Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 5 "Resolutions and Solutions"Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
28 total reviews
Comment from Ginda Simpson
Wendy, you have left me speechless. Only our Creator could have given you the gift of caring for this young boy with such love. Your level of patience and compassion, not to mention your wisdom, is astounding. God bless you, dear friend. Six stars for the writing, ten for the caregiving.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Wendy, you have left me speechless. Only our Creator could have given you the gift of caring for this young boy with such love. Your level of patience and compassion, not to mention your wisdom, is astounding. God bless you, dear friend. Six stars for the writing, ten for the caregiving.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Wow, Ginda, what a beautiful and encouraging review. Yes, I do believe He called me to this and enabled me to continue, despite my many and frequent failings. Thank you so much for the six stars as well. Valued and appreciated, very meaningful to me.
Wendy
Comment from GWHARGIS
All I have to say is you deserve a medal. To take a child in, is awesome. To take a child with special needs ... very commendable. But to teach a child to sleep, that is amazing. This story is compelling. I am thoroughly gobbling it up. Gretchen
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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All I have to say is you deserve a medal. To take a child in, is awesome. To take a child with special needs ... very commendable. But to teach a child to sleep, that is amazing. This story is compelling. I am thoroughly gobbling it up. Gretchen
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much Gretchen. It was a long and hard road, but it taught me a lot about myself, as well as about him. Hoping you will enjoy the rest of the on-going saga as well.
Wendy
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There is no doubt in my mind about enjoying this.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Wendy, the amount of time you spent learning how to help this young man, and physically helping him, is extraordinary. I can imagine few people who could or would invest the time. You are a true angel for what you've done for him.
You're doing a spectacular job of telling us the story of Jonathan and the challenges of taking care of him. Very interesting from start to finish.
Thanks for sharing.
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Wendy, the amount of time you spent learning how to help this young man, and physically helping him, is extraordinary. I can imagine few people who could or would invest the time. You are a true angel for what you've done for him.
You're doing a spectacular job of telling us the story of Jonathan and the challenges of taking care of him. Very interesting from start to finish.
Thanks for sharing.
xo
Pam
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you Pam. I appreciate very much your thoughtful words, and the very encouraging review. I hope you'll continue to read and enjoy the rest of his story with all that develops later.
Wendy
Comment from Paul McFarland
You showed a great deal of creativity in solving your problems, Wendy. You have done something that, I am sure, nobody else would have done. That boy was a lucky person.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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You showed a great deal of creativity in solving your problems, Wendy. You have done something that, I am sure, nobody else would have done. That boy was a lucky person.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you very much Paul. It was a situation where I just had to figure out what would work effectively. I appreciate your very kind and encouraging words.
Are you keeping well? I haven't seen any of your poetry lately.
Wendy
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Medical things going on with my wife and me.
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Ah, not good. I've been thinking of you, and hope things can and will improve, for both of you.
W
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this with us. I am glad you were able to solve the problem. Hey, I get up at least twice a night to use the bathroom. I can tell Jonathan thrived in your care.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you for sharing this with us. I am glad you were able to solve the problem. Hey, I get up at least twice a night to use the bathroom. I can tell Jonathan thrived in your care.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you very much Barbara. Yes, I learned then that one really doen't die from tiredness! So now when sleep is interrupted for multiple reasons, I just remember that I should be used to it. Lol.
Thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
This was my favorite of your Jonathan stories. You reveal you goal setting, your humanness, your patience, your persistence, but most of all, your love for him and your desire for him to take responsibility in helping to overcome his.obstacles.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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This was my favorite of your Jonathan stories. You reveal you goal setting, your humanness, your patience, your persistence, but most of all, your love for him and your desire for him to take responsibility in helping to overcome his.obstacles.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you so very much Verna. What a lovely review! Many thanks too for the beautiful stars, greatly appreciated and valued. I hope you'll continue to enjoy the stories as other dramas unfold.
Wendy
Comment from karenina
Another fascinating chapter in the real-life shortcomings of Social Workers and the real-life creative solutions of a loving mom who (despite a very human outburst)-- was determined to find the solutions to what up to that point had likely never been addressed therapeutically for this young lad.
I agree. Clearly, he had understanding and therefore was able to alter his behavior to soothe both himself and his new family!
This should be required reading for every social worker. These children are not a list of "problems" to be "scratched off the list" by withholding information.
Honestly, Wendy, this was a match made in heaven. I can't begin to conceive how many foster families would have given up and "returned" him for yet another Social Worker "turnaround."
Looking forward to your next chapter! (To think of the number of times I yelled at my children for the mess they made or their petty arguments!)
Karenina
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Another fascinating chapter in the real-life shortcomings of Social Workers and the real-life creative solutions of a loving mom who (despite a very human outburst)-- was determined to find the solutions to what up to that point had likely never been addressed therapeutically for this young lad.
I agree. Clearly, he had understanding and therefore was able to alter his behavior to soothe both himself and his new family!
This should be required reading for every social worker. These children are not a list of "problems" to be "scratched off the list" by withholding information.
