I love you Ter

What a gift to find someone as special as you. Some one to lean on, cry on, laugh with, share with. Someone who understands me almost better than I understand myself. Someone who will point out things even if it is painful.
You have filled in the missing pieces of my life. You have given me roots when I had none. Time and distance mean nothing to our love, our connection.
I cant believe you were there all along.
Part of my family, waiting for me to grow up so we could connect.
I love you
Jeanette

Welcome Home Joseph

Here he is - red eye and all. After 19 months of being away from home. He spent 8 months in a psychiatric facility with an autism unit. Then almost a year in a local group home preparing him and the family to receive him back in our house. This was a long process. The family had become PTSD victims from all the explosive, dangerous and violent outbursts from Joseph over the years. I contracted with the best Behavioral program in the area to provide care for him in the home. We went over safety plans and readjusted our homes in terms of securing entrances and exits as Joseph bolts often. We labeled the house, set ground rules and wrote "social stories" to help him understand safe behavior. We developed schedules and communication tools as Joseph still has the expressive language of about 2.5years. Its alot of work. Many people confronted me on why I would allow his insanity back in our lives. Two reasons. He is my heart and this is what the Department of Human Services wants: kids at home. Lets hope his gains will continue to grow.