So an interesting situation as occurred over the past week while I was on Vacation in South Carolina.
We've been trying to get our son into a Special Needs pre-school in order to help with his speech and physical delays...he's 2 1/2 right now but is not talking/walking/letting us know wants etc. We got the call last week. The place we got him into is called the Pearlman Center at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital, there are only 6 slots available...and we were lucky enough to get him in. So we are very very excited about that....
The bad news....the two days a week that I'm able to really do any sort of recording and focusing on practice etc is now gone....the days he goes to the school are the two days I practice and play :| I have to be at the school for the time he's there because of the nature of the school. It's a parent participation thing as well.
So yeah....great news for us in my son...bad news for the guitar playing...so I'm going to put some of my gear up for sale...recording gear, maybe a guitar....we'll see how things turn out. Sound kind of selfish, but the guitar was my only outlet for stress...time to find another outlet maybe?
In Space, no one can hear me sing!
Joe, I understand and empathize with you, though not as a parent with personal experience of my own, but as a parent anyhow, and a fellow human being.
You can maintain some of your guitar playing and recording, and you deserve an outlet for stress, but what it comes down to is 'family first'. In the same thought, you must look after yourself or you are of less assistance, presumably. I tried to put that politely. But if you do not take care of yourself, then you will have needs to be addressed too, by yourself and others. So, don't entirely put yourself at a loss.
I used to work with Special Needs children and their parents before an accident took me partially, then fully out of the work force. In a 10 year span however, I worked with 'special needs' kids. My own niece must be taken to a remedial learning center once or twice a week - it seems to be the same thing. We've been doing that for about 10 years, or since she started school.
It's something that you have to do, and is going to be wonderful for your son and your relationship or bond - we've seen the precious little fellow holding a guitar or uke haven't we? Carry on, be strong for him and look after yourselves for the family. :)
Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Yes you are correct, he was holding a Uke!
I'm trying to find some time to get what I need in...and it may be in very small doses, but I think I can keep on it.....I'm just hoping that all this time and money is going to pay off, there has been absolutely no diagnosis for him in the 2 years we've been seeing specialists. And with this center, they have resources even the therapists don't have so we can stop the therapies as well because he's getting his speech/physical/occupational therapies all at the center. So I'm hoping there will be some big strides in the next 6 months.
But I do know what you mean...you have to have something, or you will be useless because you aren't right in the head LOL.
Thanks man!
In Space, no one can hear me sing!
I have a friend who now lives in Ohio who's a special needs teacher in a high school. He's a longtime blues player, guitar and harp, who makes up everything as he goes and calls it "Spontobeat." He uses his music to connect with the kids, and has had some real success with that. A year or two ago one of his young lady students recorded some songs with him. Go on Soundclick.com and look for "Walter Tore." I'm sure he's got his contact info on there. You'll enjoy listening to his stuff, anyway! He might just inspire you not to put it away.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Joe, definitely those are great news my friend!
On the other hand, why do you wait some time before to put your gear for sale? You have to go to the school with your son now but perhaps the situation will change and you will return to guitars and recording activities. Also, perhaps you do not have those two days now but there are always moments that you can practice and play.
As you will remember I had a lot of hospital sessions these last 11 months. Fortunately everybody is fine now and I got back to the music but I played almost every week this time (some days just 10 minutes).
Only if you sell all you gear will be when you will not play/record anything.
Yeah - don't sell the kit Joe. That's very much a knee-jerk reaction. There's still School holidays to think about - over here the kids get 12 weeks holiday each year
And if you need another hobby, buy some pencils and a sketch book. I've always wanted to be able to draw but working full time in an Investment Bank with the guitar as a sideline meant there wasn't space for another hobby. Now I'm teaching full time and doing concerts I've found I don't go out of the house without my pencils and sketch book
A :-)
"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk
thanks guys! I'm not selling all my gear, that would be INSANE!!!
My Samson C02 are up for sale, and my Zoom R16 are up for sale, and I'm debating on my SX Natural Body Strat....but I don't know yet.
I know I'll have time to do play, but not nearly as much...which wasn't all that much to begin with right now, but we'll see how things go.
Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about this for Zach, I really think he will take off as they have 3 therapists in there for 2 hours with only 6 kids, plus a teacher, aid, and assistant, so he'll get the therapy and even the social interaction that I think he really needs, plus the resources there are incredible!!! It's going to bankrupt us LOL, but it'll be worth it!
In Space, no one can hear me sing!
Joe, as you know... I have a special needs son too. He is severely autistic... 5 years old.
He is currently in IBI (ABA) therapy, which is probably similar to what your son will be doing - at least in theory, if not practice. And... as far as my son goes... it absolutely works... he is a 100% different child that 1 year ago and I have no doubt in my mind that he would not have made the progress he has without it.
It is always hard to find time for me... but I manage. Whether it is a few hours less sleep (staying up after the family all goes to bed), trying to play in 15 minute spurts whenever I can - I always try to find *some* time.
My mother was in town for the long weekend... and I basically went 4 days without practicing guitar - my longest period of time in recent memory. My stress level went up dramatically during that time. I knew that playing guitar has become a therapeutic thing for me... I just didn't realize how much until this weekend.
Unless you are doing it for the money... don't sell anything... you will regret it. There *will* be time.
(Also... post the link to your stuff for sale, if you are going to go ahead with it)
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Cool, I'm glad that it does work, the school that he's going to is called the Pearlman Center and is in Cincinnati Childrens Hospital.
I'm not sure what challenges your son had early on, but right now we are dealing with not talking/telling us what he wants, and not walking....he can scoot like a monkey faster than I can run it seems LOL. But the biggest issue is the communication...there is just nothing there except for screaming when we take him inside...he hates that...could be a tornado coming down the street and raining buckets...it won't matter :lol:
We are taking him to see a Cerebral Palsy specialist in the next couple weeks to see if he has a mild case of that, that was recommended by someone in the Pearlman Center because of his low lower body muscle tone and the way he holds his left arm up when he's holding on to someones hand to walk. (he can do that at least).
In Space, no one can hear me sing!
I have a friend who now lives in Ohio who's a special needs teacher in a high school. He's a longtime blues player, guitar and harp, who makes up everything as he goes and calls it "Spontobeat." He uses his music to connect with the kids, and has had some real success with that. A year or two ago one of his young lady students recorded some songs with him. Go on Soundclick.com and look for "Walter Tore." I'm sure he's got his contact info on there. You'll enjoy listening to his stuff, anyway! He might just inspire you not to put it away.
I haven't been over at Big Road Blues in a very long time but Walter is a good guy and a heck of a musician!
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
He sure is!
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
I am similarly experienced in your situation, Joe, with my grandson.
He was a full time "project" but only for a while. After your sons responds and everyone has a better understanding of your future situation, you can modify your own situation to fit in what you need to.
We musicians are the most flexible creatures around.
Good luck and I know things will be brighter soon.
P.S. Glad to hear you aren't selling ALL your gear.
Bish
"I play live as playing dead is harder than it sounds!"
Well, looks like my stuff is staying around (although I did sell my amp and hollow-body, they were colleting dust and I wanted a travel guitar).
We pulled him out of the special education pre-school. He was too advanced!! :shock: Made me very happy and sad at the same time.
Happy because he wasn't liking it and he was bored....sad because the teachers didn't really seem to pick up on that. he was the only one in that class that was mobile, had any sort of independent though, and made noises other than grunts.
So we decided that individual therapy is the best route, and after going back we were right...he had such a good session after that it was a sigh of relief that we did in fact make the right decision. We had alot of doctors questioning it.
So woo! More time for the guitar, more time for Zach in therapy, and more sanity for everyone!!! :lol: :lol:
In Space, no one can hear me sing!
Man, Joe, that is great news. Brings a victory tear to the eyes. :D
Bish
"I play live as playing dead is harder than it sounds!"
Joe, I'm so happy to hear that. It just means that there are better things in the future for your son. The bonus is you're not losing the time you need for yourself. THAT'S GREAT!
Only good things for you!
Teamwork- A few harmless flakes working together can unleash an avalanche of destruction.
