#2096 Thursday 16th June

 It's been a good day ..... Kaylia has a new support person .... Kim.... and Kim is pushing Kaylia to engage in a routine including regular chores.  Kaylia is accepting this from Kim where she would be hard to handle if I did the same.  Kaylia is still grieving the loss of attending school.  This has been a daily routine for so long and it's understandable that the change is hitting her hard.

Naomi is setting up an online enterprise that can be Kaylia's "work" .... or part of it.  We still hope that Work Power will come good with a placement for Kaylia ..... but the problems that NDIS is causing for such organisations seems to be hitting them.  This then has a direct impact on Kaylia.

#2095 Tuesday 14th June

 We often despair of Kaylia expressing emotions and empathy .... but I had a very graphic and meaningful demonstration from her last night.   As you probably know, Kaylia sleeps not far from us and last night I was in the middle of a particularly bad nightmare.  (I regularly have bad nightmares resulting from the abuse I experienced 60 years ago.)  .... so ..... I remember this one clearly and in the dream I was screaming and crying .....

..... I must have been loud because Kaylia woke me out of the nightmare with a big hug ..... and then she cuddled me back to sleep.  I was very impressed with her actions and clear empathy.

#2094 Monday 13th June

Some nice sentiments from school staff after her last day. 

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We have all loved watching Kaylia grow into the beautiful young woman she is becoming and wish her all the best with the endeavours you have planned for her.

We will treasure the fond memories Kaylia has given us over the years.  It has been an absolute pleasure to watch her enjoy so many aspects of school and outings over the years. From my first outing with Kaylia and worrying I would lose her as she charged off to her destination to soon after being able to nominate Kaylia as a group leader knowing she knew the expectations and would follow instructions.  I will always remember Kaylia for her fearless approach to playgrounds and outdoor adventures, climbing and trying everything available to her.  Kaylia's enthusiasm at Latitude to climb and charge through the high ropes course and her determination to jump into the foam pit from the highest point will inspire me for years to come.  Kaylia's evolving passions from colouring, to scratch art to squishy toys to beads and stickers have kept me on my toes and have taught me that nothing is forever and joy can come from many places. Kaylia has reminded me to enjoy what life offers you and go get what you want without hesitation, and often with both hands.

I am especially grateful that I have had the opportunity to enjoy Kaylia's Year 11 semiformal with her as well as two year 12 Balls.  I doubt I will ever attend one of these functions again with someone with so much exuberance and energy as Kaylia.

Thank you for entrusting Kaylia with us for so many years and supporting us in supporting Kaylia through her school journey. 

#2093 Sunday 12th June

We've just returned home after the day's tour of op shops...... Kaylia ran inside with the "take" of DVDs......  then we heard a great CRASH!

The pile had collapsed..... and she was not happy.  It was packing time.... filling boxes ready for recycling the DVDs.

On the medication front, the psychiatrist has increased the dose again plus prescribed a new one.  I hope we can find a good mixture soon. Her behavior..... as well as being unpleasant for us.... makes her life unpleasant and makes any outside activities very stressful as we must constantly watch for situations that might result in harm to people around her.