I just got an email from Marcus's clinician telling me that they have "discovered a hidden talent" in him. Evidently, he's been visiting another teacher's room to talk with her and she discovered his amazing reading ability and his vast reading interests. So, when he's appropriate, he goes into her room to read to the students. Wow. I find this really cool and heartening. Now that's the Marcus I see in there!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Sliding downhill
Seems like we've been going backwards lately. Marcus got arrested the day after he turned sixteen. In New York State, that means he goes to adult jail and adult criminal court. He was in one of his usual tussles with staff during a tantrum and kicked a staff member. That staff member pressed charges. Marcus spent the night in adult lock up and had a court hearing the next day in front of Judge Yacknin. I can't even describe my feelings. I was panicked and stoic at the same time. No crying, just racing heartbeat. I worried all night.
The next day at court was horrible. Not because the result was bad (a postponement while I got a lawyer; they let Marcus out), but because of the whole process. As much as I hate to say it, we were with a parade of troubling humanity - rapists, harassers, drunk drivers... and there was my son. Despite being 6'8 now, he's just a boy, a young boy at that. When he saw me in the room, I actually thought he was going to smile and wave like I was an audience member at a school performance. I quickly gestured for him to be quiet.
In the end, after several court dates (equally horrible) and thousands of dollars, he received what is called an ACD (adjournment in contemplation of dismissal). What it means is that he had six months to behave after which the case will go away and his record expunged. Six months is a VERY long time for Marcus. He's gone as long as two months without an episode, but six months?! All I can really do is hope and pray. And continue our weekly plan for weekend visits. If he doesn't get into a restraint, he comes home Friday to Sunday. He can come home every Sunday no matter what. So far this plan seems to support him getting through a week.
Since the resolution, he's had a good two weeks, although he did hit a staff member in the back. He claims the staff member grabbed his book and called him a "bitch". Says he reported it but nothing happened. We've devised a plan for him to document any times he feels abused by staff so that we can see whether there is a pattern. I'm not sure whether there is, but after the staff pressed charges I wonder.
I wonder why someone who is paid to work with this population would consider pressing charges? I was especially concerned when Marcus said the man told him, "ha, now you're going to jail." What?! So now we're documenting, which I hope stops Marcus from acting out if someone does say something untoward.
So there you have it...why I haven't posted too much recently.
The next day at court was horrible. Not because the result was bad (a postponement while I got a lawyer; they let Marcus out), but because of the whole process. As much as I hate to say it, we were with a parade of troubling humanity - rapists, harassers, drunk drivers... and there was my son. Despite being 6'8 now, he's just a boy, a young boy at that. When he saw me in the room, I actually thought he was going to smile and wave like I was an audience member at a school performance. I quickly gestured for him to be quiet.
In the end, after several court dates (equally horrible) and thousands of dollars, he received what is called an ACD (adjournment in contemplation of dismissal). What it means is that he had six months to behave after which the case will go away and his record expunged. Six months is a VERY long time for Marcus. He's gone as long as two months without an episode, but six months?! All I can really do is hope and pray. And continue our weekly plan for weekend visits. If he doesn't get into a restraint, he comes home Friday to Sunday. He can come home every Sunday no matter what. So far this plan seems to support him getting through a week.
Since the resolution, he's had a good two weeks, although he did hit a staff member in the back. He claims the staff member grabbed his book and called him a "bitch". Says he reported it but nothing happened. We've devised a plan for him to document any times he feels abused by staff so that we can see whether there is a pattern. I'm not sure whether there is, but after the staff pressed charges I wonder.
I wonder why someone who is paid to work with this population would consider pressing charges? I was especially concerned when Marcus said the man told him, "ha, now you're going to jail." What?! So now we're documenting, which I hope stops Marcus from acting out if someone does say something untoward.
So there you have it...why I haven't posted too much recently.
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