Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 24 "The good, the bad, and the sad"Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
24 total reviews
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Oh Goodness, Wendy, this sounded like Armageddon at one point. What an horrific time to be going through this critical point in Jonathan's care, as though it couldn't get much worse! It almost seems like a Pyrrhic victory for you as you won the battle but seemed to be losing the war. I'm learning so much from your story about medical procedures and the fact that, although fitted with this PEG tube he was still able to ingest food normally, albeit with a natural hunger first for the instinct to kick in. I keep thinking, all the time, how invaluable this information will be for readers of your book, not just for fostering or adoption but also for any carer of the disabled. If only you'd known what lay ahead, I wonder if it would have made a difference? This experience requires a very special kind of person, totally dedicated (which you've proven yourself to be). It leaves me actually quite traumatised just reading about it!
To be trivial here: para starting "Schools had been considering whether to send students home early or (to keep them safer at school.")
This, as ever, is an exceptional write, Wendy. Well done! Debbie.
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
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Oh Goodness, Wendy, this sounded like Armageddon at one point. What an horrific time to be going through this critical point in Jonathan's care, as though it couldn't get much worse! It almost seems like a Pyrrhic victory for you as you won the battle but seemed to be losing the war. I'm learning so much from your story about medical procedures and the fact that, although fitted with this PEG tube he was still able to ingest food normally, albeit with a natural hunger first for the instinct to kick in. I keep thinking, all the time, how invaluable this information will be for readers of your book, not just for fostering or adoption but also for any carer of the disabled. If only you'd known what lay ahead, I wonder if it would have made a difference? This experience requires a very special kind of person, totally dedicated (which you've proven yourself to be). It leaves me actually quite traumatised just reading about it!
To be trivial here: para starting "Schools had been considering whether to send students home early or (to keep them safer at school.")
This, as ever, is an exceptional write, Wendy. Well done! Debbie.
Comment Written 24-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much for this wonderful review, and for the pickup which I have now fixed. I am so glad you are continuing to read his story, and there were some "normal" and happy times in between all the dramas. Thank you too for the wonderful six stars. A great encouragement! (I have wondered whether anyone will persevere through such a depressing book - that's life!) Nevertheless, I still believe his story needs to be told. Soon, it will be more positive!
Wendy
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Before reading your posts about Jonothan, I always prepare myself Wendy, as I know I will be annoyed about his treatment.
I was pleased to read you won your case, but reviewing it every six months sounds very annoying! They are hoping you will get fed up and let it lapse! As for saying that a legal guardian is the same as a responsible person is a load of old hog wash!
I am hoping that once he has reached his target weight, he can enjoy eating a few things as our sense of taste is a source of pleasure in life and Jonothan has few pleasures. The facility is uncaring and they prefer to tick boxes to care for individuals Wendy. It is a pity the press were not present at that tribunal.
A fine chapter Wendy.
Love Dolly x
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
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Before reading your posts about Jonothan, I always prepare myself Wendy, as I know I will be annoyed about his treatment.
I was pleased to read you won your case, but reviewing it every six months sounds very annoying! They are hoping you will get fed up and let it lapse! As for saying that a legal guardian is the same as a responsible person is a load of old hog wash!
I am hoping that once he has reached his target weight, he can enjoy eating a few things as our sense of taste is a source of pleasure in life and Jonothan has few pleasures. The facility is uncaring and they prefer to tick boxes to care for individuals Wendy. It is a pity the press were not present at that tribunal.
A fine chapter Wendy.
Love Dolly x
Comment Written 24-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much for persevering, Dolly. I appreciate it greatly as some reviewers have dropped away, perhaps because it is hard reading. Sometimes life is hard, and we do want a happy ending. Thank you so much for the six stars. Much appreciation.
Wendy
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You are most welcome Wendy, I have enjoyed reading about Jonathon. If it is any consolation, there have been fewer reviewers generally lately, love Dolly x
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
"such people as Jonathan" sounds so cold - like he's a thing and not a person.
