Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting briefly with the current principal for Tony’s school to discuss how things were going for him and whether or not I’d be returning to assist him at the school next year. She remarked about how well he was doing, we talked about the growth he’s had in the school environment, and she said something that I think sometimes we all need to hear:

“He has benefited from having you here.”

For each and every person who works with our son in whatever capacity, he benefits from having you here too.

Even if I’m not talking about it right now as I try to decide how I want to handle discussing any of his other therapy services outside of my hab work. I have honestly been uncomfortable asking anyone to participate in posts about their therapy work after what happened with a former provider more than a year ago, which is why that hasn’t been happening lately. While I tried to handle any discussion about that situation with a delicate hand, there remains implicit criticism from our family in what little I did say, as we remain unable to support their handling of our son’s care at the time of termination or the manner of the termination of care from their organization, while recognizing and honoring the good they do for other families within the community. My desire has always been to make sure this is a safe space for everyone who works with him because I know at the end of the day that what I say can potentially impact a person professionally.

But that does mean that I have not been shining the same light of gratitude on those who help us here that I used to because I have definitely been talking less about the details of what they do as I remain unsure how I want to handle that going forward. We have been and always will be grateful for those who work with our son. I don’t want any of them to feel like they are unappreciated ever. But I do want people to feel safe continuing to work with our family, hence the public silence for the time being.

Because you are deeply appreciated. I am grateful for anyone who helps him in whatever capacity.

And so from me to you I give the same words:

Tony has benefited from having you here. And that is something that benefits everyone who works with him.

Thank you <3

And now I need to get going. Our little man has an unexplained fever without respiratory symptoms (COVID test negative, he’s doing so well with those now!), so we’re off to his doctor to get tested for strep.