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Hi everyone and thanks for visiting our blog. My wife and I created this blog to chronicle our experience while raising a son with Asperger's syndrome. Since our son was diagnosed with an ASD at age 5, we've had a lot of questions. Lucky for us we have a great support network in place. And our blog gives us an opportunity to share what we've learned with our readers. We hope you find our blog informative and interesting. Thanks again for visiting.


"It seems that for success in science and art, a dash of autism is essential." Dr Hans Asperger 1906-1980



Monday 28 January 2013

THE IMPORTANCE OF CREDIBILITY

Jacob is busy doing his math homework in the kitchen, so I thought I'd take the time to create a post about something that is important to all kids.  Credibility.  And to kids like mine, credibility is even more important. Because once you lose it, you might never get it back.

Which brings me to Friday afternoon.  We were scheduled for an appointment at our family doctor's office.  Mom and I of course, prepped Jacob way before the actual time of departure.  He was okay with it, but he asked "Am I going to get a needle?"  And we told him "no" because he absolutely wasn't.

So we got to the office and we weighed Jacob and measured his height.  And we were surprised.  Jacob is 66 pounds and 4'6" tall.  To put that in perspective, Jacob's grandmother is 100 pounds and 5'2" tall.  Did I mention that he's only 8?

But all that size didn't matter when we were all given a huge shock.  Jacob was due for a needle.  Now we had 2 choices; either get the needle now and hurt my credibility, or reschedule a new appointment and have Jacob ask about the needle for 2 - 3 weeks.  We chose to just get the needle then and there.  Which required Jacob being placed in a bear hug to get the shot in his arm.

It was over quick, but you'd never know by looking at Jacob.  As we walked home, his left arm was just hanging in an attempt to not use it.  Then the pain must have spread because he began to walk with a limp.  It was only when we had lunch did he begin to feel better.

But of course, Jacob said to me "You said I wasn't getting a needle Dad."  Now he didn't make that much of a deal about it, but I'm sure that the next time we go to a doctor's appointment, he'll remember what happened.  And he'll certainly blame me, even though I had no prior knowledge of the impending needle.

What can you do?  Things like this always seem to happen, and always at the worst times too.  Hopefully Jacob doesn't feel wronged by me for not knowing about the needle.  But if he does, it's just something else to roll with.

2 comments:

  1. This post made me laugh and also brought back memories of my son when he was that age. I learned really fast to never give definite answers. To always be vague when things could go either way. :)

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    Replies
    1. No kidding. I've learned to never, ever make a promise. Because if you do, you'd better come through. Or your life will be turned upside down.

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