Pearl is currently in transition. In non jargon she has spent half a day at her new school, and today is spending the whole day. The rest of the week, it’s back to Horton for goodbyes, parties and general end of term shenanigans.
I too am in transition.The new school seems really promising, a new start is quite exciting. The holidays are coming, there are still house moving boxes to be unpacked, Pearl has a new set of wheels from wheelchair services.
Last night I dreamt someone told us we couldn’t live in our lovely new house anymore. We went back to the old one, and the new owners had spoilt it, and wouldn’t let us have it back. Then a variety of people I love and respect appeared and told me they hated me. It was one of those nights when I may as well have stayed awake.
When I am very stressed, I get busy. (At one point I was doing three part time jobs and caring for two children with additional needs, plus one with mental health issues) at others I’ll set myself challenges, or overcommit to volunteering.
It works well as a distraction strategy, but it doesn’t actually make the stressful situation go away. If I allow it to, I become totally overstretched and have to drop everything.
It is just possible I am writing a blog a day, to distract myself from the very purpose of writing it.
Pearl is leaving Horton. All the people who have known her for the past 8 years, watched her grow, faciliated her development gone. The staff who encouraged me when I was wrangling with the LA for a place at Kiplings, the people at Kiplings who have washed her, put her in her PJs and tucked her in, will all fade into memory and no longer be part of daily life. Pearl’s marvelous Paediatrician, who has been with us even longer, now works for Staffordshire and has a clinic in Horton. She has listened to me whinge and rail against injustice, provision and NHS shortcomings, and celebrated with me when Horton turned out to be the place, the very place for Pearl. She too will be replaced by someone from our Cheshire, because it makes logistical sense.
I am not good at goodbyes, not good at all, and leaving all these people will be a tremendous wrench.
When my children stay away overnight, I have always put a lipstick kiss on a post it, and written ‘a good night kiss from mummy’.
Just in case I become emotional and rush off on Friday, here Horton is one for you all.
This blog is part of a blog a day for Horton.So far we have raised, through your generosity £390 for the Parent, Friends and Staff Association.To add to the pot and help them provide some extras that make a real difference to the friends of Pearl donate here.
The Wrong Kind of Snow 
Aw, its so sad saying goodbye to a place/people where you have felt secure and know your child has been wanted. We recently moved on from our specialist speech therapist and I was so emotional x
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I have enjoyed your blog enormously and understand the day to day joys and anxieties of parenting a child with special needs. I have spent the past 30 years working at Horton Lodge and know only too well what an inspirational place it is. Pearl will have been well prepared for the next exciting chapter of her life , I hope that the move is as smooth for you……. It doesn’t have to be “Good-bye” we love to keep in touch …. that’s what families do !!!
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