Whose in charge? ME!

      Raising a baby with special needs requires a team. This team for Mason includes a pediatrician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, developmental therapist,care taker,home nurse, pediatric cardiologist, pulmonary doctor,otolaryngologist, sleep doctor, and now a supplier for Masons oxygen. Its safe to say its overwhelming. If things aren't going right it is beyond stressful. Everyday I'm either on the phone, doing therapy, at the clinic, returning emails or working with Mason. On top of raising a 6 year old making sure he doesn't feel left out or put on the back burner. Also being a wife in this crazy army world.
      My focus is to have a team for Mason who believes in him, can push him to his full potential, have positive attitudes, and have compassion in their field. So far I have been blessed with great doctors and therapists who educate me and are Amazing with Mason.
     I was given this team but at any time I am free to cancel them. I am the one in charge. For the past couple months Masons developmental specialist has been coming over. She is the nicest person HOWEVER she has said somethings in the past few weeks I don't agree with, and her choice of words are offensive to Mason and to any other babies with Downs. I was giving her the benefit of the doubt and kept her on our team. Yesterday was her last chance. I had a sit down with her I asked her what her job was, and what she has to offer Mason that the other therapist don't. She told me she was there to visit, to answer any questions I may have and be more of a support for me and check on Mason.
      Throughout our conversation she was telling me how she has a daughter with special needs and a grand kid with special needs her daughter wore leg braces, and her grandbaby has autism. She said "I know exactly how you feel" That's all fine and dandy but unless she is going through the EXACT same things as I am with Mason I will disagree. I'm not saying what she goes through or has went through isn't stressful or a journey of its own. but I am saying not all special needs are the same or require the same attention.There are easier things to deal with then Down syndrome and there are much much more severe things to deal with then down syndrome. I'm not complaining about my situation but every situation is different.
      She told me she has been working in this field most of her life. As she carried on about some kids she has worked with in the past she said "I have seen some kids with Downs who don't have any muscle tone and are blobs" Okay that was it for me! Blobs? Your outta here lady!
      With Down syndrome there is a wide spectrum of high functioning or low functioning. Some may have really low muscle tone and not able to do much. But for this lady who is specializing with kids who have downs and to have no compassion in her words or common sense that she is talking to a mom with a baby who has downs was very disappointing. I learned about her marriage, (first and second) learned about her kids, her life, her experience, we rarely talked about Mason.
      I called Masons home nurse who has become part of our family very quickly and talked to her about Masons developmental therapist. I told her I am overwhelmed right now, I don't think she has anything to offer Mason that he doesn't already get, I told her I don't agree with things she said, and I could be doing alot of other things in an hour period instead of hearing her life story. No offense to her but I only want people who have Mason on their priority list. She couldn't agree more. She said I'm in charge I decide who is around Mason and whats best for Mason.
     THAT'S RIGHT I'M THE BOSS!!! haha. I called Masons caretaker (who is in charge of Masons team)  let her know how I was feeling towards the developmental specialist, and that I wanted to cancel her service. I also let her know the things that she has said and how they came across offensive. She told me she understands where I am coming from, she will cancel her service and also talk to her supervisor about her choice of words.
      I don't want to step on toes, or hurt feelings I only want whats best for Mason. I will be the judge of who is in my home not only around Mason but a 6 year old who picks up on everything (who was in the room when this was said) The End. :)