Honestly, Wendy, this was a match made in heaven. I can't begin to conceive how many foster families would have given up and "returned" him for yet another Social Worker "turnaround."
Looking forward to your next chapter! (To think of the number of times I yelled at my children for the mess they made or their petty arguments!)
Karenina
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much for your wonderful review, and yes, I believe the social workers and government authorities had absolutely no idea about the realities of fostering a child with complex needs. Oh, don't worry, I yelled at my own kids, and perhaps should have mentioned in more detail my regular failings to be patient with ANYBODY! Lol. Still have the problem of being impatient and easily frustrated. Thank you for staying with this story. Believe me, there's a lot to unfold yet.
Wendy
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I'm committed to your every chapter!
Comment from Rachelle Allen
I have rapt fascination with this story!! I love the way you explain it "just the facts style" and never ever enter the waters of "Am I some kind of fabulous caregiver/figurer-out or WHAT?" Mind you, I'M sitting here thinking that about you, but not because you're tooting your own horn, but rather because of how perfectly you are describing these scenarios of your life!
I admire your dogged determination and marvel at how, even though Jonathan was given all kinds of severe challenges and disabilities, they were balanced out with having also been given YOU. There's no way that was mere serendipity; that was a gift from G-d...for BOTH of you. (well, ALL of you, because I'm including your children and husband in there, too.)
This is SUCH an immensely inspiring read. I'm finding myself getting all kinds of excited when I open my Messages screen and see "New Online Listing" and your name.
Absolutely great writing from beginning to end. Thank you for this treasure, Wendy. xoxo
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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I have rapt fascination with this story!! I love the way you explain it "just the facts style" and never ever enter the waters of "Am I some kind of fabulous caregiver/figurer-out or WHAT?" Mind you, I'M sitting here thinking that about you, but not because you're tooting your own horn, but rather because of how perfectly you are describing these scenarios of your life!
I admire your dogged determination and marvel at how, even though Jonathan was given all kinds of severe challenges and disabilities, they were balanced out with having also been given YOU. There's no way that was mere serendipity; that was a gift from G-d...for BOTH of you. (well, ALL of you, because I'm including your children and husband in there, too.)
This is SUCH an immensely inspiring read. I'm finding myself getting all kinds of excited when I open my Messages screen and see "New Online Listing" and your name.
Absolutely great writing from beginning to end. Thank you for this treasure, Wendy. xoxo
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Rachelle, I love your review! Many thanks for the six stars, each one precious and valued. Believe me, I am so very aware of all the many times I failed and failed Jonathan, and still fail, that I can never toot my horn. Yes, I do believe G-d helped me, and I believe I was called to this role, and it was the only way I could continue (probably also I didn't want to be seen as a failure - pride!). But there were so many things that unfolded later as well ... just as well I didn't know ahead of time. I hope you'll continue to enjoy as the rest unfolds.
Wendy
Comment from damommy
This just proves that the experts, too often, aren't expert at all. None of them had spent the time with him to see all these difficulties, and probably wouldn't have taken the time to develop solutions. Kudos to you, Wendy.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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This just proves that the experts, too often, aren't expert at all. None of them had spent the time with him to see all these difficulties, and probably wouldn't have taken the time to develop solutions. Kudos to you, Wendy.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you Yvonne. A very astute review, and you are absolutely spot-on re the experts. They really had no idea. I appreciate your time and thoughts about this lengthy chapter.
Wendy
Comment from Begin Again
Hello, my dear friend. I applaud you for your strength, caring and for your writing. Actually, your story shamed me. With life's struggles, I currently find myself losing patience with my son. My brain says he's 55 and by now should understand. I rant and then feel ashamed. I blame my reactions on being stressed, tired, and life. Yet, you faced the same and much more and were able to endure. I pray my faith will carry me and I too can find what's necessary to help, not hinder. You are a beautiful lady with a caring heart and have traveled a wonderous path through life with dignity and grace. God bless!
Hugs, Carol
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Hello, my dear friend. I applaud you for your strength, caring and for your writing. Actually, your story shamed me. With life's struggles, I currently find myself losing patience with my son. My brain says he's 55 and by now should understand. I rant and then feel ashamed. I blame my reactions on being stressed, tired, and life. Yet, you faced the same and much more and were able to endure. I pray my faith will carry me and I too can find what's necessary to help, not hinder. You are a beautiful lady with a caring heart and have traveled a wonderous path through life with dignity and grace. God bless!
Hugs, Carol
Comment Written 21-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Hi Carol, lovely to see you again. But your journey has been so much longer - I could not have continued for 55 years! I will pray for daily strength for you, and that you can continue. Of one thing I am sure - he knows that despite your failings you love him. My failings too were numerous - and still are. Yours are part of being human, and exhausted and stressed. You have had so many HUGE burdens with the way your family has treated you. I don't know how you have managed. Many thanks for the six stars, which are an enormous encouragement to me. I value them greatly. And I value you greatly too.
Hugs.
Wendy