I got a question

[svdreamer]

I have a rather unique situation. I'm 56 and I have 4 adopted special needs girls, ages 22 to 29, they will be with me all their lives. I truly want to go full time and take the girls with me. Other than extra charges for 5 campers to get in some rv CG, can any you old time FTers see any problems? They LOVE going camping and as long as I have a tv and dvd going, they will be happy on the road. My Winnie is big enough for all of us to sleep comfortably. I would have to choose my places so we have water and dumping places nearby. What ya'll think?

[LPryor]

IMO...Pam,,,GO FOR IT! AND BLESS YOUR HEART!

I think you'll be giving yourself and the girls an experience that they'll never forget...plus being an incredible life lesson......ENJOY....plan well and leave fear behind,,,,have a wonderful time and just be aware that as time goes on, the girls may need to settle for a bit...
Blessings....Lynn

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LPryor IMO...Pam,,,GO FOR IT! AND BLESS YOUR HEART!

I couldn't agree more.... especially with the "Bless Your Heart" part.

I think you'll be fine.

Rick

[svdreamer]

Thank you for your encouragement! I have been wanting to do this for a few years now, that's why I bought this particular model, it can sleep 8. It will take a year or two to get everything ready, both in the MH and the stick house, but now I can actually see a time I can do this full time.

[okmunky]

Hi Pam,

I was a special needs foster mom for 10 years to 2 young ladies with profound challenges. They LOVED to travel. Making new friends was good for all concerned.

The most difficult part revolved around obtaining medications and medical care away from home. Their medical cards were not honored in other states. This may not be a big issue for your family, but you might want to check out different options before you commit to a plan.

I'd suggest you make note of the typical things you and your girls do regularly and discuss how you might have to adapt them for life in an RV.

Have fun!

[svdreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by okmunky Hi Pam, I was a special needs foster mom for 10 years to 2 young ladies with profound challenges. They LOVED to travel. Making new friends was good for all concerned. The most difficult part revolved around obtaining medications and medical care away from home. Their medical cards were not honored in other states. This may not be a big issue for your family, but you might want to check out different options before you commit to a plan. I'd suggest you make note of the typical things you and your girls do regularly and discuss how you might have to adapt them for life in an RV. Have fun!

Thank you, I hadn't thought of that. One daughter is on meds. I will have to see how to get them to me once a month. My son can pick them up and maybe mail them or fed ex them to me. Just have to swing by CA every 6 months to get them renewed.

The girls have been camping for 5 days several times before when I had my tent trailer, so I know they do good camping. As long as I have a tv with a dvd, they will be happy.

[Dog Folks]

I say go for it!! God Bless You.

We travel full time with my wife's mentally disabled sister. The only thing we have noticed is try to find attractions that fit her "mental" age. (She is 59 physically, but only 10 mentally.) She gets bored in the "static" display type museums that we visit.

She recently met Smokey the Bear in a national Forest, and talked about it for days! It was a wake up call for us to seek out more of the same.

[wa8yxm]

The only problem I can foresee is perhaps, not going to happen.. You said the young ladies are "Sepcial needs" sadly that covers a whole lot of territory.. Some "Special needs" might be noticed by someone who is observant enough to be thought physic. (Think Patrick Jaye on the show "The Mentalist") some.. Well some are kind of obvious.

RVers are ... People.. Just like your neighbors in your stick house.. SOME, Will accept your special needs daughters with open hearts.. Some will strongly resemble the south end of a north bound cross between a horse and a mule.

To be frank.. That's about the only issue I can see.. And it depends a lot on what is meant by "Special Needs"

I"m not as good as the fictional Mr. Jaye by the way.. But I have been accused of being physic on occasion .

[2912N]

Be sure that they have some type of id with them. A return to sender label....Be it an id bracelet with your contact info or something similar. If for some reason they become separated from you this is a great help in reuniting a family.

[svdreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm The only problem I can foresee is perhaps, not going to happen.. You said the young ladies are "Sepcial needs" sadly that covers a whole lot of territory.. Some "Special needs" might be noticed by someone who is observant enough to be thought physic. (Think Patrick Jaye on the show "The Mentalist") some.. Well some are kind of obvious. RVers are ... People.. Just like your neighbors in your stick house.. SOME, Will accept your special needs daughters with open hearts.. Some will strongly resemble the south end of a north bound cross between a horse and a mule. To be frank.. That's about the only issue I can see.. And it depends a lot on what is meant by "Special Needs" I"m not as good as the fictional Mr. Jaye by the way.. But I have been accused of being physic on occasion .

Three of them have Down sydrome, one was shook as a baby and is brain damaged but high functioning. All of them walk, none of them drool and they are friendly. Never had anyone say anything bad about them before and I've had them since they were babies. They are respectful and quiet. In fact, I've had complete strangers, older folks, come up a few times and compliment me on how well behaved they are when we were all out eating or camping. (I have 7 adopted kids total) One older man with his wife caame up and apologized and said he cringed when we all walked in expecting to have his lunch disrupted and just had to come by and tell me how well behaved they were. He actually forgot they were there.

[svdreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2912N Be sure that they have some type of id with them. A return to sender label....Be it an id bracelet with your contact info or something similar. If for some reason they become separated from you this is a great help in reuniting a family.

Actually, this is a good idea. Two of them talk quite well, but the other two don't. Maybe something with a plastic sheath that I can put my space number and cell phone number on it and slide it in the sheath and they wear around their neck. Maybe not their neck, it might get caught, maybe their wrist.

[okmunky]

Here's a link to just one of many inexpensive ID bracelets that you can customise

Amazon.com: Sports Vital / Medical ID Adjustable Bracelet ~Personal ID ~ Yellow: Health & Personal Care

[wa8yxm]

Well.. I guess perhaps I might have been more clear... The only problem I can foresee is not with your kids....

I just have met a lot of retards who think they have free license to put down others who are in some way different.

There is a person who says it way better than I do.. Let's see if I can find an online copy of his explanation.

Talking Wheelchair Blues.wmv - YouTube

The album is titled "The Heart of the Appolusa" by Fred Small, he has a lot of this type of song on it. The track I linked to is "Talking wheelchair Blues"

He's out jogging, comes across a woman in a chair.. She says "Wanna Drag" He figures no sweat.. She subsequently says "What took you so long" they then go to lunch.

The only kind of problems I foresee, are the kind they have with their Lunch.

NOTE that the problems are.. Well, listen to the song. I have.

[svdreamer]

LOL I love that song!! I know a little what she ran into. I was in a wheelchair for 6 month after I destroyed my ankle. I have it better than she did, most places are wheelchair accessable nowadays. But, yes, I have encountered people like that all the time with my kids. They are all over 20 and restaurants still insist on trying to give them kid's menus. Even after I tell them they are over 20. Pisses me off. And I have people give me and my kids crazy looks and whispers behind their hands. Not too many say much too my face as I am 6 feet tall and built like a linebacker. And by the time we leave a place, my girls have usually won everyone over. They are such sweet happy ladies.