Introducing the (future) In-Laws
As promised, there will be occasional stories about the (future) in-laws. Brief background:
Erin has Down Syndrome, and while she is very high functioning, her and Bev are pretty much inseparable. Growing up, Bev spent countless hours working with Erin on her homework, school projects, and just general life stuff. As a consequence, they have pretty much developed a symbiotic relationship.
And now the story...
Last year about this time, Bev and Erin (will be referred to as mom and sis from now on), went on their first ever cruise with some other family friends. Dad is pretty much a home body and didn't go. Not a big deal.
Leading up to this cruise Grandma (paternal grandmother) was very ill. To the point where the family had come to terms with this, and we had all said our good-byes. Miraculously, she made a recovery, and was actually discharged from the hospital. Mom and sis left on their cruise the day following this, as grandma was up walking around and seemingly on her way back.
The first day into the cruise, grandma suddenly took a turn for the worse, and the following day passed. Now what? Mom and sis are cruising around the Carribean for 10 days, having the time of their life. What do we do? Can we get them home in time for the funeral?
We know the ship and we know the route. Midnight the day grandma passed, I'm talking with the captain of the ship, explaining the situation. We can get word to them (mom and sis), but it's really up to us/them to arrange transportation back to the states, but they (the captain and crew) will assist in any way they can.
I start to contact the airports in the next couple of ports of call, arranging for flights back. Short version of these conversations. Nothing is guaranteed, but if I slip some extra money in, I can buy an almost guarantee.
Needless to say, we let them finish the cruise. Dad and Traci met them at the airport upon their regular return. Upon seeing Traci, they immediately know what happened. The situaiton was explained, and they were OK with it, and agreed with our decisions.
I tell you that story to tell you this one.
Mom and sis just took another cruise in the carribean again. This time, the first night of the cruise, mom slips and falls on the way to the bathroom. She's not as mobile as she once was to begin with, but she doesn't fall on a regular basis either.
The outcome of the fall is that she has 5 hairline fractures in her leg. Being the trooper she is though, when given the choice of having the captain turn the boat around (they were only 4~5 hours at sea), air lifted back by the Coast Guard, or continuing, she chooses to continue the cruise in a wheel chair (not the on-board doctor's first choice).
She is now home, and this is when the family learns of the situation. Dad doesn't deal with this stuff all that well. He's a planner, and doesn't like to have things sprung on him. Picking up a wife at the airport in a wheel chair with 5 fractures and no advanced notice is springing something on the man.
Knowing how Traci would react, mom calls me specifically and tells me the story. Also telling me to inform Traci when the time is right, meaning when we can come and visit, and not before, and to make sure Traci is in a good mood before I tell her. Traci is very close to her family, and doesn't take bad news all that well.
I have to admit, Traci took it better than I thought she would.
Mom wants to take a cruise next year. If something bad happens next time, I will counsel her that perhaps her cruising days are done.
I'll let you know.
Erin has Down Syndrome, and while she is very high functioning, her and Bev are pretty much inseparable. Growing up, Bev spent countless hours working with Erin on her homework, school projects, and just general life stuff. As a consequence, they have pretty much developed a symbiotic relationship.
And now the story...
Last year about this time, Bev and Erin (will be referred to as mom and sis from now on), went on their first ever cruise with some other family friends. Dad is pretty much a home body and didn't go. Not a big deal.
Leading up to this cruise Grandma (paternal grandmother) was very ill. To the point where the family had come to terms with this, and we had all said our good-byes. Miraculously, she made a recovery, and was actually discharged from the hospital. Mom and sis left on their cruise the day following this, as grandma was up walking around and seemingly on her way back.
The first day into the cruise, grandma suddenly took a turn for the worse, and the following day passed. Now what? Mom and sis are cruising around the Carribean for 10 days, having the time of their life. What do we do? Can we get them home in time for the funeral?
We know the ship and we know the route. Midnight the day grandma passed, I'm talking with the captain of the ship, explaining the situation. We can get word to them (mom and sis), but it's really up to us/them to arrange transportation back to the states, but they (the captain and crew) will assist in any way they can.
I start to contact the airports in the next couple of ports of call, arranging for flights back. Short version of these conversations. Nothing is guaranteed, but if I slip some extra money in, I can buy an almost guarantee.
Needless to say, we let them finish the cruise. Dad and Traci met them at the airport upon their regular return. Upon seeing Traci, they immediately know what happened. The situaiton was explained, and they were OK with it, and agreed with our decisions.
I tell you that story to tell you this one.
Mom and sis just took another cruise in the carribean again. This time, the first night of the cruise, mom slips and falls on the way to the bathroom. She's not as mobile as she once was to begin with, but she doesn't fall on a regular basis either.
The outcome of the fall is that she has 5 hairline fractures in her leg. Being the trooper she is though, when given the choice of having the captain turn the boat around (they were only 4~5 hours at sea), air lifted back by the Coast Guard, or continuing, she chooses to continue the cruise in a wheel chair (not the on-board doctor's first choice).
She is now home, and this is when the family learns of the situation. Dad doesn't deal with this stuff all that well. He's a planner, and doesn't like to have things sprung on him. Picking up a wife at the airport in a wheel chair with 5 fractures and no advanced notice is springing something on the man.
Knowing how Traci would react, mom calls me specifically and tells me the story. Also telling me to inform Traci when the time is right, meaning when we can come and visit, and not before, and to make sure Traci is in a good mood before I tell her. Traci is very close to her family, and doesn't take bad news all that well.
I have to admit, Traci took it better than I thought she would.
Mom wants to take a cruise next year. If something bad happens next time, I will counsel her that perhaps her cruising days are done.
I'll let you know.
posted by Rich B | 8:54 AM
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