Outings with Kolya

A week ago today my friend, Beth, and I went to Kolya’s care home for a scheduled outing. We had planned to do an activity Kolya would enjoy and take him out for dinner. I texted two staff members that we were on our way so Kolya would be ready to leave for his outing.

When we arrived, all seemed to be quiet at the house. Normally, there are several cars parked outside but last Sunday there was only one car. We rang the doorbell several times and I knocked several times too. We waited well over fifteen minutes but no one answered the door. We finally gave up and came back home very disappointed to have missed seeing Kolya and my other son, Rusty.

Several hours later, I received a text from the administrator of the home to tell me Kolya was there waiting for us. I was told staff didn’t hear the doorbell or hear us knock. I find that hard to believe but I guess I must accept that as the truth. I notified the social worker with Good Shepherd Fund (gsfcare.org) on Monday and she was able to speak with the administrator to find out exactly what went wrong and how to make changes so this wouldn’t happen again.

I was so stressed Sunday evening thinking how Kolya must have felt. How would I be able to explain to him a that we were at the door but no one answered? The transition of placing him under the care of others is stressful enough without having things like this happen. I certainly do not want to experience this again and I’m am sure Kolya doesn’t either.

I had several large bags of recycling to take to Kolya’s day program at the Morgan Autism Center  for the clients to sort and take to the recycling center. Therefore, I had reason to go to San Jose. I made arrangements to do that on Friday and also to have lunch with Kolya. Of course Beth came along and we had a good time.

Marian and Kolya

We ate our picnic lunch in a park that is right beside his program. Visiting with other clients also gave us a chance to see how some clients interact with Kolya and take him under their wings, especially a couple of the ladies who have mothering characteristics.

I’m sure Beth and I will make plans to periodically meet up with Kolya again soon, whether it be at his care home or at his day program. Transitions like this are hard for me but overall he seems to be doing well, for which I am thankful.

Thanks to our friend, Beth, for taking all the photos in this article.  

This salad looks good.

Oh Mom, why did you let the grape roll away?

Kolya loves to laugh at other people’s mistakes.