My First Mate!

Our Ship is A Float! or maybe it's more like "ThaRR She Blows!!!!"

Had the first, of many, meeting with Paul's new case manager. As she said she would, we met via phone. Mom was not able to make it on the call nor was Paul's wrap around services coordinator, however, it was simply great to be able to visit one on one and feel each other out.

It has taken over a decade to finally get a Case Manager as competent and Pro-Active as Laura (one of the very first case managers and nurses that worked with Paul and the family from the beginning). Cris reminds me an awful lot of Laura. This is good. . . very good.

I haven't a clue who the captain here is but it doesn't matter as I feel this is a real team player with the best interest of doing her job and working with the family in order to make sure Paul is taken care of and remains independent and able to live the life he desires.

It has been a long, long, long time since I felt I could actually trust Paul's Case management team. Don't mistake me he has always had a team that did what they felt was best for Paul, however, they haven't always been as open and forthcoming with the family on matters that they needed to be. This caused a few problems over the years.

There were days even months that I used Charlie Brown's famous "Good Grief" as I tried to get communications flowing and actions moving where Paul needed them to go with every "involved" party.

I have learned that working with these entities and negotiating the rough patches was all about building trust and communication. Honesty was pivotal and integrity in actions and follow through a necessity from everyone. Family led the way and honestly the role we play is a small part, we are the captain or the director however his services were the oarsmen and first mates and wheel hands and sail keepers and lookouts.

I am very happy that all is working as it needs and we will always negotiate the rough patches. No other way. Cris is my partner, the family's partner just as are his wrap around service people. We are all on the same boat. Hopefully, I won't go chasing "Moby Dick" as Ahab did. Being swallowed by a gigantic white whale is NOT my idea of fun. (wink wink)