Today was the beginning for Brandon starting his own life - a good life - becoming independent, working and making his own decisions. But as a mom it is hard to let go. However, I know it will lead to Brandon's good life. Brandon signed up for a job training program through the City of Austin and Goodwill to help kids, including kids with special needs, obtain job training and get paid for a part time job for 5 weeks in the summer. Brandon is so excited because he knows that he can buy a bunch of DVD's earning $7.25 an hour, 20 hours a week, for five weeks.
So this morning we went to Brandon's job training/job interview day with a large group of other kids also wanting job experience and training. Goodwill received a grant to help kids receive job training and they have partnered with many major employers in the Austin area. It is really a great program and a great opportuinity for Brandon.
Brandon and I had to separate when we got there and you could tell he was very nervous. Ms Rector, Brandon's teacher came and helped Brandon which was great. It put Brandon at ease, but also helped people understand him. Brandon's speech sometimes can be difficult to understand. I left Brandon there for 7 hours. I told Brandon this evening that he was very brave to stay all day, train, and be willing to try. He is proud of himself.
It would be easy for me to have Brandon stay at home with me for the rest of his life. But many years ago I met someone at work who had a sister with down's syndrome. His parents had her at home with them until they died. He said she was really unhappy, not prepared for life and was in shock when they died. He worked with his sister. Helped her find a job and helped her transition to living independently. He said he had never seen her so happy. To this day she has a very full life. He said to please remember this as Brandon got older because really his sister would have been happier transitioning when she was younger.
I have had other friends who are older, became sick, did not transition their kids and their kids were not prepared when they had to transition. It is tough for everyone.
I really had to think about this when we started preparing for development of Brandon's good life and his PATH to the future. Although it is really hard for me to let Brandon out in the world where not everyone is as sweet as Brandon, as nice as Brandon and as special (to me) as Brandon, it really is the only way to Brandon's good life. When we developed Brandon's PATH to his good life, Brandon said that he wants to live independently, marry someone named Yoko, and have a child. In order to meet his dream he will need to become independent just like Patrick became indepentent when he joined the Air Force. Brandon really looks up to his brother Patrick and wants to live like he does.
So in June Brandon will have his first job. I remember my first job at Burger Chef. It was pretty rough. I think they are still talking about the time I had the biggest over-riing in the history of Burger Chef and the time I flooded the entire place when it was my night to close down and clean up. The water turnoff was in the locked area of the place. The water spout broke and there was no way to turn off the water. Therefore, the whole place flooded. They are probably still talking about that as well.
I hope Brandon's experience is much better. This whole experience may be harder on me than him, but I am hanging in there knowing that one day Brandon will have his good life.
More updates later.
Leah
