Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 25 "Getting better ...."Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
25 total reviews
Comment from royowen
It's so good to hear that eventually he was doing well, that most of the 'care team' had moved on and that the new collective seemed more caring than their predecessors, not a job I would relish personally, well done, blessings Wendy, good job, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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It's so good to hear that eventually he was doing well, that most of the 'care team' had moved on and that the new collective seemed more caring than their predecessors, not a job I would relish personally, well done, blessings Wendy, good job, blessings Roy
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much Roy for this positive review, and for your ongoing interest. We all needed this chapter of respite. Always appreciated.
Wendy
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Well done
Comment from jmdg1954
Wendy, another excellent chapter filled with emotions.
For once, at chapters end, I felt a relief and actually was able to smile.
I am genuinely happy for this young man, Jonathon!
He still maintains his pleasure in the 45 minute car ride, twice daily, 5 times per week and your family is much closer!
I was also ecstatic that he was able to change homes and be in the hands of an actual caring staff of professionals!
But, unfortunately, there is still a small part inside of me waiting for the hammer to drop. I pray it doesn't.
I am looking forward to the next chapter. Go Jonathon!
John
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Wendy, another excellent chapter filled with emotions.
For once, at chapters end, I felt a relief and actually was able to smile.
I am genuinely happy for this young man, Jonathon!
He still maintains his pleasure in the 45 minute car ride, twice daily, 5 times per week and your family is much closer!
I was also ecstatic that he was able to change homes and be in the hands of an actual caring staff of professionals!
But, unfortunately, there is still a small part inside of me waiting for the hammer to drop. I pray it doesn't.
I am looking forward to the next chapter. Go Jonathon!
John
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much John! What a lovely review, and I think we all (readers included, as well as me) welcomed and appreciated a relatively stable and peaceful part of his life, as in this chapter with no major dramas or disasters. I appreciate your ongoing interest and care.
Wendy
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
All the fuss that was made about Jonothan's Guardianship and then they all lost interest in him, except you of course Wendy. I am glad that Jonothan eventually settled down, and it is a pity that he lost the used of his jaw and could no longer taste food, his only pleasure. It sounds like he felt some happiness being among friends though, another fine chapter Wendy, love Dolly x x x
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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All the fuss that was made about Jonothan's Guardianship and then they all lost interest in him, except you of course Wendy. I am glad that Jonothan eventually settled down, and it is a pity that he lost the used of his jaw and could no longer taste food, his only pleasure. It sounds like he felt some happiness being among friends though, another fine chapter Wendy, love Dolly x x x
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Yes, you are right, Dolly, in each one of your comments. Many thanks for your continued interest and support, as well as for your thoughtful review. This chapter (and this chapter of his life) was a welcome relief.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
It appears things are looking up for Jonathan. I do hope it continues. I know that would take a lot of pressure of you. I'm still in disbelief all all you had to endure.
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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It appears things are looking up for Jonathan. I do hope it continues. I know that would take a lot of pressure of you. I'm still in disbelief all all you had to endure.
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much Barbara. I think we all needed a lighter chapter after all the dramas of the last few chapters. I appreciate yur review.
Wendy
Comment from Jim Wile
This was a very gratifying read, Wendy. It seems as though, in life, the bad ones tend to get weeded out over time if you can be patient enough to wait for that. Perhaps it's not as soon as we like, but it often happens eventually as enough people begin to realize how bad they really are and refuse to put up with them any longer.
You and your family are to be commended for outlasting that awful team and prevailing in the end. And it was wonderful that the replacement was so different from her predecessor, which is always a risk. It's sad what happened to Luke, but I guess not surprising. At least he was able to leave there with his integrity intact.
Sounds like a good decision was taken to move Jonathan closer to you, and let's hope that this crew is much better than the previous group of stinkers. I'm happy Jonathan is fitting right in. - Jim
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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This was a very gratifying read, Wendy. It seems as though, in life, the bad ones tend to get weeded out over time if you can be patient enough to wait for that. Perhaps it's not as soon as we like, but it often happens eventually as enough people begin to realize how bad they really are and refuse to put up with them any longer.
You and your family are to be commended for outlasting that awful team and prevailing in the end. And it was wonderful that the replacement was so different from her predecessor, which is always a risk. It's sad what happened to Luke, but I guess not surprising. At least he was able to leave there with his integrity intact.
Sounds like a good decision was taken to move Jonathan closer to you, and let's hope that this crew is much better than the previous group of stinkers. I'm happy Jonathan is fitting right in. - Jim
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much for this thoughtful and insightful review, and also for the six stars, such a lovely affirmation. Yes, I was sad about Luke, but yes, he always did the right thing and was a very caring and compassionate person. I think all the readers needed this positive chapter (and so did I!), as a respite from all the dramas which had been happening over so many years. Many thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from Tom Horonzy
and not long ago I thought this saga was coming to an end, and now it seems there is lots more to tell. I wait with bated breath ... I think, even though I'm not sure what that means.
