Okay...please indulge my Braggy Mom Moment...I am so used to drowning in symptoms, that I wanted to share a proud parent moment with all of my Sjoggie-Mates.
Many years ago I had visions of going to law school (early marriage years)...and then my husband & I adopted two precious babies. When my son was school-aged, we discovered that he
had severe ADHD and learning disabilities. I did what all Moms do...I became my son's advocate. We went through years of IEP's (individualized education plans); expensive tutors & a private school, etc. We worried when our son attempted college twice and discovered partying instead..and even managed to snag a DUI.
We worried and did not know what would become of our son. I had gone on to work for a non-profit agency for learning disabilities & advocated for children across the country to get the services that they needed in public schools. I also knew the statistics for LD kids who do not get their needs met and end up in prison and juvenile delinquent facilities.
And then our son decided to join the Marines. The Marines turned out to be the perfect fit for him. He spent his first four years advancing & doing quite well. He then decided that he would like to try to join one of the most challenging programs that the Marines have, the Marine Corp. Embassy Guard Program. We were thrilled when he was accepted. This is a highly competitive program. Most Marines chosen are of the rank of Lance Corporal or Corporal, and our son was just promoted to Sgt. He was one of the older Marines in the program.
The class started out with 157 Marines and they chose less than 100 to graduate. Our son was one of them! Of course now we worried about whether he would go to a third world country with ISIS terrorists or Ebola. Imagine our absolute shock when he told us that his first embassy assignment will be in Rome, Italy. Not sure whether we will be able to save enough this year for that kind of trip with the stack of medical bills we have...but we're darn sure gonna try. I thought we would have a year or two more to save. ;)
I guess it just feels like we are at the finish line so to speak. We managed to raise 2 great kids to be independent adults with great careers ahead of them. Not sure whether we should be doing the happy dance or down on our knees giving thanks...or both! But I have to say..with the abundance of constant medical issues, it sure feels great to have something to feel so blessed about :-D
So this weekend (Friday), one day before my son's 28th birthday, we will travel to Quantico to watch our son graduate. I bet I'll even manage a few happy tears, in spite of how few I have.
SjoDry and celebrating!!
Oh my gosh - what a great story and a happy ending! Congratulations. Your son is also one lucky man to have had a caring, wonderful mother who advocated for him as you did!
Congrats again - time to celebrate for sure!
Sending positive thoughts your way - keep us posted!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to you and your son. That is really great. You well deserve your proud Mom moment! :)
Quote from: SjoDry on September 22, 2014, 02:36:32 PM
So this weekend (Friday), one day before my son's 28th birthday, we will travel to Quantico to watch our son graduate. I bet I'll even manage a few happy tears, in spite of how few I have.
SjoDry and celebrating!!
SjoDry.. take a bottle of 'artificial tears' and shed some for us too.
Such a great accomplishment by your son..
Wishing you all a wonderful Day.
What a wonderful story! You're a golden momma, for sure! And your children are lucky that they were born of your heart.
Congratulations!
What an accomplishment!
Congratulations to ALL.
Enjoy the moment.
Congratulations to your son and you and your husband!
My son is 28 also and had severe ADHD and LD. We lived a rural area and the school systems there were not very good. After much advocating (being the mama bear ) they finally managed to work out an IEP. Unfortunately, they never followed it so I had to take matters into my own hands. I pulled him from public school and homeschooled him myself.
He also dropped out of college twice as he just lost interest in education and was sucked into the drama of girls. Eventually, he decided that he wanted to be a career firefighter like my husband.
All of a sudden, he was enthusiatically emersed in studies and excelled and aced all the tests.
Sometimes I think one just needs to find their passion in life.
Oh yeah, my son was also adopted! (though we only remember it when the topic inadvertently comes up.) We just have a silent grin between the two of us when someone who meets me in his prescence says, "Wow, you look just like your MOM! My son's response, yeah, but I'm taller and have muscles!"
I know you are so proud and every right to be, and have the happy dance. Enjoy that graduation!
Blessings to you and your family.
Well done, Momma, well done!
And I sure hope you make it to Rome.
Woman you deserve to brag!!! You're a mamma who sacrificed much and worked tirelessly for your children. How God blessed your children with you and your hubby!!
The Italy trip has got to happen!! No ifs ands or buts!
Can't imagine the plethora of emotions you have now... What a beautiful BEAUTIFUL story!! Praying you have an AMAZING weekend of all out celebrating! Have fun, the flare will be worth it!!
You rock Sjo Awesome Mamma and friend!
Love you!
~Andrea
You have every right to be proud. Raising a child with ADHD is an awesome responsibility and you stepped up to the plate and saw it through. So glad that you get to go to Quantico for this celebration. You are truly blest. There are so many sons who would benefit from the service and it is a well kept secret, isn't it. Stay healthy and enjoy the trips to come. Irish
Wow! That's a wonderful achievement for your son, and his very proud parents. I am so pleased for you. Enjoy Rome, it's a wonderful place. I took mum on a pilgrimage there a few years ago, and it was amazing. The pope usually has an outdoor mass each Wednesday, if you get chance to go along.
All the best for the graduation.
Kathyx
Wonderful to read SjoDry. Thank you so much for sharing. And sending thanks to your son for his service!
Marie :)
Congratulations!!!! I know what you have gone through. Our daughter has a learning disability. After special classes in elementary school, she remained in regular classes in high school. Thought we would never get through the periodic table!!! Many nights were spent on the living room floor with flashcards. She graduated two years ago from Vermont Law School and now has a job in Atlanta.
You have my respect and admiration for what you did. You are a special mother. We need more "mother advocates" like you.
Jennifer
Congratulations! You are understandably proud!!
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you and your son! My son is a Marine Veteran (Iraq), so I totally relate to the pride you can't help but feel.
Happy celebrating and OohRah!!
Maria
Thanks everyone for the kind words and congratulations.
We went to the graduation at Quantico, which was great. We went to the Marine Corp Museum and then onto Washington to see the Museum of American History the next day.
I was in so much physical pain I felt like crying..yet pushing myself ...not wanting to miss a moment of the fabulous weekend. Yes, I paid dearly...but knew that I would not ever have
that chance again. Anyway..I rationalized that it was preparation for walking all over Italy when we visit. This translates to: take plenty of pain meds.
Still smiling from it all! It was worth every minute of pain.
Sjodry ;D