Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 25 "Getting better ...."Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
25 total reviews
Comment from Pearl Edwards
I know how devestating golden staph can be, Jonathan did well to overcome this. It is amazing to think that team that were manipulative bullies got into the caring positions they held over those most vulnerable. I hope things really did pick up.
Happy Easter to you and yours Wendy.
Valda
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2024
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I know how devestating golden staph can be, Jonathan did well to overcome this. It is amazing to think that team that were manipulative bullies got into the caring positions they held over those most vulnerable. I hope things really did pick up.
Happy Easter to you and yours Wendy.
Valda
Comment Written 30-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much, Valda, for your caring review. May your Easter be blessed and happy too.
Wendy
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
This is an interesting article about Jonathan's care and how lucky he was to survive the MRSA, a really nasty infection. In the USA the official care of the helpless is organized differently, although it could probably be as difficult as you have had with Johathan. You might, at the beginning, have given a little history about how Jonathan began part of your life. I have been reading your story for a couple of years so I know what you are writing about, but someone encountering your story for the first time might be a bit confused. God bless Jonathan and all your family at this blessed Easter season.
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2024
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This is an interesting article about Jonathan's care and how lucky he was to survive the MRSA, a really nasty infection. In the USA the official care of the helpless is organized differently, although it could probably be as difficult as you have had with Johathan. You might, at the beginning, have given a little history about how Jonathan began part of your life. I have been reading your story for a couple of years so I know what you are writing about, but someone encountering your story for the first time might be a bit confused. God bless Jonathan and all your family at this blessed Easter season.
Comment Written 29-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2024
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Thanks so much Carol. I have been gradually assembling these stories into a book called Jonathan's Story, available in my portfolio, and I should have mentioned that at the bottom. The first two stories give all the background ("Sheryl's story" and "Jonathan"), but very briefly we fostered him as a child and then through a series of unfortunate circumstances I became his legal guardian after his parents' deaths. Thank you very much for reviewing.I appreciate it a lot.
Wendy
Comment from Spitfire
Great chapter. Encouraging things are happening. Glad the staph infection cleared. That's what killed my mother when she developed one while in the hospital to put a stent in her artery. She was 87 though and ready to pass over. I don't think Jonathan felt that way at all. The group home sounds ideal as do day visits with your family.
reply by the author on 28-Mar-2024
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Great chapter. Encouraging things are happening. Glad the staph infection cleared. That's what killed my mother when she developed one while in the hospital to put a stent in her artery. She was 87 though and ready to pass over. I don't think Jonathan felt that way at all. The group home sounds ideal as do day visits with your family.
Comment Written 27-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 28-Mar-2024
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I am so sorry to hear that about your mother - so very sad. Thank you very much for another lovely review - I appreciate it each time.
Wendy
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Wendy,
I can't imagine the ups and downs that you endured for all the years of taking care of Jonathon. It's refreshing to see that things seem to be heading in the right direction. There has been so much misuse and abuse of power in dealing with Jonathon, that it sounds as if he's on an uphill trajectory. Thanks for sharing this.
Blessings,
Tom
reply by the author on 28-Mar-2024
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Hello Wendy,
I can't imagine the ups and downs that you endured for all the years of taking care of Jonathon. It's refreshing to see that things seem to be heading in the right direction. There has been so much misuse and abuse of power in dealing with Jonathon, that it sounds as if he's on an uphill trajectory. Thanks for sharing this.
Blessings,
Tom
Comment Written 27-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 28-Mar-2024
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Thank you Tom. It was a very welcome period of peace and stability, and nice to write something a bit lighter and positive about his well-being. I am glad you enjoyed it; I appreciate your kind review.
Wendy
Comment from LJbutterfly
This chapter was a joy to read. Jonathan has been amazing as he suffered through all sorts of challenges. You have been equally amazing suffering right along with him, advocating for the best possible life he could have. This chapter proves it may take time, but there are times when bad things come to an end. I'm glad it became easier for you to visit Jonathan.
reply by the author on 28-Mar-2024
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This chapter was a joy to read. Jonathan has been amazing as he suffered through all sorts of challenges. You have been equally amazing suffering right along with him, advocating for the best possible life he could have. This chapter proves it may take time, but there are times when bad things come to an end. I'm glad it became easier for you to visit Jonathan.
Comment Written 27-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 28-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much! Yes, his life has not been an easy one. I feel for the vulnerable and the pain and demeaning they have to endure. It was lovely to have this breath of fresh air, with a time of peace and stability. Thank you for your super review, which I greatly appreciate.
Wendy
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
First of all, Jonathan is such a fighter! I am amazed at how he seems to punch through every obstacle set before him.
And Luke . . . they knew he was feeding you information.
Thank, God, for the Program Team Leader - stable and caring and a constant over many years.
This all sounds hopeful and positive. How come I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop . . .
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 27-Mar-2024
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First of all, Jonathan is such a fighter! I am amazed at how he seems to punch through every obstacle set before him.
And Luke . . . they knew he was feeding you information.