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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and not long ago I thought this saga was coming to an end, and now it seems there is lots more to tell. I wait with bated breath ... I think, even though I'm not sure what that means.
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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We are approaching the end (within just a few more chapters) so I hope you'll stay interested and keep following. Many thanks for your kind support and review.
Wendy
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Bated breath - what does that mean?
Sounded like a good think to say, and I';; stay the course, of course. Tom
Comment from patcelaw
This seems like it has been a very long journey for you. I was not aware of it being as many years as you expressed here in this particular story I am sorry you had to go through some of the difficulties you did, but I am glad that Jonathan at this point is doing better. Patricia.
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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This seems like it has been a very long journey for you. I was not aware of it being as many years as you expressed here in this particular story I am sorry you had to go through some of the difficulties you did, but I am glad that Jonathan at this point is doing better. Patricia.
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much Patricia. And yes, you are right - it was a long journey. We needed this time of respite and relief, and I am sure the readers did as well. Thank you again.
Wendy
Comment from Rachelle Allen
I can feel myself taking a relaxing breath - but only tentatively. There've been too many lows that follow the highs for me to trust it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, of course, but I remain dubious.
What a difference good leadership makes, though!! And Luke was a G-dsend, wasn't he? Of course they would punish him. Grrr.
Anyway, another very solid chapter that moves the story along nicely and keeps it interesting.
One teeny grammatical suggestion, if I may. In this sentence:
later found out that another client had died a short while previously from the same issue; his
Maybe "earlier" instead of "short while previously?" because it took me three times through before I understood that 'while' was not intended as a conjunction there. I'm thinking it's idiomatic, right? But using "earlier" would eliminate that potential confusion for others.
xoxox
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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I can feel myself taking a relaxing breath - but only tentatively. There've been too many lows that follow the highs for me to trust it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, of course, but I remain dubious.
What a difference good leadership makes, though!! And Luke was a G-dsend, wasn't he? Of course they would punish him. Grrr.
Anyway, another very solid chapter that moves the story along nicely and keeps it interesting.
One teeny grammatical suggestion, if I may. In this sentence:
later found out that another client had died a short while previously from the same issue; his
Maybe "earlier" instead of "short while previously?" because it took me three times through before I understood that 'while' was not intended as a conjunction there. I'm thinking it's idiomatic, right? But using "earlier" would eliminate that potential confusion for others.
xoxox
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you for pointing that out. While I hadn't thought of it like that, I now understand how it could be read, so I have changed it to "... a short time earlier ...", and as you say that elininates potential confusion.
I am glad you are still following with interest this very emotional journey - and yes, it was definitely good to have a chapter where there were no major problems. Some relief and respite were very necessary. Thank you so much for your thouhtful review, and ongoing encouragement. Both are very valuable to me.
Wendy
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Of course! I know you'd lovingly do the same for me. xoxoxo
Comment from GWHARGIS
I've never been so glad as to read that the former leader of the department was gone, but I think I muttered 'hell yes!' when you mentioned his assistant left too. She was quite the minion. Poor guy. MERSA is a big deal. I love how they wrote it off as redness in his belly. Sounds like a tiny rash. No big deal. Great chapter. Gretchen
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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I've never been so glad as to read that the former leader of the department was gone, but I think I muttered 'hell yes!' when you mentioned his assistant left too. She was quite the minion. Poor guy. MERSA is a big deal. I love how they wrote it off as redness in his belly. Sounds like a tiny rash. No big deal. Great chapter. Gretchen
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Yes, with your pharmaceutical background, you understand perfectly. Yes, they described it as "a little redness around the stoma site ..." True, but not the full truth! Thank you so very much for your ongoing interests and care, as well as for your very supportive revies. These are all greatly appreciated.
Wendy
Comment from Jesse James Doty
Yay! You said it when you said people always matter more than things. I agree and am happy for you and Johnathon that he is in a new group home where the staff and nurses care more and it is closer to your home.
These daily essays into what it is like to care from afar are wonderfully accurate to what I have experienced in the rehabs I have stayed in temporarily in the past. Finding an excellent care home is very difficult and sometimes impossible.
I wish both of you the best!
Jesse
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Yay! You said it when you said people always matter more than things. I agree and am happy for you and Johnathon that he is in a new group home where the staff and nurses care more and it is closer to your home.
These daily essays into what it is like to care from afar are wonderfully accurate to what I have experienced in the rehabs I have stayed in temporarily in the past. Finding an excellent care home is very difficult and sometimes impossible.
I wish both of you the best!
Jesse
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you very muchJesse, for your understanding, as well as for your kind review. I appreciate your ongoing interest and concern for him.
Wendy
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Truth be told your stories resonate with me.
Jesse