New stage...

OK, after lots of meetings, paperwork, juggling of hours, money and looking at centres, Clive and I think we have sorted out the new stage in Steven life...


On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Steven will go to the Out of Town day centre which is based near Hedge End. They have a few animals and allotments there that will need looking after, as well as social skills like bus and train rides, swimming, sailing, skiing and lots more like arts and crafts, drama and music to name a few...

Tuesdays he will attend a day centre called Creative Advances and it's based here in Portsmouth, in fact about a 10 minute drive away from us. He will doing things like shopping using his symbols and then going back to the base to cook he's own lunch... But also sometimes he will meet up with some old friends and go on some day trips,...

and then on Thursday he will be going out with a young lady called Nicola who works for Enableability. She will take him out on trips to places like the living rain forest, Marwell, the Island of Wight, to a centre to do ICT, the gym, also to another centre to cook his own lunch...

It's all very new and we're not sure how Steven will not only react to the new staff but how he copes with the changes. But, we are not worrying too much as we will have a review in a few months to check all of us are happy with everything or not, as it can be changed, as nothing is set in stone.

Also if funds permits we hope to keep up with he's social sills of meeting up with friends for a few hours in the evening and at weekends, so he can still go out for dinner, bowling, play crazy golf, all the things most 19 year old do,...

OK people that know me, will know I'm going worried a bit over the next few weeks, as it's the unknown, but I do feel a bit better than I did this time last week, so that must be a good sign...

I would like to say A big thank you to all of you, for your support I've had from YOU my friends, I really do appreciate it, without it I'm not sure how I would have got through the last year or so, so THANK YOU...

Meeting......

Well had the meeting yesterday, the new social worker was unable to make it, (as if I was surprised, lol). To be honest my head was fit to burst by the end of it, but since then have been thinking about it and had a good chat with Clive last night, and with a bit of tweaking, we might just have things sorted to what we would like for Steven. Hopefully I can tell you more at the weekend, as don't want to get my hopes up, just yet...

Oh plus note, we got invited to Sam and Matt's for dinner yesterday evening, it was lovely, Matt did the main course (a he doesn't work on Tuesday) and Sam did the pudding... The main course was chicken breasts stuffed with soft cheese, herbs and garlic and was served with new potatoes, steamed summer vegetables and garlic bread on the side, it was all freshly made, nothing frozen.

Sam made a puff pastry case filled with summer fruits and served with fresh cream, it was all yummy and after a couple of bottles of wine, we finished off playing on the wii. I've never played on one before, Steven has at school and Clive did at Christmas when we visited his brother and family.

Later in the evening Sam asked Steven if he wanted an apple, in which he signed yes (he loves he's fruit) so Sam took him out into the garden to pick one off their tree. Steven face was a picture, he reckonized they were apples, but what were they doing on a tree, when usually he gets them in a plastic bag from Asda, lol...
Well he soon grabbed one and was biting into it, he must have enjoyed it, as he went back for a 2nd, lol... We didn't leave there till gone 10.30, it was a very enjoyable evening and hopefully we will do it again very soon Sam (as it was a treat not to cook and be waited on, lol).

Today I took Steven on a bus ride down to Gunwharf Quays as I had decided to take him to see Toy Story 3, but as he has not been to a cinema for years and was not sure how he would take to it, I stuck to the normal one and not 3d.
He seems to enjoy it, even chuckling a few times (when Woody got caught under the dog). We then wondered round and bought some new swim trucks and some lunch before catching the bus home. This one was a little busier as it went past the sea front and of course the sunbathers and swimmers were leaving, so yes my son thought it would be great fun to say hallo and goodbye to everyone that got on and off the bus. I was glad when it was our stop, lol.

Tomorrow I have another meeting here at 11 and then thought Steven and I might meet Sam for lunch, via a visit to hobby craft as I want some 12x12 boxes for my clear stamps, as I hoping to get back to sorting it at the weekend.

Out of Town...

I took Steven to the Out of Town Day Centre today, he was very loud while driving there and I felt YUK (with lack of sleep and worry of the unknown), but we had a good run and took us about 25 minutes.

I stayed with him, he fed the pigs, well tried too, instead of throwing the sliced apples in the pen he dropped them in. Which meant after the pigs found the food, they ended up with the rest of the apple slices on their backs (as Steven kept dropping them in). They looked quite funny walking around with sliced apples on them, lol... he also helped water the vegetable garden with help from Cheryl and Justin...

Steven had his packed lunch while we were there and ate it very nicely, OK was a bit loud, but that was not a bad thing as they could see or should I say hear him like he usually is...

He also painted a garden gnome boots black, then Cheryl asked him what colour the coat was going to be, Steven chose red, but he then painted the whole of the face red, so the gnome is looking rather sun burnt, lol...

I'm taking Steven back again on Friday, where I'm to meet Michael who might work with Steven (or it could be Justin, who we saw today). Cheryl will assess things over the next few weeks to see which person she feels would be best to work with Steven, in other words, get the best out of Steven...

