Transition

     Transition is a word we all have heard but for those that have kids with medical and cognitive disability you hear it very often.  In fact, I have heard it as early as elementary school.  I was fortunate to be able to attend the Wisconsin Transition Conference this last week in the dells.  There were many speakers, agencies and information to get "what a parent needs" to get ready for transition.  What that means for a parent like myself, is to get all my ducks in a road approaching to 18 and the adult world. Its a mouthfull and its overwhelming to say the least. There is guardianship in which you have to claim your son/daughter can make decisions, some or none and make you the guardian instead of the parent that you have been for the last 18 years. There is a special needs trust, SSI, state programs and post secondary education or college to most of you. It's basically another language.
Meghan will be 18 in 2 years. So I have some time right? As you know time seems to be flying by and so much to do.  Fortunately I have the right people that I've met over the years that know the ropes to help me through it but so many things to do and another transition is so emotional! This is my young lady soon to be an adult! But ..... she is limited in what she can do and that is where it gets very tricky.
Luckily for us and for meghan that I know that she has opinions and we have to work with her on her communication so she can tell me what those are.

The session that was so excited about, that I saw at the transition conference was one on a autism college right here in Wisconsin. Its called the Wisconsin Independent Life College.wisconsinilc.org/  They are located in Waterford,WI.  What is so amazing about this college is that it is supported with RPM(the communication method), that my daughter is using. Their presentation was all about the students, they have 3, telling people their thoughts by spelling on the letter board.  It was amazing.  I know that this is the place Meghan could and will attend in 5 years when she is done with High School.  At this time, it is not residential but I expect that they are moving towards this.
So when I saw there presentation I asked what they work on at the College.  They told me that they are doing an online course, book club, prevocational skills, life skills, career and job development but it is very individualized.  But for us, this is exactly what Meghan will need.  Not forgetting, she still has a medical condition that will limit her.  The difference is that we know all of these people.  It is a small world with RPM.  So they have known us since 2008!  That gives Meghan and I so much more comfort.
I have been praying for this for a long time to have some clear paths to go and this is one that God has led us to!
That's why it is so important to Pray big and know that he will direct your path!  This is an exciting and challenging time for all of us.  Having those resources for Meghan and for us is going to make it so much easier.