Mental Health and insurance shenanigans – I spent two days last week, with another full day the week before, trying to get an appointment(s) set for Thomas for 3 different issues. 1) Mental/Emotional Health 2) IQ Test (to apply for a local school) and 3) Autism Screening.
It would be helpful if all of these could be done with the same person (psychologist), and/or the same time. Unfortunately not. First, finding someone who takes Thomas’s insurance. The IQ test is not covered unless it’s done with the autism screening. The IQ test needs to be done by end of February. Those who take his insurance for autism screening are scheduled out 6 months to TWO YEARS! Quotes for IQ test: $525 – $650.
I probably sent about 20 emails and placed a handful or two of phone calls. Lots of responses of not taking the insurance, and then if they do, they are booked way into the future, or they don’t see his age group. I got on a waiting list for a mental/emotional health appointment that’s only 2 months out. Waiting for a call back to set an appointment for August for the autism screening. Waiting for an email response to set an appointment for the IQ testing for this month. Each. One. With. A. Different. Person.
Fortunately, I’ve had about 19 years of experience advocating for Lillian, and I’m grateful that we do have access and options. I’m up for it, and I can handle it. Honestly, I think I’m kinda weird in that when I keep hitting dead ends, it fires me up even more, and I WILL find a solution. I be like, don’t get in my way now. I’m doing this! Hahahaha!
I just feel sad for people who can’t figure this maze of sh** out, or who have no one to advocate for them, or who need mental/emotional health help ASAP, but aren’t in a state of crisis! (A photo of something beautiful to balance this post … HA!)
February 2021 Update – I put Thomas on two waiting lists that were about 2 months long. We should be just about there with the wait. We decided not to apply to the school so we didn’t need the IQ test right away, so we’re set for August for the autism screening with IQ test. Whew!
November 15 2021 Update – Thomas has been seeing a therapist since March 2021, and it has been incredibly helpful. He had the autism screening and IQ Test in August. He was diagnosed with Level 1 Autism, depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Now we are moving forward with solid diagnoses and get can targeted therapies and coaching. What a whirlwind!
Super soothing, this beautiful book of poetry really spoke to me and it was an utter joy to dip into it over several nights. So many themes are explored – from nature to healing to family to love to change to acceptance. The author’s words are like honey; uplifting, blissful and popping with Eureka moments! – Isabella May
You can learn more about Words of Alchemy by going here …
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
Tonight we celebrate (with sparkling pink lemonade)! After 8 years, a chapter of our lives full of struggle and worry has come to an end. That’s one damn long chapter!
Hallelujah, Wahooooo, YES!! WooooHoooo ….
And, I’m Still Standing …
I pray to never relive that chapter!!!
Check out that cloud from a couple of hours ago.
**November 15 2021 Update** – I remember this like it was yesterday! This was the day I received my first payment as being Lillian’s Shared Living Provider. The first step in crawling out of survival mode. I remain incredibly grateful and blessed that this is available to us.
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
I don’t know that I have a true phobia. There are things I do not like, but will handle, if need be: Heights, Claustrophobia, and I do not like tightly packed crowds of people at events. I used to have a phobia of bees, but have somewhat brought that down to manageable. I was stung way too many times as a child, one time directly on my lip! Ouch! We tolerate one another now. 😂
I do NOT like crowded places. Which is why when my kids were younger, we switched to doing our fun things and shopping during the week, rather than the weekend. I didn’t mean for it to rub off, but neither of my kids like crowds either. It’s too much sensory input. 😂
Been exploring this all afternoon. Mainly for Thomas. I’ll explore mine and Lillian’s after I’m finished with his. Deeply interesting, and fun! If you’re familiar with Human Design, what’s yours?
Thomas: Projector with a 4/6 profile and Spleen Authority.
Lillian: Manifesting Generator with a 6/2 profile and Emotions Authority.
Camilla: Generator with a 2/5 profile and Emotions Authority.
If you’re familiar with Human Design, and familiar with us, what do you think? Sound like us?
I spent almost 2 days putting together a report for Thomas, with all of his information. Whew!
I’m looking forward to my role as 18p- coordinator. My name is Camilla Downs (pronounced like Pamela, but with a “C”), and I’m mom to 20 year old Lillian Darnell and 16 year old Thomas Darnell.
Lillian has 18p-, being diagnosed when she was 3 years old after the pediatrician suggested genetic testing, due to Lillian being behind in more than three areas of development. The pediatrician called me as soon as she got the results, letting me know over the phone, rather than postponing until we could get in to see her. After pulling myself together, I found the Chromosome 18 Registry that night while searching online. This was before facebook, and social media groups, and I joined The Registry shortly thereafter. I spent time observing the conversations in the Yahoo listserv before jumping in, introducing myself, and asking questions.
