Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Down Side of a Working Brain

Daughter continues to show great improvement, and it is obvious that the last increase in medication has enabled her to think much more clearly. She's making plans again, and looking to the future. All of this is good, and to be celebrated, but it does complicate life.
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She wants to be more social, and not just at the workshop. She recognizes the limitations on her ability to connect with friends in the evening and on weekends that are created by living 12 miles from Town. Yesterday evening she informed me that she wants to live in her own apartment in Town. I pointed out that her meds are kept locked up and she has difficulty managing them on her own. Rather than arguing with me, she modified her goal to getting into a supported living situation more quickly (the waiting list is very long, and not going to move very quickly given the current economic realities). I also don't want to set her up in supported living here if I'm going to be moving out of the area within the next year or so.
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Secretary is going to send her foster sons into Tiny Village on their bikes a couple of nights a week. They will play games with Daughter and the socialization will be good for all of them. Hopefully this will help meet her need for socialization apart from the workshop.
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I can see that she will continue to push against the limits that are a reality of life in Tiny Village, and I am going to have to find creative ways to meet her needs. I'm also going to have to make more opportunities for her to spend time with her friends in Town, even though that is not convenient for me.
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It also seems like her improved brain function may enable her to sustain her relationship with New Guy for longer than she has been able to in the past. That will also require me to find creative ways to allow them to spend time together in safe settings. NG is going through paternity testing right now, so we're again going to have to deal with a guy who has been sexually active and Daughter's PTSD with anything sexual.
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All of these are good problems to have. Unfortunately, they will also complicate our lives. It will take some planning, but I will support and provide opportunities for Daughter as she seeks to spread her wings.

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