A Day in the Life

  Photo: Ollie

The title says it all: Embarrassed Often, Ashamed Never. I had one of those moments this morning. One of those moments or several where I'm sure my face, neck and chest reddened. And then I laughed. Chortled. Snorted. And as cliche as it may be, that's part of living with the enigmatic disorder of autism: Sometimes...Ya Just Gotta Laugh.

This morning was one of those moments. It was also a morning of proud accomplishments. Milestones, even. We went to the dentist. We like our dentist. He's pediatric by specialty, with an emphasis on special needs clients. This man talks like Mr. Rogers. Grace loves him. I like him, too, although I wish he'd switch voices when he talked to me as an adult. Small price to pay for the man who has seen us through general surgery three times to fill cavities. And, who, twice a year, wrote prescriptions for Diazepam in order to sedate my daughter so that she would not wig out while having her teeth cleaned.

We skipped the prescription this time. Doctor's orders. I agreed. The time had come. And when it they called Grace into his office, I nudged her and she headed for the door. Me, slow as ever, had to put down my laptop, my reading glasses, and whatever else I'd habitually drug from home.  And then, by that time, Grace had charged through the door and was headed for the chair. As I reached the threshold, the door was on its way to shutting in my face. Why does she need me? I questioned aloud, my hand having stopped the door and pushing it open enough to get the dental assistant's attention.  The assistant agreed with my assessment. She didn't need me. We'd let Grace try it on her own this time. It was the first time in eight years she didn't have to be medicated to visit the dentist, but she also went into his office without me as an appendage.

I was proud. The Dentist was proud. Grace was proud. Once I was called back to hear the results of his findings ("no cavities") I stood in his clinic while he gave me the oral synopsis. That's when our little moment happened.

Grace's current obsession is strings. Or hairs. If there's a stray one to be pulled from a garment -- no matter to where it is attached or to whom it is attached, she goes for it. Lickety Split. And so, I'm standing, listening to the  dentist who, talking to me with his vocal Mr. Rogers persona, is giving me the report. Suddenly, I notice Grace's slender fingers posing to pick and she's quickly zooming in on the dentist's chest. Oh, no. Too late. It was one stray gray chest hair. Ouch! Corny though he may be, Dr. Rogers is funny. Reflexively he put his hand to his chest and laughed and retorted without missing a beat: "Careful! I don't have too many left. That one even has a name." 

Oh, God. Sometimes you just gotta laugh.

Snort. 

Comments

[Katia Craig]

LOL! Dr. Rogers has, indeed, a great sense of humor! Hmm, I'm happy for Grace. She managed to go through it without the medication. You're doctor must be very good. Grace has grown to trust him.

[Glenn Koehm]

Now that's one big achievement for Grace! I'm so happy for her. I'm pretty sure that by now, she has become more independent. Hurray for no cavities, too!

[las vegas pediatric dentist]

what a funny article..your right!LOL...

[Casdok]

Lol!! As you say - sometimes...Ya Just Gotta Laugh!!
Glad the dentist trip went so well.