I do feel a little more relaxed with Steven going there, but it's early days. I still have the meeting here tomorrow morning with the social worker and the other agencies that might be working with Steven on other days of the week. Also am hoping the new social will be coming, the one that is taking over from the one we've been working with the past 18 month.

As I type this, Steven is lounging on the settee with his feet on he's dad's lap chilling, I think the fresh air and the little bit of work he did has worn him out, so I'm hoping for a good nights sleep from him.

well I can always dream, can't I...

End of an era...

Well Friday has come and gone and my youngest has left school, it was a little emotional for me, the leavers parents were invited to the leavers assembly, which a few of us went to.

I was a little tearful when I got there, but the assembly was drawn out as a few teachers and assistants were leaving too, so by the time it got to the 6th form I was a little more composed, lol...

Steven had to go up for an award for 100% attendance for the summer term, which I was proud of him getting. But had to smile as they were reading through the list another child was not there to pick there's up. So the head teacher ripped the certificate up, and said 'well they've not got 100% attendance if they're not here today'. I was a little shocked but it was the true...

Then all the leavers were called up in pairs, Steven went with a lad called Guy, who he went on the sailing trip with and they had a photo of the two of them taken from that trip up on the big screen. That's when I started to lose it, but managed to take one last photo of him at school with one of he's assistance Jan, that has know him the whole 15 plus years he's been at East Shore and The Mary Rose schools, before I legged it.



So an end of an era for Steven, not sure how he's going to take it, he's been saying school or as he says 'ooooll' all weekend and I've been saying 'school has finished, school has gone, gone, gone' (as that's what he says about my dad 'gone, gone, gone' when he looks at his picture, so thought, school will be gone from his life, like my dad has)...

****

But a new stage of our life's starts again tomorrow, as I am taking him for a taster session at a day centre near Hedge End (we've visited twice already) as the social worker has not got anything sorted for him as yet. I had asked for some taster days with school staff at a couple of centres, but it seems they're was a lack of communication. It seems the school blamed the social worker and the social worker blamed the school, so I've given up with both of them and phoned the centre myself and am taking Steven there tomorrow.
But I also got in touch with the social worker saying what I've done, I think she was a little shocked that I had gone ahead, and has now arranged for a meeting here at my house on Tuesday at 10am for the other agencies that hopefully will be involved with Steven, so looks like my interfering has worked, lol...

...and another reason I did it, was the social worker who we've been working with us the last 18 months is starting a new job on the 1st August. And I knew once that happened we would have a new social worker that neither Steven or I have met, and I didn't like the thought of going through the last 18 months again with them.

Mugs and Post-it books...

Not sure if you remember Steven doing some art on some mugs for leaving presents for he's teachers, (see here) and how I was not sure if to put the names on them.

Well the vote was yes, if I have time, so here are the finished mugs, all tagged up with the full name of the people they were meant for...


and yesterday I managed to finish Steven's finished post-it books as well...



Today I took them into school, not sure what they thought of them, as I went in, left them at reception and came straight home again... me a coward, never, but I know I'm going to be a little emotional with Steven leaving...

On plus note, I managed some crafting this evening, a few quick cards that I suddenly realized were needed for tomorrow and guess what, I crafted DOWNSTAIRS at the dining room table, lol...






I know, I know, I have a craft room in the attic, but the table up there is still very junked up... but I plan on getting it a bit tidy so I can do the odd card or two, for as and when I need them up there while I'm still finding homes for everything...

The reason why...it was very tiring walking up and down two flights of stairs for things, HAHAHA that will teach me

Question.... can you have an extension on an attic?

as I think I need one...







as am running about of storage space... and I've found some more stash hiding in the living room since these were taken, YIKES....

A step closer....

...to having my craft room finished, lol..

Ikea delivered my other unit and table that I couldn't fit into my car today, so just had to go straight up and put the unit together, (am getting quite a dab hand of putting the expedit units together, as done 4 already, starting with biggest one for Steven's room which was 25 holes, so the 8 one was so easy, lol)... Then I sat with Steven while Clive went up and put the table together. I do like Ikea stuff, it seems so sturdy and does not take much to put together...

So here a picture of my 20 holes ready to be filled, I've put the 2x2 one on wheels as it's been put in front of the door that goes into the eves, which when sorted will hold my Christmas decorations and bits I buy/make early for peoples birthday and Christmas...


and here is my desk, it's a Galant table (80cm x 160cm) it can have extra lengths and accessories added to it, so will see how I go... I bought the Moses chair and castors suitable for hard floor. This chair was recommended by my auntie who has had hers a few years now and it's fab, comfy with small arm rests if needed, thank Liz... .



I've also got another 4 holes to fill here.



but this 2x2 unit has a piece of melamine put on the top instead of the proper piece of wood, as that was too thick to fit on the base that goes over the stairwell. I felt the space was wasted as too deep just for ordinary shelving... and seeing nothing is going to be placed on top or the unit moved should be fine.




