Let me start off with stating that I’ve never really belonged to a support group.  I had friends with kids with different special needs, and we shared and supported each other as we could.  But there was no larger organization I could join, that would give me inside information, lists of places to go, or any sort of help or aide.  We’ve never qualified for extra help outside of school, there were no clubs or walks or awareness months.  For the most part, I did my best.  We managed, and others did try to help us out.

One of the things friends in Michigan worried about when we moved here was having support for  Maura.  I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about it  myself.  I also was worried about having pulled her out of school, away from her fabulous teachers and therapists.

Now?  Less worried about all that.

See, Maura’s new school is part of a bigger system that helps people with intellectual disabilities.  Part of joining the system is that you go see their doctor, psychologist, therapists…today, we saw the doctor to get a new rescue medication for Maura’s seizures (one the school staff is trained to use – this one will be orally administered, as opposed to her current one, which is rectally given…yeah…yikes…luckily, we’ve never needed to give that to her!)

The doctor there?  Is totally  hooking me up with stuff!  It was a “What do you need?  Here’s what we have.”  I went in expected a prescription.  I left with that, plus forms so we can get her medications for free, plus news that we could qualify for other sorts of aide, plus when I asked about an eye doctor recommendation, she said ‘Oh, we have one here, I’ll get you an appointment.”  She also said that they will be able to help us get Maura’s new foot orthotics when we need them.  Did I mention all of this will be at no cost to us?

What a novelty!

She even filled out the forms and addressed the envelope for me for the long term disability coverage!  I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.

Then I get home to find a big envelope for me.  Inside is a note from the PT I haven’t met yet with a whole list of groups and activities Maura could participate in.

It’s weird – we’re finally part of a group.  The group doesn’t care what label is attached to you.  It’s a “You need help?  Well, we’re here to give it.”  And the government is willing to help us out too.  How novel.

You know, people here are always going on about how Ireland’s just a poor little country, they can’t do much to help us out, but they’ll do what they can.  I have to say – so far, they’re doing great.  The U.S. could learn a few things from the Irish.