Kind of feels like a change, but kind of doesn't. Especially when we have two boys with special needs.
Even though statistics show that most children show mild symptoms of COVID-19, Down syndrome often tends to be a variable that often no one can calculate or completely understand. Even our pediatrician has shared that DS doesn't always follow the book of how things "should" go.
This is especially true of our Jonah. He can go from bad to worse very quickly and often without explanation. We have seen it with kidney infections, pneumonia, strep throat, ear infections, and last year after his surgery with breathing difficulties.
So I do consider Jonah to be part of the vulnerable population.
The other added complication for us is our boys, especially Jonah, do not understand personal space. We work very hard to help them respect people's space, but they are often random and unpredictable about when they are going to "invade"- a hug, a kiss, an in-your-face greeting, a surface lick...I think you get the picture.
How in the world do I take these two boys out in public and expect to keep them 6 feet away from people? I definitely would have to hold their hands at all times, but that would get met by great resistance at some point. And with two of them, the logistics of holding on to both is just hard for me. This is why I think it might be easier for us to just stay home with them as much as possible even though things are starting to open up.
Home isn't a bad place- the boys have lots of fun things to play and do. And they have each other so they aren't without friendship. But it is hard when they see neighbor kids playing outside and want to join in the fun.
We experienced that this week. Jonah was sobbing in tears, yelling in anger, and then just threw himself on the sofa in dismay after we brought him inside because we didn't want him running over to the neighbors to play bubbles.
I know this sounds mean of us, but as I explained above, Jonah's behavior is too variable. Jonah can hardly control himself around babies so I was worried he would go right in for a hug/kiss of the little baby.
And it's not that I am just worried about him contracting something, there is also the concern he could pass something on to someone else. Even though the boys are staying home, the rest of us are interacting with the outside world, so there is always the possibility we could bring something home.
Just difficult and weird social situations that I am not quite sure how to handle. On one hand, I feel bad "squelching" the socialness of our boys- especially Jonah. He loves interacting with people! I felt so bad when I watched him collapse on the sofa, just sad and frustrated with life at the moment.
And the other added element is even though we try to explain to the boys that too many people are sick right now so that is why we are staying home, do they really completely understand or do they just think we are being mean?
Just some observations from a special needs perspective about safer at home.
Yes, we have so much to be thankful for despite the difficult situation our world is facing- we and our loved ones are safe and healthy, Andrew is keeping busy at work, and we are having some great and precious family time- so many blessings.
So I am not trying to say things are bad for us- just sometimes my heart hurts for our two boys who are living in a world they don't always understand. And being their mom, I feel responsible for helping them with the frustration that may cause them- but sometimes, I just don't know how to help...
Personal space teaching- oh how we are trying :)
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