A Break From Boating

We took a scheduled break from boating last week. 

I flew home to California to visit family (most importantly, my sister Kim) and to fulfill my duties as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Commissioner for the state EMS Authority. In a nutshell, the Commission reviews and approves regulations, standards and guidelines related to EMS scope of practice, and makes recommendations related to all components of the EMS system. It’s a volunteer role, one for which I’m particularly well suited, however my three-year term ends in December and based on our current itinerary, I don’t plan to extend. (As with many political appointments or positions, there is a two-term limit. When I was recruited for this position I thought I’d be working until at least 2020, but Captain Pete had a pretty convincing argument for early retirement.) 

There are moments that I feel as if my time with Kim is borrowed. According to NADS, the average life span for an individual with Down Syndrome is 60 years. (Kim is 62.) Kim shows minimal signs of slowing down. Only recently has she been diagnosed with some mild cardiac issues that are mitigated with low doses of Lisinopril and Metoprolol. I’ve been involved in her medical care for about a decade, well before the passing of our mother (and the sharing of her conservatorship). Truth be told, her emotional care and support is every bit as important to me. Thanks to the amazing staff and caregivers at Hanot Foundation Home for the Developmentally Disabled, Kim has been loved and nurtured through life’s ups and downs since 1986! (That’s 32 years with our wonderful extended family!) She is known to be the resident “Queen Bee,” partially due to her tenure but mostly due to her fun character and sometimes prickly attitude. She has earned her “retirement” from Day Program and yet she still makes herself useful helping with routine tasks around her home.

Kim has taught me, and continues to teach me, about special needs, inclusion, accommodation, human dignity, alternate language (Kim is aphasic), body language, patience, the importance of structure and flexibility, and above all, love. I cherish my time with Kim.  Our visit was filled with serial moments of bonding, sisterhood, girl-time, laughter, hugging, and promises of what we will do during our next visit. This time we hit the county fair, the nail salon for a pedicure, an afternoon of DIY hair-coloring, the Pepper Festival, and we enjoyed a visit with my daughter and granddaughter. No visit is complete without a stop at the local Humane Society Used Bookstore for a book and a CD. The week it was Patsy Cline. 

I am grateful for my other sister, Lisa, who has picked up the slack during my extended absences. There is no greater peace than knowing family will have your back. Lisa has truly enjoyed her time with Kim and offers her different activities and opportunities than I have. Kim loves Lisa’s dog, “Roscoe,” and helping Lisa in her shop at her Mud Springs Trading Post.  

Pete stayed back east and did some boat maintenance (He fixed our windlass, that motorized winch thing that pulls up our anchor) and he explored some more east coast territory, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. He tried his luck at fly fishing in some of the most beautiful back country streams, until a mishap with his fly rod ended his angling. He also attended a graduation ceremony for another niece, Abigail Treacy. Abby is his sister Helen’s second daughter, and she stole Pete’s heart with a hand-written, two-page letter nearly a decade ago. This event coincided with Grace Treacy’s birthday. The festivities lasted late into the night!

Did I mention my daughter and granddaughter? If ever there was a poster child for resilience, Amy would be a contender. I am so proud of her and very blessed with an intelligent and beautiful granddaughter, Azalyah. Amy is following in her mother’s footsteps with a nursing career. She is a compassionate caregiver to some physically handicapped young adults and she moonlights at a county correctional facility meeting the needs of a very diverse patient population. She has had some unique patient/client experiences! 

My week home is coming to an end. Next stop, CANADA! Stick with us!