It’s been difficult for me to reconcile the fact that I left my teaching assistant job after six years. It was an emotionally tough decision that I had to make. My ex-husband’s voice still lingered in my head, thinking that if I left my job, I was a quitter. But this was different. Working in the special education classroom and then coming home to it was becoming too much. Then I had COVID-19, which caused me to have brain fog and aggression from a student, which led to some injury not only physically, but also damage to my mental health.

A Decision Had To Be Made

I felt myself going down that hole I did years ago when I had a break down. Something had to change, but I didn’t know what or how I’d make that happen.

The three months off for summer gave me plenty of time to give it thought, along with some tears. I looked at those kids as if they were my own. But I wasn’t doing my son any good, with my health at question. And I had to realize that was more important.

The Caseworker Who Saved My Mental Health

My son’s caseworker was becoming more involved in our lives since March, William was getting closer to the critical list on the waiver program. It was mostly a blur, it happened fast, as everything was needed last minute. She has been wonderful, and when I don’t think she’s listening, she was. I couldn’t help but smile in Williams ISP reports the little things I did that made William happy, she was watching.

She suggested I was doing way too much, offered to help me leave my current position, to be Williams paid caregiver, so I could afford being home all the time.

It took a lot of work, but we got there. Feels like early retirement. And I am at peace.

This blog is about our journey together, working on William’s goals, our funny moments, and even our complicated one too. I hope you follow us and watch my son continue growing into a beautiful, kindhearted soul that he is.