Laura

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troutbend
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Laura
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Estes Park, CO
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08/01
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Married
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Hotel - Hospitality

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This Oughta Be Good

Parenting & Family > It's a Good Game
 

It's a Good Game

I have been away and part of my excuse is that my cousin has been in and out of the hospital because of seizures.

I've told you about her before, she's intellectually disabled and lives near us here in Las Vegas. Her disability is hard to describe because it's not Down Syndrome, it's not autism, it's not slow intellect. She is reasonably bright, can do simple math in her head and has a great memory, better than mine.

The disconnect is in logic and reasoning and ability to focus. She can't adjust a thermostat and her motor skills are such that she can't open food packets. I think of her as being like a bright, chatty six year-old who has been taught good manners and to avoid talking to strangers when she's by herself.

She lives alone in an apartment and has help come in every few days to help her cook meals, pay bills, see that she does her chores, and do errands like grocery shopping.

Betsy is a ward of the state so Nevada Social Services staff members supervise her life, and we are just a social adjunct. It's good for us because we don't have the responsibility of her daily life, our role is to be entertaining.

Last night we went over to the hospital to visit and took her an electronic poker game. She already has a word scramble game, like Scrabble and some other kinds, but I wasn't sure if she knows how to play poker or if she would complain the screen was too small or she couldn't figure out how to use the buttons. No danger of any of it. She glommed onto that game, pronounced it a 'good game' after the merest glance, and started in playing it. She was just thrilled, and actually had emotion in her voice when she thanked us for giving it to her.

Betsy's supposed to go home today, we're waiting to hear. They decided to change her seizure medicine, but she takes so many prescriptions, I think they should first eliminate a recent stomach remedy prescription that lists dizziness, interactions with seizure medication, and backaches as possible side effects and then see how she does. I voiced my concerns to one of the staff members, but they have other ideas, and it's not our place to get involved. If push really comes to shove I could enlist Betsy's older sister in Illinois, but even she doesn't have a lot of say, either.


posted on Mar 13, 2011 2:03 PM ()

Comments:

I was proactive with Jay's care of course and raised a stink if I thought he was being over-medicated. But I had rights as his wife. It's tough to stand by and see wrong decisions being made.
comment by tealstar on Mar 14, 2011 7:59 AM ()
You are a great cousin. I'm sure she appreciates all you do for her.
comment by solitaire on Mar 14, 2011 6:30 AM ()
Sometimes she takes it for granted, but once in awhile we do just the right thing and she gives us a big 'I thanks you for the game.'
reply by troutbend on Mar 14, 2011 1:52 PM ()
Isn't it pleasing when someone enjoys a present that you give them? I
am so glad she was happy with her game.
comment by elderjane on Mar 13, 2011 10:40 PM ()
She doesn't have the artfulness to pretend to like something, so we always know if it was a hit or a miss.
reply by troutbend on Mar 14, 2011 1:54 PM ()
Sending warm hopes and best cheer to your cousin, and offering my wish that Betsy's doctors will find a combo of meds that keep her seizures at bay. So glad you guys are involved and caring.
comment by marta on Mar 13, 2011 5:34 PM ()
I'll let her know that people are sending her good wishes, she'll like that idea. She's done a lot to enrich my life.
reply by troutbend on Mar 14, 2011 1:59 PM ()
I am glad you are there for your cousin, I am sure she appreciates you! And how nice to visit her in the hospital. I hope they figure out what is best for her before her seizures get any worse...
comment by kristilyn3 on Mar 13, 2011 2:49 PM ()
It's always refreshing to spend some time with Betsy, gives us something to talk about besides bowling and video poker.
reply by troutbend on Mar 13, 2011 4:33 PM ()

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