Friday, December 30, 2016

Can Determination Be the Key to Success?

Determination.

Many bloggers participate in a meme to choose a word for the year, that they will use as a springboard to achieving goals in the coming year.

As my regular blog readers know, I am the sister in law of a man in his late 50's, living in New York State, who has a developmental disability called autism. I call him "Bil". My husband is his brother's guardian.  Together, we are determined.  Although Bil lives with his elderly mother, he will be my husband's responsibility one day.

It's not an easy thing.  Therefore:


DETERMINATION will be my word for 2017.

DETERMINATION
will give us the strength to find services for Bil that will permit him to gain some independence; to be able to do more of the kinds of things he wants to do.  This is not an easy thing to do-dealing with government bureaucracy never is.  In 2016 my husband had to deal with delays, ranging from the agency moving to paperwork being lost to...well, you get the idea.

But it looks like the intake for this service may actually happen later in January.

DETERMINATION will help both of us persevere.  I refuse to be be swallowed up by the need to help with the needs of my elderly mother in law and "Bil".  Is it selfish?  I do not think so.

My DETERMINATION
to eventually write a book to help others with an adult member of their family who has autism had disappeared.  I had hoped to use this blog as a vehicle for that.

What I am finding is that I am still floundering; that this blog is still adrift without a clear course of action.  I am determined for that to stop, even if I have to stop posting for a while and regroup.

Finally, I am determined that Bil, once the time comes that his mother in law can no longer care for him, that he will have a place to go.  Shouldn't that be our home?  Well, that would be worth a post or two just on that topic.  We are both older than Bil.  Living with us can not be a permanent solution.

And, there is the matter of the incoming President of the United States. There is nothing I've seen that convinces me that Bil's quality of life will be improved by the change in administration.

I can only hope I am wrong.

Come link with me and others revealing their word for 2017.  Join us at Alphabet Salad and  #FridayReflections.

12 comments:

  1. You have a lot on your plate, and this word sounds perfect for the direction in which you're heading. All the very best to you and your family in the coming year.

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    1. Thank you, Laurel. I will be blogging about what ends up happening this year.

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  2. The incoming pres scares me... and I'm not even in America. I hope his new administration and the new government doesn't adversely effect opportunities and services offered to your BIL and those on the spectrum. I hope your determination pays off in each of your areas. Good luck for 2017 with all you wish to achieve! x

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    1. I am pessimistic - but that is where public opinion comes in. There is still hope.

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  3. I think its not just a wonderful word but a very powerful one too. I wish you all the best on this journey and wish you a very happy new year too!

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    1. It is a powerful word - I will live up to it as best I can.

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  4. Determined. That's a great word. I wish you, your husband and family the best with getting BIL set up for the future.

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  5. Great word to have and I'm sure it will take you all to where you want to be.

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  6. Determined gives a sense of purpose to your actions, perhaps. It is good that in your country, there is still so much help available. Of course, the new President does scare me.

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    1. I am determined not to let his policies defeat me, or my brother in law. We'll see how brave these words are in the coming months.

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