Ocean has always loved other kids but has not had much of an opportunity to be around them due to his story. We had just gotten things more stable and were starting to get him out in that big scary world before covid happened. O loved his running club and we had just signed up for swimming - he couldn’t talk clearly to the kids but boy did he try. Now 4 months into isolation (five really since we all had a terrible flu all December) Ocean is desperate to talk to a friend. He just had one of the biggest meltdowns he’s ever had - asking for a friend to “see” him - and all I could do is hold him and cry. . All of this is getting us talking about what we are going to do next. Do we risk covid and let Ocean have to socialization he so desperately needs and wants or do we literally hide on our property until Christmas - if we’re lucky? We are talking about widening our circle to include our extended family for the sake of Oceans happiness and development. We just recently learned that Ocean is probably not mentally challenged (as a previous doctor told us) but that he is actually quite intelligent but lacks the desire to communicate. He’s needs are fully met at home - there’s is nothing of importance he wants to tell me so he just doesn’t talk. But he can talk. Enter another child. You have excitement. You have the desire to engage. You have the need to be seen and heard. Our recent evaluation concluded that with the right stimulate Ocean would have the desire to talk. I need to give him that opportunity. . Oceans sleeping off his pain in the other room while I smoke off mine. I’d love to hear your thoughts (non-political thoughts please) on how you feel about the dangers of covid19 right now - especially if you or someone you love is high risk. Where are you at with your quarantine? Back to normal or still playing it safe? Tell me below and send ice cream. 🍦 🍨