Fear and Loathing

So sorry for the long absence. I've just gotten back from a week-long convention in Las Vegas and the time went by just like...a year. I love Las Vegas but when it takes you longer to get across a street than it did to fly there, its enough. The hotels are so big now I have to bring a snack and emergency contact information just to go from one end to the other. But seriously folks...

When I am away my mind wanders all over the place about what things might happen to my family while I am gone. This time I also had time to think about how vulnerable special needs children sometimes are. Recently there have been 4 events concerning Dakota's school bus. He is supposed to be dropped off at daycare after school because no one is at our house. When children are dropped off at their homes, the bus driver is supposed to actually see an adult come out of the house. If no one comes out, the driver is to call the house and if they get no answer they have to bring the child back to school. Twice Dakota has been dropped off at an empty house. One other time he laid down on the seat and fell asleep; the driver forgot he was there and started back to the bus barn. Fortunately Dakota woke up and so was eventually taken to daycare. Once when he was dropped off at home, I happened to be there and headed back to my office. I opened the door and there he was but there was no bus around and no one had called me. In fact, no one called me any of the times he was dropped off at the wrong place or even when there was a bus accident and he was missing for over an hour. If I had not by chance been home, I have no idea what would have happened. Most of my neighbors work during the day so where would he have gone? Most kids might stay around in the yard or garage and wait but for how long and what about if it was freezing outside? Dakota cannot tell time nor does he understand the concept so he wouldn't know when we were coming home. I fear he would try to walk to a store; or who knows who might stop and hurt him or talk him into going with them. Of course we tell him about strangers and all of that but he is still just a little boy who can't fight back and, because of his disabilities, is easily influenced. Every parent worries about their child and strangers or even just crossing the street, but eventually the kids reach an age where that is not as big a concern. They can cross bigger streets or would know to stay around the house if no one was at home. But you don't always know with special needs children if they understand or if someone might be able to say something to them in just the right way that makes them forget what you taught them and listen to the stranger.

These things make it so important to make sure your kids know your neighbors and what to do in case of emergencies; whose house can be their back up to use the phone or wait for you. Those of you with special needs neighbors- please take the time to let your neighbor know you would be there for their child. I know I would appreciate it and I would do the same for you.