I’ve debated posting this blog post. But I think it’s actually essential that I do and I’m pretty certain some of you ladies have faced the same issues (in whatever capacity).
On Wednesday I went to pick Eldest up from school (mad Middle in tow wielding that blooming Paw Patrol ride on of his). As his class emerged, his teacher indicated that she needed to speak to me. Oh god, what’s he done now I thought to myself. His teacher then proceeded to hand me the above post-it note. I was blind sighted. Mainly because when I went to do his homework with him last week and asked him to get his ‘super pencil’, he advised that Mrs C had told him he no longer required it. “That’s amazing news Aden!” I exclaimed. “It shows you how much all your hard work has paid off!” I proudly added. We’ve been going through a workbook she sent home after his parent teacher interview every weekend.
Back to Wednesday. “How do I go about getting him referred?” I asked utterly perplexed, whilst he stood beside me. “You just need to call your doctors” she advised. “But he doesn’t need the aid on his pencil anymore, he told me so” I replied. “Oh, it wasn’t working and I am concerned that he is actually hurting himself whilst trying to write now” she informed. Whilst this conversation was taking place, Middle had disappeared entirely. “I have to go find the other one now but I will call the doctors right away” I yelled back whilst scanning the surrounding area for Middle. Having located Middle running around the playground like a mad man, off we set for home (Paw Patrol ride on under my arm as per). I immediately called the doctors en route who asked that I call back the following day and someone would speak to me.
The next morning, whilst awaiting them calling back, I made a list of all the issues Eldest is currently experiencing. Might as well get it all out there and noted, I reasoned with myself. After explaining his teacher’s concerns and advising of the options that had been exhausted by her, he grumpily responded: “refer him to Occupational Therapy because he can’t hold a pencil?”. Listen you sanctimonious arsehole, I’m doing what I was told to do by a fellow professional and I’m doing it to best serve my son. Granted I should have had some kind of supporting evidence from his school (bar a post it note and a conversation) but, I’m not calling you up for the sheer laugh! I was so livid I could barely speak. I didn’t bother to highlight the other issues I’m dealing with when it comes to him. I merely ended the call and dissolved into tears. A sea of frustrated ones at that.
This reaction left me entirely in limbo. What should I do? I decided to call the school and ask that Mrs C provide me with a letter, stating everything she had tried and why she felt OT would be beneficial for him. She then called me back apologising profusely for the way in which she had handled ‘post-it gate’. She also placated me with the fact that she had spoken with the internal support teacher with regards to getting him the help he needed. I was now calm. Well, I was until the following day.
Apparently I would have to self refer Eldest. Now, if we could all self refer ourselves places, I’m pretty sure I’d be sitting here with a liposuctioned stomach and a boob job! I was also having to do this once again with no supporting evidence from his school. Every medical professional will surely think I’m a neurotic nuisance now!
OT are yet to return my numerous calls and voicemails. I haven’t been able to sleep all weekend for worrying about Eldest and the fact that, the longer this goes on, the more he falls behind in school. Being able to write is an essential life skill after all. Who would have thought getting him the help he needs would be so dramatic? As I said to the doctor, my job as his mum is to ensure that he is kept alive and grows/prospers. Seemingly the latter isn’t important enough.