Thank, God, for the Program Team Leader - stable and caring and a constant over many years.
This all sounds hopeful and positive. How come I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop . . .
xo
Pam
Comment Written 27-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 27-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much Pam. What a super review, thoughtful and encouraging. Thank you too for the gift of six stars. Very generous, and greatly valued. Yes, they certainly had their eye on Luke. But he kept his integrity, and did the right thing, although he paid the price. Thank you again.
Wendy
Comment from Liz O'Neill
You nailed this hiding stuff or just not being caring about it: "No, they hadn't. It seems the communication still had not improved sufficiently for them to tell me all things honestly, as the Guardianship Tribunal had declared necessary." s if the daily schedule wasn't stressful enough this lack of communication not knowing is more stressful than anything else. I'm sad and angry you had to go through all that: "There was a welcome period of calm. After the challenges we had faced with that manipulative, deceitful, and bullying team in charge, we were relatively happy that things seemed to have settled. Finally." Thank you for your vulnerability you may be giving courage to others.
reply by the author on 27-Mar-2024
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You nailed this hiding stuff or just not being caring about it: "No, they hadn't. It seems the communication still had not improved sufficiently for them to tell me all things honestly, as the Guardianship Tribunal had declared necessary." s if the daily schedule wasn't stressful enough this lack of communication not knowing is more stressful than anything else. I'm sad and angry you had to go through all that: "There was a welcome period of calm. After the challenges we had faced with that manipulative, deceitful, and bullying team in charge, we were relatively happy that things seemed to have settled. Finally." Thank you for your vulnerability you may be giving courage to others.
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 27-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much, Liz. I really appreciated your comment that this story may give courage to others. I hadn't thought of that, but yes, perseverance is hard and very tiring, but if others can also hang in there, and just keep going doing what they believe to be right, then sometimes it does pay rich dividends. Thank you for that great encouragement. I greatly value your review.
Wendy
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My pleasure Wendy
Comment from Paul McFarland
Finally, a piece that is enjoyable to read. You will probably drop a bombshell on us in the future, but things look good right now. I am still amazed that you have kept involved in Jonathan's care for so long.
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Finally, a piece that is enjoyable to read. You will probably drop a bombshell on us in the future, but things look good right now. I am still amazed that you have kept involved in Jonathan's care for so long.
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you Paul. Yes, this chapter was a welcome relief for all of us, me included! It is hard (and for me it was impossible) to step back from his care when he has no one else in the world to speak up for him. I am glad you could breathe a sigh of relief here.
Wendy
Comment from lyenochka
It seems that not only Jonathan has had to adapt to so many changes in his life, you also had to adapt as you advocated for his best care over those sixteen years. I'm sorry I missed some of the previous posts but it's clear that the "board" must have recognized and respected your guardianship, the kind that every person like Jonathan needs.
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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It seems that not only Jonathan has had to adapt to so many changes in his life, you also had to adapt as you advocated for his best care over those sixteen years. I'm sorry I missed some of the previous posts but it's clear that the "board" must have recognized and respected your guardianship, the kind that every person like Jonathan needs.
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you Helen. Yes, I think you missed some pivotal and dramatic chapters, but I am glad you are back again! Thank you for your supportive review. I appreciate it a lot.
Wendy
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Sorry! I keep getting discouraged as the Inbox numbers won't decrease much beyond 50. I think I'll just give up at this point...
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Oh dear! It's good that you are very popular, but it makes for hours of work, for reviewing is very time-consuming. If you get the chance to read the chapters (don't bother reviewing) you will get a fuller picture, but don't worry if you don't get to it. I am glad you are okay. Just swamped!
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Okay, thanks!
Comment from karenina
To think that twenty-six years of devotion and mutual love seemed to balance on the (very welcome) loss of hostile management! I'm sure you were delighted and nonetheless frustrated that your essential insight into what was best for Jonathan holistically had largely been ignored.
I anticipate there will be further disappointments along the way...
I hope you take comfort in the fact that throughout two and a half decades you always looked for the best path to the healthiest physical, emotional, and psychological outcome for Jonathan!
Karenina
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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To think that twenty-six years of devotion and mutual love seemed to balance on the (very welcome) loss of hostile management! I'm sure you were delighted and nonetheless frustrated that your essential insight into what was best for Jonathan holistically had largely been ignored.
I anticipate there will be further disappointments along the way...
I hope you take comfort in the fact that throughout two and a half decades you always looked for the best path to the healthiest physical, emotional, and psychological outcome for Jonathan!
Karenina
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much Karenina, for this lovely review.
Yes, it was a long period, but looking back, I do think my views and decisions were all for Jonathan's well-being in all areas. There were so many frustrations and disappointments, and the constant feeeling that I was battling systems bigger and more powerful than me (fostering agency, government departments, medical staff who should have acted with moore integrity, disability service providers ...). It seemed never-ending at times. Thank you for your greatly valued interest and support. It is appreciated each and every time.
Wendy
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You are an earth angel!
So is Jonathan!