Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 5 "Resolutions and Solutions"Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
28 total reviews
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was clever of you, I wonder why no one else had thought of that. Probably because they weren't interested enough. Well done, you have now discovered more about Jonathan and he has obviously learned a lot about you. You will take no nonsence, to a point. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2024
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That was clever of you, I wonder why no one else had thought of that. Probably because they weren't interested enough. Well done, you have now discovered more about Jonathan and he has obviously learned a lot about you. You will take no nonsence, to a point. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 11-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2024
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I think it was pure desperation on my part! And maybe no one else was quite as cruel - or it was just easier to get him out of bed and let him watch tv as they did in the respite home. But we couln't function as a family lik that. Thank you again for the very encouraging review.
Wendy
Comment from BethShelby
It is amazing that you discovered something that worked and also discovered that he wasn't totally mentally impairee. I don't see how his birth mother coped so many years without going crazy. Nice solution and another good chapter to you story.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2024
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It is amazing that you discovered something that worked and also discovered that he wasn't totally mentally impairee. I don't see how his birth mother coped so many years without going crazy. Nice solution and another good chapter to you story.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2024
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Thank you Beth. You are very understanding, and I agree. It must have been so very hard for her, to try to manage without any support at all.
Wendy
Comment from Annmuma
You are a most courageous and ingenious caregiver! I am impressed by your never-give-up attitude and your genuine compassion for a fellow human being. Sometimes, we can love someone, but the true compassion is beyond our scope -- not you!!! Good writing. ann
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2024
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You are a most courageous and ingenious caregiver! I am impressed by your never-give-up attitude and your genuine compassion for a fellow human being. Sometimes, we can love someone, but the true compassion is beyond our scope -- not you!!! Good writing. ann
Comment Written 24-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2024
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Thank you very much Ann. I was desperate to find a solution, for all of us. Very supportive review, and I appreciate it.
Wendy
Comment from Sarah Tummey
Well done. I would never have thought of changing his sleeping position. I don't blame you for raising your voice and saying things you didn't mean. My mum did that as well sometimes when we were growing up. It's amazing that you dedicated so much of your time and energy to help Jonathan.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2024
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Well done. I would never have thought of changing his sleeping position. I don't blame you for raising your voice and saying things you didn't mean. My mum did that as well sometimes when we were growing up. It's amazing that you dedicated so much of your time and energy to help Jonathan.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2024
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Thank you for another lovely review, Sarah! It took me a while to think of this solution, but I'd tried just about everything else. I think all mums raise their voices at times - I know I did, with my own three.
Thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from jmdg1954
Wendy,
Getting up twice a night to care for him, without any wild behaviour from him - that was easy.
I could do that. No problem.
But getting to this point was extremely difficult and do taxing on you the most.
Did you receive any help from your husband? Any help from outside agencies? The mother?
Maybe you'll answer these going forward.
I'll wait.
John
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2024
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Wendy,
Getting up twice a night to care for him, without any wild behaviour from him - that was easy.
I could do that. No problem.
But getting to this point was extremely difficult and do taxing on you the most.
Did you receive any help from your husband? Any help from outside agencies? The mother?
Maybe you'll answer these going forward.
I'll wait.
John
Comment Written 23-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2024
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No help from the agencies, a weekend a month respite from his mother, my husband was working long hours, and he sleeps like a log so never heard anything once he fell asleep.
Thank you so much for your very understanding and thoughtful review.
Wendy
Comment from royowen
You've made enormous development in Jonathon, he is able to reach out and touch his food, and he's got a tremendous sense of humour, how rewarding is your compassionate, caring efforts are reaping rewards, well done Wendy,
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2024
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You've made enormous development in Jonathon, he is able to reach out and touch his food, and he's got a tremendous sense of humour, how rewarding is your compassionate, caring efforts are reaping rewards, well done Wendy,
Comment Written 22-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2024
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Thank you for reviewing Roy. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Wendy
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Most welcome
Comment from Pearl Edwards
You have done a wonderful job over the years in not only your endless love and compasssion for all your family but for your insight in deciphering what was the best way to work with Jonathon. How lucky he was to have found you.
valda
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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You have done a wonderful job over the years in not only your endless love and compasssion for all your family but for your insight in deciphering what was the best way to work with Jonathon. How lucky he was to have found you.
valda
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much Valda. I am thankful for the beautiful six stars, as well as for your greatly encouraging words.
Wendy
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Wendy,
This six is not only for the story you've told, but the way you've told it. I can't imagine being able to do what you did. The fact that you lost it is so understandable, what I can't understand is how you kept it together for so long. I fear that I would have given up long before you and sent him back. I'm so glad that you persevered gal, you gave that young man a gift that is indescribable. I see in your story confirmation that God never gives us more than we can handle, but will provide a way to deal with whatever happens. Well done gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Hello Wendy,
This six is not only for the story you've told, but the way you've told it. I can't imagine being able to do what you did. The fact that you lost it is so understandable, what I can't understand is how you kept it together for so long. I fear that I would have given up long before you and sent him back. I'm so glad that you persevered gal, you gave that young man a gift that is indescribable. I see in your story confirmation that God never gives us more than we can handle, but will provide a way to deal with whatever happens. Well done gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you very much, Tom, for your most encouraging review. I failed many times, but looking back I see the truth of God's calling, and enabling through some horrendous times (more to come). Thank you for the gift of the six valued and precious stars. Most appreciated.
Wendy
Comment from Spitfire
You did an excellent job here of writing about how you 'lost it' one night. Your frustration comes through as well as your patience at teaching him to sleep through the night. This ordeal is most interesting to read. Thanks for posting.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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You did an excellent job here of writing about how you 'lost it' one night. Your frustration comes through as well as your patience at teaching him to sleep through the night. This ordeal is most interesting to read. Thanks for posting.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you very much Shari. I appreciate your thoughtful review, and I'm grateful for, and honoured by, the six stars.
Wendy
Comment from Jim Wile
What a marvelous story about this episode in your life, Wendy. I think there are very few who would have had the patience and tolerance you showed to this unfortunate boy, and I'll bet you have nothing but good feelings about it as you look back on it. You put up with a lot, but putting up with the lack of sleep and the annoyance for a whole year before there was much progress is admirable. It's certainly understandable how you eventually cracked, but it made you realize that he understood your meaning and served as the impetus for you to keep trying.
This was a very well-written story about this time of your life, and you made us feel for poor Jonathan and his disabilities. He certainly found the perfect foster mother for himself! - Jim
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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What a marvelous story about this episode in your life, Wendy. I think there are very few who would have had the patience and tolerance you showed to this unfortunate boy, and I'll bet you have nothing but good feelings about it as you look back on it. You put up with a lot, but putting up with the lack of sleep and the annoyance for a whole year before there was much progress is admirable. It's certainly understandable how you eventually cracked, but it made you realize that he understood your meaning and served as the impetus for you to keep trying.
This was a very well-written story about this time of your life, and you made us feel for poor Jonathan and his disabilities. He certainly found the perfect foster mother for himself! - Jim
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Looking back, I know it was God's calling to look after him, (and knew it even then), but it wasn't an easy road, and my failings were many and frequent. But as the rest of the story unfolds (with plenty of different dramas) I see God's hand at work. Thank you for a most encouraging review, capped with the honour of six stars. I am honoured, and I value them greatly.
Wendy