So all is needed now is my stash to be taken up 2 flights of stairs, any volunteers?

...but a word of warning, the front and back door will be locked and you will be searched before you leave, lol...

So any volunteers?

Sports Day...

We had Steven's last school sports day this week and he came home with a FIRST in 'knocking the skittles down'... a SECOND in 'matching the right coloured beanbag to the right coloured hoop'... and another SECOND in the 'catapulting the ball the furthest'...



and he also came last in the supported running race, he walked... well it was towards the end of the day, lol...

I just couldn't help taking a couple of photos of him casually walking and smiling, with not another runner in sight, lol...

3 weeks ago...

My attic looks like this...



and now it looks like this...



and from this...



to this...



am off to Ikea on Thursday to buy some units and look at their tables and chairs....

and I CANNOT WAIT... (can you tell I'm just a little bit excited, lol)...

Painting finished....

Yesterday I did the undercoat and I got up early this morning, (before it got too hot) to do the gloss, it took 3 hours to do, but it's finished, I've nice shiny white paintwork now...


Below is one of the base tops I had to paint, it goes over the stairs, it seemed never ending when I was painting it, LOL.... I've bought a 2x2 unit from Ikea to go on there, so not to waste the depth, Sam use to have her cuddly toys on it...



The flooring is next, I've decided to go for laminated, I love the feel of carpet on my feet but feel the way I work (messy) think laminated would be best, lol...

A bit different..

Well I've been a busy bee in the attic again, first of all I painted the whole attic white, it took 2 coats of paint to get rid of the lovely funky colours that my daughter had painted it... And then I painted it with soft coffee and clear sky, from the B&Q colour range... I do like their paint as it's lovely and thick and covers really well, I used it in Sam's house and for Steven's room.



Hopefully the room will have a more tranquil feel about it, I've still go to make the lilac paintwork white, including the back of the fire door, 2 small cupboard doors that give me access into the eves (one showing in the photo above) and 2 large bases, one by the fire exit window and the other across the stairwell... which to be honest I'm not really looking forward to... but all that will have to wait till next week, as I really must catch up with the business paperwork and household chores tomorrow...

I've also decide to go for a laminated floor, as I know what I'm like for dropping things and think a new carpet will look like an old carpet within weeks, LOL, so I need to go round and price that up next week too... and of course a visit to Ikea in Southampton to buy some units and look at their tables and of course a chair...

It's all so exciting I feel like a BIG KID, lol...

Craft room update.

Do you remember me saying about the old central heatings pipes, that had been boxed in when we had our attic converted for my daughter and how I was getting the builders in to see what they could do with it...

Well I had the builders in last Friday and they left it looking like this...

and then on Monday I had the builders back with the help of a welder, and they left it looking like this...


YEAH, it's all gone and not only do I now have an extra 39" x 42" floor space but also more light in the room...

Mugs

As most of you know Steven leaves school in 3 weeks, (not that I'm counting, lol)... and we're making some post-it books, well they are coming along nicely, Steven has finished he's art work on them, so it's down to me to do the names and finishing touches....

Another idea of mine was to give the teachers and people that have known Steven for a while a mug, so today I got Steven to do he's 'art' again...



The mugs were bought from Asda at a £1.00 for a pack of 4, and the Marabu porcelain painter pens were bought from my local craft shop, I chose 4 different colours but they're were loads of colours to choose from... and only cost me £2.69 each...



The best bit is, when you oven bake them, they will become dishwasher proof, I've not sure yet if to stencil the name of the teachers and helpers on the mugs to make them more personal...

Langstone Sailing Club

As you know, Steven and I bunked off school and work last Tuesday to go to the Sailability Open Day at the Langston Sailing Club, well on Wednesday I had a phone call from the club to say Steven had been turned down for membership...

The reason it seems, was a few of the 'older' Langston sailing Club members felt Steven is NOT suitable material to be a member, as they felt he was too loud for their liking...

OK that doesn't stop me taking him sailing, as we can still do that and make a small donation... but I have to try and keep him quiet, so I'm now in two minds what to do...

Part of me wants to say stuff it, I don't want my son going somewhere where he is not not really wanted, but when I look at the photos and remember how he so much it enjoyed it, makes ME feel guilty if I keep him away...

Yes I know Steven was loud, as that is the way Steven expresses himself when he is happy. I don't suppose the membership would mind very much if one of their own was given to a bout of loud laughter...

I did send the disability club side of it an email, thanking them for the lovely day we had on Tuesday, and could they thank the people involved in our fab day, but also said as for the people that think my son is not suitable material for their club, I sincerely hope they or their families do not get to experience the pain of having a loved one affected with a disability like my son's. But I think I will have to give some further serious thought into the implications of this matter.

Sorry to moan, but this has been playing on my mind since the phone call, I'm all in mixed emotions, mainly feeling guilty I'm not letting Steven do something he so clearly enjoyed, yet they are the ones that should feel guilty ... NOT ME...

but I do, I'm he's mum...