One Week

One week.  So much can change.  I do not want to make this post about sadness, but about hope, and about a family that loves their child so much that they would do anything for him.

Early this Spring, Levi's behaviors began to escalate.  Because of his diagnosis, he is prone to making poor, even dangerous, decisions due to his lack of impulse control.  He is unable to predict the consequences of his actions or to plan what he would do in an emergency and he is vulnerable to victimization. At age 14, his challenges are not new but the consequences that can occur are much more serious than when he was 5 or 6. Despite his caring, compassionate nature and eagerness to please, his behaviors began to put him, and possibly others, in danger.

When we realized that our home, the community, and Levi's school were no longer a safe environment for Levi, we worked with our disability services provider to make a plan for him to move to a group home.  We agonized, denied and justified for months before acknowledging this was the best option for Levi. We explored all options and we accessed every service available to try to keep him at home, having multiple providers in our home each week. A family does not and cannot come to such a decision without serious turmoil.

Now, though, we have hope.  We declined the first placement that was offered for Levi because the home was not a good fit for his needs.  Three weeks later we learned of another placement option and everything we heard sounded perfect for Levi.  Levi was prepared for the move and he was included  in the planning, but it still came up very quickly and they were ready for him to come within a week.  Last Thursday, Levi moved to what will be his home for now in Washington County. 

It is hard to put my feelings into words as we adjust to a new normal at home, but it is not my feelings that are important, it is Levi.  He has been offered an opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that is safe for him.  He will attend school in a large district with the resources to meet his needs.  Levi has become active in the community and he has daily opportunities to learn important life skills.  He has new friends with common interests. He is already thriving.

Levi is our son today as much as he was last Thursday.  We will have home visits, family vacations, phone calls and date nights to keep him close.  We will cheer for his victories and will support him in his new interests.  This is not the end of our story as a family, it is just the beginning.