The main ways 18p- has manifested throughout the years for Lillian are speech difficulties, chronic stomach pain, proprioceptive issues, balance and depth perception, difficulties with executive functioning skills, and inability to process emotions. In hindsight, I can see she exhibits many symptoms of autism. That is currently being addressed. In the past she has done speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Currently, she receives craniosacral therapy, and just began seeing a therapist to begin work on her phobias. All of these issues are still with her.
I divorced in 2007, moving to Reno, Nevada from Tacoma, Washington. (Hey single parents out there. I see YOU!!) We’ve attended the yearly Chromosome 18 Conference since 2009, when it was in Las Vegas. It was so close, within driving distance, I just had to go check it out (Vegas is an 8 hour drive south of Reno). I was hooked, and we haven’t missed a conference since then.
The Registry has been deeply meaningful to us, by way of education, resources, research, and friendships with others who help us to know we are not alone. Thomas participates in the sibling track, and sibling events in between conferences. He also attends our local Sibshops events, and is in training to become a Sibshop Leader. Lillian’s closest and dearest friends are her 18p- friends, met at conference. They stay connected throughout the year via social media, texting and video chats.
(Thomas July 2021)
In honesty, Thomas and Lillian have a strained relationship. Thomas discusses this with his therapist, among other topics, and Lillian has been discussing it with her therapist. I am hopeful that with time and understanding they can move through this current phase.
I was a paralegal for ten years before Lillian was born, ending my career as a paralegal in the Civil Division of the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office in Tacoma, Washington in 2001. After that, my husband and I co-owned a construction company.
After divorcing in 2007, and moving to Reno, I taught myself everything to know about blogs, blogging, and social media. I became a Social Media consultant to local businesses, teaching a couple of times at UNR’s Extended Studies. After tiring of doing this, I became certified as a Coach to assist special needs families, and published my first book, D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance. In addition, I became certified as a Reiki Master.
I then moved on to substitute teaching at my kids Montessori school for 3 years. When they both moved to homeschooling, I shifted to becoming my community’s go to pet sitter, and dog walker. We moved from that community in late 2019, and in February 2020 I officially became a Shared Living Provider/Host Home Provider for Lillian (meaning that I get paid). I also manage and facilitate a venue that interviews authors around the globe, MeetingtheAuthors.com.
(All Team TLC Books to date)
Lillian’s book, Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories, was published in 2018. Thomas’s book, Biggest Little Photographer, was published in 2016. And, my latest book, Words of Alchemy, was published in 2019. Lillian also has an etsy shop with her artwork for sale – https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilliansImaginarium.
(Lillian when she received her proof book 2018)
Lillian graduated in June 2018. Thomas is in between what is traditionally the 10th and 11th grade. These days I spend a great deal of time advocating for the two of them, putting great amounts of time into researching and educating myself. Thomas has just recently been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and autism. Lillian is due to be tested for autism in January 2022, which I am pursuing so that she can have access to certain therapies.
(Lillian high school graduation May 2019)
Please reach out to me any time. I’m ready to do what I can.
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 15 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
This would have been some time in 2015 or 2016. Not sure of the exact date.
(Photo from Pexels)
Since July I have been making it a point to set “coffee dates” with people I already know and have a friendship with and people I know only from facebook who share a similar path.
This is what I have to say about that and how meaningful I think it is for everyone.
Those times when you’re spending time with those who you feel completely and utterly yourself with, talking about things that are meaningful to all of you, with those who get you.
Those times when two and a half hours feels like 30 minutes. Those times when you are saying goodbye all the way out the door and to their cars as they leave …
I got to have one of those afternoons and it blessed my heart and soul. Thank you Melinda Bourke Blackwell and Barbara Richmond Chastain. Our time together today was inspiring and we overflow with gratitude for your support of Thomas and his upcoming book. xoxo
**November 2021 Update** I miss those times. The pandemic put a hold on coffee and lunch chats. I will cherish it when we resume these wonderful blessings!
What about you? Do you know that feeling I’m talking about?
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 15 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
I’m a member of an author/book reader facebook group, and the admins ask great questions. I decided to turn some of the questions into a “get to know me” series. I would also love to hear your answers to the questions posed in the series. Thanks Helen for asking such fun questions!
What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
A hug from my son, when either of my kids is happy and joyful, sunshine, a walk, music, birdsong, cute animal videos, receiving a wonderful review or feedback for any of our books.
What about you?
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 15 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
Today was the Lillian and Camilla January 2021 Date Day
We had fries from Noble Pie Parlor or lunch. Their fries are THE BEST!! Plus, they have a vegan option!! Forgot to take a photo of the fries! We ate them too fast!
Later we drove to pick out a dessert. Vanilla macaroon for Lillian and blueberry scone for me. The scone is incredibly delicious.
We ended with a stop at the library. Even though it’s still closed, Lillian wanted to spend a few minutes in the garden behind it. We’ve frequented that little garden since she was 5 years old. It was bitterly cold as we’ve got warnings of a blizzard approaching, so we didn’t stay long.
To see the original post, and more photos, go here …
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 15 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
