Rehab: Raising A Son With Special Needs

We took Willie's computer away.  He is in withdraw.  Literally! He calls me now: he never initiated calls before. YAY! We talk endlessly about his computer. Willie asks me when he is getting his computer back. Over and over again.  The first call came 2 days into his withdraw. Willie said: " I am doing everything you said. Going to classes, sleeping, taking showers...now when can I have my computer back?" (It had been TWO days!) I explained to Willie, calmly and clearly, that he was doing great but he needed to keep this up and we would consider his request after some time.  His immediate response was: "Ya right, 3 days or 3 years...." This comment both showed Willie's inability to process and understand time as well as his extreme thinking: all or nothing!

The definition of rehab is "the process of helping someone (such as an injured patient or drug user) to become healthy again." Synonyms of rehab include healing, mending, and recovery.  The idea that Willie is in rehab now that we have taken his computer away is not far from the truth.  But this is rehab for his broken brain more than an addiction.  For most 21 year olds can regulate their computer use.  My 21 year old cannot as his brain is damaged.  

The verdict is still out whether Willie can learn to manage his computer, even with support. There is no real recovery from Willie's Brain Injury.  Willie's rehab has been centered around helping Willie to reach his potential even with his brain damage. We have helped him learn compensation strategies, given him accommodations for his deficits, and put a safety net in place when things have fallen through "the brain cracks." Willie's whole life has been a type of rehab really. And truth be told, there has been enormous growth, healing, and improvement.  

I hope I can answer one of Willie's phone calls one day with: "You can have your computer back."