Jacob Jacob Jacob

Jacobs behavior has been a little strange. Weds he went to an event at the library on native Americans with a friend. Thurs he went to a dance with the group. Friday he claims he didn't go to work, he watched a movie, he called after he had his blood drawn, which he HATES, and he called again around 930. The calls were freaking me out, like there was something odd going on. Saturday we picked him up, took him with us to visit a friend, had a nice steak dinner, picked up another friend, went to target, all the while offering to go to a bonfire and then spend the night with us. He repeatedly refused. When we got back to the home, he immediately reported that he had missed dinner, and wanted to know if they had saved his. Upon learning they had not, incredulous, he asked for a snack. He ate a ton of food for dinner, and had a snack that he got at target... Piggy Boy!!! He called later on to see if I would bring him his leftover steak. I inquired whether he was allowed to have leftovers or food brought from home, and he insisted it was ok. Today, I went to visit and take him a few things to personalize his room, he was sound asleep. I was told he had been asleep for about 1.5 hours, and he continued to sleep through my rummagings for another half hour. Upon awakening, he said hi, and immediately left the room. I dragged him back and had him give me input on where he wanted his stuff hung (stuff that he had repeatedly asked for in the previous week) and I had to keep going to get him to hang out with me. Soon, it was time for dinner, and he ditched me completely. I told him I was just going to leave, and I told the house staff I'd probably be back. But I'm debating NOT going back. I have no idea what to make of all of this. I have no idea whether to take any of it as good, or bad. I have no realm of comprehension why he acts like he doesn't want anything to do with us, and doesn't hang out when people are, or at least I am, there. I know he is very routine oriented, and that's probably all this is, in which case I need to learn to not take things personally. Argh!

Ok so far

Via phone call this evening, he seemed to be doing well. My love and a friend visited shortly after that, he appeared well, had taken over the tv in the living room with one of his movies... THAT'S my boy!!!!

It happened very quickly!!!

Jacob moved today!! Saturday we were informed that Jacob was all set to move in, and how about Monday?? Well, I got the day off, and he's IN!!! I'm a little apprehensive as I usually get to know people a little better before I just hand off Jacob to their care, but be assured, we will be there often... And the first sign of trouble, we're pulling him out. Tomorrow, he goes to work, and he's very excited and proud about this. He's going to work "like YOU, Deborah!!" More power to him!! Xoxo

It's happening, slowly

Jacob may be moving into a group home. It is the only "service" the state of Illinois can provide at this time. It is very close to us, we can visit, or he can leave at any time. He will be working every day Monday-Friday, unless there is a holiday. This is a huge leap in comparison to what he is doing now..... NOTHING. He is excited. We were under the impression that he would eventually be happiest in a group home. We just didn't think it would be so soon. He had dinner there last Monday to meet everyone. All his paperwork is in. He is going tomorrow for an overnight stay(24hours), and will go to work on Thursday. As long as that goes well, and I can't imagine it won't, all we have to do is wait on the state to process the paperwork. Unfortunately, the current time frame is "by Christmas" but I am trying to get a more narrowed down answer.

The home is the only one owned by this particular company, many other companies in IL have multiple homes. We like that this is the "one and only". The director has web there for 15 years, and 3 of the residents have been living there since it opened in 1992. These appear to be good signs. He will have a "goal program" similar to IEPs in high school. This will prevent Jacob from manipulating his new surroundings into letting him be lazy and therefore lose skills. We will see how this goes!!! Fingers crossed!!!