I have spent a morning trying to find something for my grandson for Christmas. Its complicated by virtue of the fact that his birthday is this week and a parcel has already gone with a new jumper, big bag and a torch. Now what?
Bobby was unlucky in all sorts of ways, not just having a birthday so close to Christmas. He had a stroke at three and meningitis at six. Now at 22 he s a young man with problems. He is profoundly deaf so any thing with sound is out. He can only use one hand well, the other one is clumsy so delicate adjustment toys are also out. His intelligence which was normal is seriously impaired, oh and he still limps a little.
He is a good swimmer and a handsome boy and I love him dearly.
He is resident in a Deaf Society home as far away from Cornwall as its possible to get in Margate so I don't see him all that often but I do write to him and send him things...when I can find something I think he will like. In the past I've been driven to sending him pyjamas with footballers on and I am trying not to send him socks but I am now at the head banging stage!
My communication skills with Bobby are not good. but my husband who met him for the first time a few years ago is wonderful. His wife had had a stroke before she died and he had nursed her for a year and developed a sign language which Bobby picked up immediately.
He was delighted by David and after pointing at my hand to establish that we were married he then looked at David smiled and said audibly" Grand dad." I cried and David still does whenever I tell this story. I've got Grandad on the job of cogitating too but as yet we lack inspiration!
3 comments:
Does he have a favourite football team???
Best to ask Muddlglum, here.
Thank for thinking of me Gurdur. I've been thinking of y'all.
What kind of bathing trunks does/can he have? Does he mind if they stand out? If not, then perhaps some real loud themed ones would be welcomed. You should know the themes.
What is his "mental age"? Would cardboard bricks be appropriate in the group home? If this is apt, try giving him a small set and if it is a go, send him a brick or so every week or month with a note that can be read to him. This type of brick has been made in the past in the U.S. and even some of us adults think they are cool! They are fairly large so aren't difficult to use.
Are you sending him notes? If so, do you rubber stamp them?
If not, try doing that for a while. This possibly will arouse a wish in him for his own stamps. If he uses one hand well, several can even be a form of sign language. You may even find the "I love you" one hand sign that is used in American Sign Language. Note that one may order stamps that have their ink pads inside. Just pushing down on them will flip the stamp over and
releasing them will cause the stamp to go back up to cover the ink pad.
You could even send him a stamp for his 'alf year day.
What is a alfyearday? It is a sudden inspiration I just had pointed at the poor guys that have a birthday at the end of the year. You might think of a better name, but for your grandson, celebrating a half year increase of age might be fun. Dunno.
blessings,
David Smith (Muddleglum)
Post a Comment