Really? . . . . YES!

Well, Tyler & I see a therapist occasionally because we have issues. I'm sure all parents go through this sort of thing with a child or two - and it helps. I don't care if it's normal or not - for us - seeing a therapist helps. One of the things we have discussed over a number of visits (in regards to myself) is the fact that I have a terrible memory. THAT is the reason I take so many pictures and scrap. It's proof, evidence, that I was a good mom and we did things and we had fun. Pictures may not always trigger memories with me but at least I have proof that I was there and we did that! But, there are things for which a picture can't help. That poses a problem when trying to deal with 3 boys arguing and saying, "but you said . . . " and "last time . . . " - etc. It's part of the reason I'm so inconsistent. Anyway, another thing I've brought up is that I can't find the right words to express what I mean. Nothing comes out clearly. It's why I will avoid a confrontation at all possible costs. I'll stand and stutter or mumble things that make no sense. I did tell him that I can sit at the computer and type exactly what I mean. I said that I think faster than I talk and that's part of my problem when dealing with confrontational issues, either with my kids or other folks. But, I can type - REALLY fast!

You wanna know what he told me?????? He said, "That's the ADD." I'm like, "whaaaaaaat?????" LOL! Halleluja! I've said it for YEARS! If it had been as widely known when I was a kid - I'd have been on meds and my life would probably be very different - all good (w/ the execption I might have finished college the first time around and never have met Sky).

So, I would LOVE to be REally tested! And, YES. I'd love to try some meds. I think it'd be neat to feel what a normal person feels like for a change - to have the organization of thought and say what you mean the first time around. Oh - so many things I think of that I could do better if I had a clear head. :)

Jerabek Challenge 4-mile run

Tyler did a great job! Over 600 runners and walkers - and he was 415 (or something like that). He wants to do it again next year and Sky said he'd run with him!

WWII re-enactment @ RRM

This was a lot of fun!

Before, During, and After - Justin getting Braces!

Awww!

Scenes from Evergreen! (minus the fun, naughty ones! LOL!)

You can click on the image and it will enlarge and they you'll be able to see all the pictures clearly. It was a fun camping trip - for the most part. This is the one where the little girl drown - how I wish I could find out her current condition (she didn't die). But, we had a large group. Saturday morning we had omelets and in the evening we had kabobs. I like the community meals. We arrived a day earlier than the rest of the group so we had a day to ourselves. I enjoy camping both ways! I wish we could cram one more in before the end of the season when we have to turn our camper in to be fixed from that accident in TN. Next year - I plan on camping a lot! :)

Just how is a mom NOT to be over-protective???

So, two Friday's ago the kids' friend, not so much - but a child they used to hang out with, was riding his bike and hit by an Escalade. I'm guessing 45/50 mph. Last I heard when I took his mom to the hospital one day was he was in a medically induced coma with a skull fracture, a fracture of T6 and T8, somewhat paralyzed on his left side, will have to learn to walk again and may be slow - I don't know if that was at best or what. It's hard to determine the level of brain damage when in a coma. So, he wasn't wearing a helmet but doc's say even so - at that speed - it might not have done any good anyway. Thing is - I'd never have let my kids ride their bikes on that road, nor many others with speed limits of only 35. So, my paranoia has me demanding my kids now wear helmets. But, because they never did before Sky says we should encourage them, not demand. ????? I see his point but we're the parents. Truth is - Sky is on the fence about helmet use. So, when we went camping he told the kids (Joshua must always wear his - hands down, no argument) that they didn't have to wear them on Thursday but had to the rest of the time we were there. Of course, they complained. Well - not Tyler so much - we bought him a new, "comfy" helmet because his old one was "uncomfy." But, Justin's was so loose - what was the point???? Well, a little girl, 4, at jellystone - not where we were camping - was run over by a vehicle at the campground and had to be airlifted! I read the story to Justin off my phone (thank you wifi). He allowed me to tighten his helmet straps.

But - as if that wasn't enough. . . On Thursday we let all three of the boys go to the pool by themselves and told Justin he was responsible for Joshua - who is 6 1/2. Justin is 13, and Tyler is 11. So, on Friday - at our very campground - a little 7 year old girl drowned! Well, she did drown but last I heard was on life support. CPR was performed for 20 minutes before the ambulance arrived. (Campgrounds are out in the boonies.) Her parents were not at the pool with her but the dad was walking up at some point before he knew of any accident. Hell - me and Sky didn't bother going to the pool on Thursday - where it was less crowded. Now, you'd think that on Friday - being more crowded - someone would have noticed. Well, when we were there on Saturday - it was clear that crowded isn't necessarily better for noticing girls under water, flailing about or not. Anyway, I hope all these children will be okay, though I do have my doubts. I cannot find any info on the news about them to learn their conditions, it' frustrating.

But, tell me - just how am I NOT supposed to be over-protective now?????

Just One Example of How the United States Does NOT Care About Its People

So, the info has been on the Pulaski web page all summer but I just didn't think to look at it - in time. So, we've missed the $20-$25 sports physical screenings that include cardiomyopathy screenings. This is used to detect Sudden Cardiac Death in young people - you know, you hear about athletes dropping dead on the field???

Well, check out this article from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertrophic_Cardiomyopathy_Screening

It describes how this screening is done and why and then compares the use of this screening to other countries and the US. In summary:

Places like Italy require competitive athletes to undergo physiological testing prior to competing. This consists of a history, physical examination, urinalysis, resting and exercise ECG, and pulmonary functioning test conducted by a sports physician. Further screening of echocardiography is required if abnormalities are detected. Studies have shown an 89% decrease in sudden death due to cardiac abnormalities.

United States

To date, there is no national policy for the screening of CVD or sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Most state laws require competitive athletes to undergo a physician-mediated physical examination and history. ECG or echocardiograms are rarely used. A medical history and physical exam have shown to have little sensitivity or power to detect HCM or other risk conditions. The theory behind this lack of national standard is that screening is viewed as an aspiration to identify a rare cardiovascular disease with low incidence in a large population (approximately 2 in 1000 individuals).

First of all - think of your high school populations. Just about all high schools have 1000, if not double or triple that number, with the exception of many rural schools. Then, again in our situation - being rural - our high school has a high population because all the rural areas are coming together in one location. It's as if our government - and our doctors who aren't fighting for this to change - are expecting each high school to lose at least 2 kids every year. And, just because here in the US we can charge out the wazoo something that should be available to all young people. I said 'young people' folks.

So, I will be a nervous wreck as Tyler runs the Jerabek on the 13th - a 4 mile run up and down hills. This is partially my fault. I say partially because screening for anyone doing this kind of activity should be as detailed as in other countries. At any rate - is it appropriate for me to tell him he can't do any physical activites just because????? No. It isn't. So, I'm left 'taking a chance' with my son's life. It scares the piss out of me but I can't hold him back either.