Dancing into our Hearts in New Immigrant

Little great-niece Lila did that this week. Before her eyes were fully open on Thursday she asked her Mom, “Is it ballet class today?” Afterwards
they stopped by at the nursing home, Lila adorable in her ballerina outfit.

Although this isn’t a flattering shot of Tom or me, look at that
bright-eyed Lila. Can’t you feel her zest? And yes I am as tickled
as I look to be with her. She’ll be four in November and has grown
like a weed since seeing her at Violet’s graduation in May.

Jack’s new “home” couldn’t be more friendly. Course the residency
numbers aren’t near capacity but it’s nice welcoming newcomers gradually. The patient rooms (large room, closet and private bathroom)
open out on a large lounge area divided into smaller seating areas. A resident’s visitor had brought her dog to visit and Jack and Penny enjoyed that.

Penny and daughter Jen spend from noon until bedtime with Jack,
something recommended for his first two weeks.

This was the first time we’ve been with Jen in two years and the first since she had her brain surgery last October which left her with facial
paralysis and a lurching gait. Her memory is excellent and sense of
humor unrivaled so she could work if it weren’t for the extreme fatigue
that waves over her, requiring her to nap. Also, she cannot drive
because of vision problems and lack of co-ordination. She still has
speech therapy and physical therapy, plus biofeedback exercises
on her malfunctioning facial nerves.

Always very independent, Jen plunges ahead with whatever she
can do. It makes me wonder how I would handle the drastic
change in appearance and freedom. Although it’s been challenging and for
awhile she avoided going out, now she says she just avoids mirrors!
At home she uses handicapped transportation (calls ahead to be
picked up) and has her groceries delivered.

It was difficult for me to watch strangers interract with Jen as if she
wasn’t mentally normal. I wanted to explain that she’s fine. It made me realize I want to always treat disabled people as if they are normal mentally and I worry I may have assumed incorrectly in the past.

There was a glaring concern in the new care center, though, it seems their cook has not be schooled in food safety. Meat and egg-based salads were
being left in the salad bar 24/7 and one day Penny was served a half-cooked piece of turkey that was red inside and sitting in its pink juice.
I told Tom I was going to leave a private message on their FB page and
he was mortified. Ultimately I did, phrasing it well so Tom felt good
about it. I couldn’t face having the dear residents we met be taken down
with food poisoning (which had happened in the awful center where I
had my Mom for a couple weeks). One wonders what food safety violations were occurring in the kitchen in light of what was visible. Would you have spoken up?

I’m grateful for the:
Zest and glee of children
The colors of mums lined up for sale
My kind, knowledgeable friends

CARPE DIEM!

Last updated September 08, 2014