Thank You to our “Graycare” Team

Fall is always a rough time of year for me emotionally and mentally. I know it, I prepare for it, gear up for it and let the chips fall where they may.

This year fall has been exceptionally challenging because my son started kindergarten in a new school.

His autism and anxiety demand routine. To say this transition has been hard is an understatement.

Not to mention that only 6 weeks into the school year his new school has asked us to find a different placement for him (that’s a story for a future post).

After my fall fog subsides, I’m able to self reflect. This year I realized how much I miss his old school and wonderful teachers. 

He attended the same special needs preschool for 3K and Pre-K. I went in scared and anxious but over time they changed his life and mine.

Every teacher and therapist (even those that didn’t work directly with him) were always so warm and welcoming to him.

We’d enter the building and make our way to his classroom and there would be “Hi Grayson!, Gimme a hi-five buddy, Go Gray-Gray” always accompanied with a warm smile for me.

I loved that they all loved him.

During his first year the teachers used a notebook to communicate with us daily. It was what I most looked forward to.

Walking in my house after work, putting down the mail, giving everyone kisses and then reading the note book.

The messages communicated about his day and there were comments, jokes and words of encouragement sent specifically for me.

Four teachers with 4 different handwritings and they never signed their name but I knew who was who and we all had our own shared bond over writing.

My bond with them extended to him and he excelled significantly. It was amazing to watch.

During his second year they moved him to another classroom.

While I was initially disappointed, I knew we would be in good hands and I trusted their judgment to transition him to break up the routine.

The new teacher didn’t use a communication book but instead sent a weekly e-mail with photos. 

However, I still bonded with the 4 teachers and came to fall in love with them all too. 

The photos illustrated equally how difficult could be in the classroom and how much they loved and cared for him.

The school was just a great place! 

It was a part of the curriculum for the teachers to visit students in their home to see their surroundings and connect more intimately with the family. 

Fundraising included bidding for playdates where the teachers picked up the kids from their home, took them out for a playdate, fed them and brought them back home.

That is a priceless gift and we were happy to be the highest bidders to secure their personal time to spend with our sweet boy. 

The truth is, this fall I missed them all so much (probably more than my son did) and it took a toll on me.  They are amazing people that made a huge difference in his life.

We literally saw him come alive during his time with them.  He started talking more, following simple directions and was excited about going to school.

To our exceptional “Graycare” team…

Thank you for loving him, caring for him, supporting him, challenging him, and at times even crying with him (and me).

Thank you for setting the teaching bar high for us and showing us that you can be a professional and set boundaries  while still deeply loving and connecting with a child and their family.

Thank you for keeping in touch via text and social media. Thank you for coming to visit and babysit. 

Our lives are not the same without your everyday presence. Please know how much you are valued, treasured, appreciated and missed.

To all the teachers and therapists that go to work every day to serve our beautiful children…

THANK YOU!

Written by, Jeanine Gordon

Jeanine Gordon is an oncology nurse that lives in New York City.  Her and her wife Ruthy have a 5 year son with autism named Grayson and a 19 year old son in college named Nicolas.  She is extremely grateful for the various members of the Graycare team    which includes devoted family, friends, teachers, paras, home and school therapists, babysitters, and nurse colleagues, who support her and her family during this journey.

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.