Our wonderful aide

One of the most difficult things for us to get used to, was having a "stranger" in the house all the time. But as the days turn into weeks, turn into months, turn into years, this person is no longer a stranger. Nathan has been with Mike for 2 1/2 years and he is a Godsend. Because Nathan spends more time with Mike than I do, he can get Mike to do things I cannot do. They have such a special bond, it's heartwarming to see. It's always difficult though when one of our regular aides is away or sick. We then have to go back to having a stranger in our home caring for Mike. At times it feels like we cannot be ourselves and at these times, I feel for Courtney and Brandon. It's difficult enough being 13 and 15 and going through changes in your life and body, but doing so with a stranger in the house is even more unnerving.

We have been blessed with some wonderful aides and you could just tell that their heart is into the job they were called to do. Other times we have not been so lucky - an aide falling asleep on the living room couch (this was when Mike was still able to walk around) another aide who left Mike inside when she went outside to smoke, another who left for 1 hour to have lunch and yet another with fingernails at least 2 inches long!!! Because of these experiences, many family and friends suggest that I write a book, and who knows, maybe one day I will have the time to devote to that project. But for now, we are always praying that our regular aides don't get sick.