to keep the characters anonymous in the book.

My Huck Finn Is Coming Home

My Huck Finn has not lived with me since he was eighteen years old. He works in construction and has a job lined up here in Michigan. I am praying he gets the insurance that he needs and that it is excellent enough to cover his medication. The scary thing is, I am not sure how much the medication is going to cost if we have to pay out of pocket initially.

We are going to make a trip to the behavioral center so he can get his meds renewed. I have a twin bed; however, my grandson, who has special needs, was jumping up and down on the bed and I couldn't get him to stop. When I sat down on the bed it went kerplunk, so Huck will have to sleep with mattresses on the floor until I get a frame.

For those of you who have an adult child or adult children, that have a mental illness, I am sure you can sympathize with me about the very real struggle to keep them on the straight and narrow especially boys. The journey my son is on also happens to be mine as well. We have to be a pillar of strength in order to stay healthy and continue to work. I have to be aware if he has difficulties while also watching myself for problems.

Two things have happened since I began this expose. First, we were able to get his medication. Second my Huck Finn was able to repair the frame. Lastly, he is working. We still need to learn if his insurance will be decent.

On another note, he is making progress in his move. He has to go to the Secretary of State to get a new license. He also has to do a change of address at the Post Office and finally he has to temporarily seek Medicaid.

All in all, it has been very productive.

MTA of Flint, MI Proposes New Routes

Flint MTA announces proposed changes to five primary routes | East Village Magazine

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