a minute in the world of tics

Yesterday was rough in Drew's world.  All of a sudden he is developing new tics.  We aren't sure why.  When we first took him out of school the tics diminished.  We know tics come and go and there is no reason for it.  Drew has been complaining lately about having strange urges in his legs. He says he feels like he needs to pull his legs off.  We are not sure if now he feels safe and knows he can tic and no one will say anything.

We have noticed that many times during the day he is getting up from work or play and just standing in a corner.  He says it makes the pain go away for a few minutes.  He is becoming resistant to going out anywhere because he is worried he will have to do this and people won't understand.  The only place he likes to go is to our favorite breakfast place on Sunday AM.  They all know him there and he has his fave waitress, Dawnelle. She also watches Drew when we go out of town. She is a child therapist so she understands him very well.

I am insane

One thing about Drew is he can be impulsive.  It is part of the executive function issues that comes with Tourette's.  I have told by many parents who have been where we are, that it will pass.  His brain just has to catch up.  That is one of the many things the school did not understand  It is part of the neurological process of Tourette's.  It got very frustrating at times. We know some things are not "typical 5th grade behavior" but the are typical Tourette's behavior.

We want Drew to have all the experiences possible that all kids his age have. He has no desire to play sports but he wants to go to camp.  He will be going to 2 camps this summer.  The second one he goes to will be Boy Scout camp.

We know that Drew would do alright at camp but we also know that things could go south fast if he gets overly frustrated and there is no one who knows the ins and outs of Tourette's.

Scott can't take a week off  in July so I am going to Boy Scout camp as an adult leader.  Anyone who knows me from my child is now laughing their BUTT off.  I HATED scout camp.  It made me quit scouts when I was 11.  I couldn't wait to get away from that place and never go back. The heat, the humidity in Kansas in July, the bugs, the camp food.  YUCK on all counts!

 I HATED camping until we moved to California.  We started camping with our homeschool group.  We would go a couple times a summer for 3-5 days on the coast.  We would go up around Fr. Bragg or the Mendocino area. I loved falling asleep listening to the ocean crashing on the shore.  It was so relaxing and peaceful.

Somehow I don't think this is going to be as relaxing as camping on a beach watching the birds fly over head and the surfers  in the waves. I think it will be about 34 boys and 6 adults and no wine and cheese for a week.

I will survive, I will be better for it and Drew will have an experience of a lifetime.  Who knows I may enjoy it so much I will do it ever summer. Or maybe not.