Chip's Blog

For those of you who have blogged here for a while, you will remember my wife and my son Greg.  He has been the grist of blogs and blog responses, both because of our unmitigated pride in him, and in his accomplishments, and because his accomplishments have come with some degree of difficulty.  You see, Greg has "special needs".  Greg has ADHD.  In the fourth grade, Greg couldn't read at all.  He was tested and retested.  We were told all sorts of things.  I suspected ADHD, but worked with/went with the school folks.  He worked his little butt off.  He had a horrible time in grade school, and a worse time in Middle School.  Sure he passed.  Really passed.  But it was pure torture for him.  I remember one particualr afternoon when he was banging his head on the dining room table crying, saying, "I'm stupid!"

Oh, and didn't we, as parents, have a horrible time with the teaching staff.  This is where my antipathy for the Teachers Union was spawned.  The union stepped in and squashed daily communication via phone or email with us, becuase it was not in the contract, and couldn't be mandated.

Well....that's the sad part.  For those of you who remember, he left the middle school, and went to the regional voc/tech school.  He had begun treatment for ADHD, and with the enthusiastic teachers, and Greg's willingness to work, he steadily improved.  Remember my stand in favor of MCAS?  Know why?  Greg taught me that is was a tool that a kid could use to validate his own success.  He passed it first time through.  Sure the school helped him.  He went to a "Summer MCAS Camp" they held free of charge.  And yes, it was actually FUN!!!  He volunteered for the second sessions....

And, yes, he made the honor roll...his mother cried.  I have been so proud of him, not because of the successes, but because he has had to work so much harder for them than I ever did.  In so many ways, he is a better man than I am, with my degrees, because it came easy to me.  He worked.

This fall, he went to a "college fair" at his school.  He brought home materials but was unconvinced.  "I just don't want to do it anymore, Dad."  "Son, leave your options open.  I know how hard you've worked, and how alot of school stuff has been unpleasant, but college might be different.  Remember, they have programs where you do mostly stuff you're interested in, not what they make you learn."

A few days later...."Hey Mom, hey Dad, Quinsigamond Community College has a "Basic Engineering Program".  How much do you think that would cost?"  Answer in unison: "Nothing you'd have to pay.  If you go to college, and keep up good grades, it's on us!"

A few days later, "Hey Dad, can you help me with this application.  I'm afraid I'm gonna mess it up."  "Sure, you do it and I'll stay right here if you have questions."  25 worried questions later...."Can one of you mail this for me?"

Two weeks later, letter in the mail.  "Please forward your high school transcript."  "Greg, have your guidance counselor fax it today."   Done.

In this morning's mail:  "Dear Gregory:  Congratulations!  It is my honor to accept you into the Basic Engineering Program...."

High fives, bear hugs, and more parental tears than I shed at a funeral....His mother and I are so proud!  And I have been humbled by a 17 year old.  I'm so damned proud of him.....he's really a better man than I am....

Thank you Santa, for the greatest present of all....children with character.  We are just so Blessed....