The scene from the bush fires is right out of a movie. And Jonathan, again, must suffer.
I thought you were told that tube feeding DID eliminate the possibility of aspiration! Everything seems to be a lie or misrepresentation.
It seems that despite changes, nothing ever really changes in this story. Even when you are legally in charge of decisions.
Sad is right, Wendy!
xo
Pam
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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
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"such people as Jonathan" sounds so cold - like he's a thing and not a person.
The scene from the bush fires is right out of a movie. And Jonathan, again, must suffer.
I thought you were told that tube feeding DID eliminate the possibility of aspiration! Everything seems to be a lie or misrepresentation.
It seems that despite changes, nothing ever really changes in this story. Even when you are legally in charge of decisions.
Sad is right, Wendy!
xo
Pam
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 24-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much Pam, for continuing to follow, and for this super review. Yes, so many misrepresentations, unfortunately.
Wendy
Comment from Glena Jessee-King
This is a fine, well-written biographical article titled: The Good, the Bad, and the Sad. The title itself rhymes with the last two-pointed words. She writes in some ways like a lawyer but very interesting. She does jump around a little in occurrences but stresses information in her writing would help the reader should they ever have similar circumstances. And, I think it relates in several ways to others facing this. Her being from Australia includes terms of Official offices, perhaps of government, that I am not familiar with. I enjoy reading about other cultures and admire caregivers who love and fight for the benefits of the disabled.
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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
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This is a fine, well-written biographical article titled: The Good, the Bad, and the Sad. The title itself rhymes with the last two-pointed words. She writes in some ways like a lawyer but very interesting. She does jump around a little in occurrences but stresses information in her writing would help the reader should they ever have similar circumstances. And, I think it relates in several ways to others facing this. Her being from Australia includes terms of Official offices, perhaps of government, that I am not familiar with. I enjoy reading about other cultures and admire caregivers who love and fight for the benefits of the disabled.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 24-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much for reviewing, Glena. I am gradually assembling these stories into a complete book, starting from when we began fostering. So this is actually what will be chapter 24. That explains why some threads are being tied up, and why there are some unfamiliar legal procedures which have been explained previously. I would be delighted if you would continue to read, and give your insights about the next few chapters (there will be about five more). Thank you again.
Wendy
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You are most welcome. I really enjoyed your story and hope to continue reading as I, too, would be delighted. Your title covers the theme of the story. It reminds me of a poem that I wrote several years back, titled The Good and the Bad in the Old and the New. But your story is so true of the plots, that you wrote so well, today.
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By the way, a dear friend and who played the organ for the church and our group from time to time, whose children grew up with ours (Members of our pastorate) and her son lives in Australia.
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Lovely that you will continue reading. Whereabouts in Australia are your friends?
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I'll have to ask my friend, the mother, as soon as I can or look at the pictures of her son's property. She visited him and his family and enjoyed being there for several days.
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I called our friend Easter evening and her son lives in Melbourne, however it is spelled. Her daughter-in-law works in business in the city, times in real estate. Her son designs trains of some sort and, with help from his co-workers. She said his work and theirs was in a newspaper that went across Australia not too long back. He has chickens and animals in his yard I also say in some photos. So, he's never forgotten country life. Thanks for asking and sharing. Glena
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Thank you for sharing. Melbourne is about 1200 kilometres from me. My brother, who lives about 2200 km from Melbourne, was an engineer also involved in train design until his retirement.
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Wow! Sounds great, dear friend. Woody's may be in toys; I am unsure. Forgive my ignorance, but I love to learn. What is 1200 km in miles? Is a mile over 1.6+KM? Thank you.
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About 750 miles.
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Thanks so much for the response of 750 miles. So, 1 km is almost 2/3 mi, or am I wrong? Thanks kindly. I'd love to visit Australia. Sounds lovely, my friend.