One thing I don't think I've properly conveyed in my posts is how very child like these young adults in the program I'm covering are. They look adult-sized, but in some ways they are still very much kids.
Because of everything, we were informed that our community based instruction (CBI) has to pause for the moment. Which, while I'm disappointed, I can't really object to. One of the things we do is go into restaurants and eat. And I'm not feeling all that safe doing that at the moment.
Pizza was out all week. (Well, not Tuesday, but see yesterday's post for more about that.) On Thursday he sent me an email:
Hi Elizabeth to let you know I didn't felt good today, I have to see you tomorrow for cbi, but i still plan on going to taco bell for cbi lunch.
Pizza had gotten his Covid booster the previous day. We had planned to go to Taco Bell on CBI on Tuesday before *waves hands* everything (see yesterday's post). Normally, we would have planned where we were going on Friday after lunch on Thursday. And while Pizza wasn't going to be there to advocate for his choice, he wanted to make sure his voice was heard.
(Pizza likes to tell us staff members where we should go. We tell him he has to discuss with his classmates. He usually gets his way anyway.)
When I replied, I had to inform him that there would be no CBI on Friday:
CBIs have been canceled for the foreseeable future. Hope to see you tomorrow, but plan on eating at school.
But remember, child like. Pizza's reply:
Oh, I hope that we will go on cbi next week.
(When I read this, I can totally hear his voice. It gives it that extra oomph that I can't really convey in text.)
So, I attempted to explain again:
It's not likely. It'll probably be a couple weeks before we go out on CBI again.
Of course, I'm being optimistic. We might not be allowed out before my tenure in the class is over. Such is pandemic life.
Pizza did not return to school on Friday. Whether it was because he still wasn't feeling well or because we weren't going out for lunch, I don't know. By the time you read this, I'll probably have a better idea.
That’s sad. I hope you can get back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteProbably next week, although I won't be here for that. Things have shifted once again...
DeleteIt seems going to lunch is the highlight of Pizza's time at school. I'm with you, it isn't safe to eat out. It's barely safe to go grocery shopping, even though my state mandates masks.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the highpoint of all our week, actually. I kind of miss it.
DeleteCan you order in? At least get him a taste of going out.
ReplyDeleteSadly, no. I asked. That would have been awesome.
DeleteSo much of this resonates with me from the experiences of my autistic brother in law (who is in his 60's and also had COVID in April of 2020). Eating out, to him, is something he loves. His community based services halted in March of 2020 and I don't think they resumed for almost nine months - it's almost day to day now. He's been exposed, the woman that takes him out has been exposed...so far, thankfully, negative each time (they are both fully vaxxed and boosted). He still can't do certain things and he doesn't understand why not. He wants an exact date that things will go back to normal. It's so hard for you and for those who work with my bil.
ReplyDeleteMy group, while complaining of the restrictions, largely understands what's going on. I think the fact that we talk about it a lot helps.
DeleteThere's no reason to go to school if he can't decide for everyone to go to Taco Bell XD.
ReplyDeleteCBI does sound fun. I've befriended quite a few adults who are children on the inside. I don't understand why this has happened, but it is very commonplace. I think it's also dangerous for society. The number keeps growing (I see more and more every day), and all it does is increase the burden on the rest of us who are adults living in adult bodies.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope Pizza feels better and that you can venture out but with plenty of wipes to make sure covid stays away.
ReplyDeleteEventually they'll get to go out again. But not for a couple weeks, I'm sure.
DeleteMy neighbors son is in a program like that. He has aspergers.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to them. (Although, I've heard they don't use that A term any longer. It has nasty affiliations.)
DeleteBummer. I would have loved to go to Taco Bell!
ReplyDeleteActually, that's the one thing that I was relieved about. That's not my favorite place for lunch.
DeleteI think even kids who don't have the challenges your class have would still hope (and assume) the lunch excursions would be back asap.
ReplyDeleteThat's disappointing that the lunch outings are canceled, but it makes sense. I've had a hard time understanding all of the people that choose to dine in at restaurants during surges and in places with high community spread.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I feel funny dining out right now. Although, things are trending downward now, so we might get back to the dining out sooner rather than later.
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