[blindkid] made my day

[Cynthia Davis]

Hi there, NFB friends,

Today I learned that my son's therapist had reported me to Social Services because I "allowed by legally blind son (a 9th-grader) to take his medication by himself. "   Yes, you heard me.  The incident occurred yesterday morning.

My son took his medications out of the pillbox by himself.  The pillbox is well-labeled; each of the 14 compartments indicates in both large print and Braille which day the pills are for and whether they are for the a.m. or p.m.  Usually I give them to him and he checks them, but he was really grumpy this particular morning, so he did it himself.  We have never had a problem with this.

However, at school he became very sleepy and announced to the assistant principal, on whose floor he fell asleep, that he thought he had given himself his nighttime meds instead of the morning ones.  This meant he had some medications that made him very groggy.  I was called and immediately called his doctor and left a message while I drove to the school to pick him up.  When I arrived, the vice-principal kindly suggested that "I know you want him to be independent, but maybe he shouldn't be taking his own medications."  I added that we usually check them together, but....we didn't this time.  Anyway, the school seemed okay with our error, as he was able to walk downstairs and out of the school unassisted.  We then went to his scheduled therapy appointment.  The therapist called Social Services later that day, at the suggestion of her supervisor.  She made it clear that the report was necessary because "he is legally blind."

My son is furious.  Ready to sue.  Mad as hell.  "Mom, you are the best mom a kid could have in this world ( Did my kid really say that?!).  It is MY FAULT (Did my kid really say that?!) I took the wrong pills 'cause I was angry at you and didn't pay attention!  They are discriminating against me because I am blind!  They are against the law!  I can read a pillbox as well as any other kid!"  

Clearly I don't deserve Mother of the Year for somehow allowing this to happen, but I do agree with him that the issue here is whether he should-or-should-not be getting his own medications out of the pillbox compartment by himself regardless of the fact that he is legally blind.  His doctor has volunteered to talk with the authorities if necessary, although she did make sure I understood "how to safely administer medication."  She didn't mention the blind part.  

Thanks for listening,
Cynthia Davis
Littleton, CO