Project Lifesaver
A couple weeks ago, I came across a blog post written by an Autism Dad and police officer. I read it to Mike, and we both found it rather compelling. It was called 7 Things First Responders Want People With Autism to Know: A Response to Autism Speaks. Since I have been keeping in touch with local law enforcement about Grayson and autism, I sent the link to our police chief via email. He wrote me back and asked if anyone had contacted me about Project Lifesaver. Our country just received the program through a grant in the fall.
To learn more about Project Lifesaver, read here.
I had seen an article about it in the paper, but at the time I didn't really feel like it was a good fit for our family. My limited-government upbringing made me question the safety of having our son wear a transmitter that would allow law enforcement to track him. I know. I know. I sound like a crazy person.
But when the police chief suggested it to me, Mike and I discussed it - A LOT - and we decided a few things:
- We cannot be critical of our local law enforcement not having a special needs outreach, etc. if we do not participate in the one program they do offer.
- When Grayson runs away (because it is WHEN not IF), we will be glad that he is wearing a transmitter and can be found safely.
- We learned Grayson would be the FIRST in the county to try this program, so why not attempt it and then we can educate others about it?
So I wrote the police chief back and told him to sign us up. He forwarded our information on to the local Job and Family Services rep who is in charge of the program. He met with us on Friday, and he was so kind! We talked for a long time about what the program is - and what it isn't (A GPS tracking program where they follow Grayson on a map like on a crime TV show!)
He and Mike placed the RF transmitter on Grayson's ankle - and he has been doing pretty well with it. But I gotta tell you - it does something to a mother's heart to know that her baby is wearing that to keep him safe. It actually makes my heart break in two when I see him running around with it on his ankle. He is so strong, and so brave and he doesn't even understand just how amazing he is - or how precious he is to his dad and me and everyone who has met him for even a second.
I am worried about the critical remarks we will receive - the hurtful comments made at his expense. I feel like in so many ways, Grayson is already very conspicuous. Not only is he absolutely adorable, but he jumps, flaps, runs, screams and is mostly non-verbal but he babbles quite a bit. That he doesn't fit in with typical kids his age is so difficult for me to process - so let's add another thing to make him stand out. :( The silence and support we haven't received by those in our lives who know about it (this might be the first you are hearing about this - so obviously not you :) ) - has been incredibly deafening to Mike and me.
But we soldier on, because our son deserves to be completely safe and secure in all the ways that we can provide. Hopefully we will never have to use it, but it brings peace of mind to us that he has it - that it's another safeguard for him!
To learn more about Project Lifesaver, read here.
I had seen an article about it in the paper, but at the time I didn't really feel like it was a good fit for our family. My limited-government upbringing made me question the safety of having our son wear a transmitter that would allow law enforcement to track him. I know. I know. I sound like a crazy person.
But when the police chief suggested it to me, Mike and I discussed it - A LOT - and we decided a few things:
- We cannot be critical of our local law enforcement not having a special needs outreach, etc. if we do not participate in the one program they do offer.
- When Grayson runs away (because it is WHEN not IF), we will be glad that he is wearing a transmitter and can be found safely.
- We learned Grayson would be the FIRST in the county to try this program, so why not attempt it and then we can educate others about it?
So I wrote the police chief back and told him to sign us up. He forwarded our information on to the local Job and Family Services rep who is in charge of the program. He met with us on Friday, and he was so kind! We talked for a long time about what the program is - and what it isn't (A GPS tracking program where they follow Grayson on a map like on a crime TV show!)
He and Mike placed the RF transmitter on Grayson's ankle - and he has been doing pretty well with it. But I gotta tell you - it does something to a mother's heart to know that her baby is wearing that to keep him safe. It actually makes my heart break in two when I see him running around with it on his ankle. He is so strong, and so brave and he doesn't even understand just how amazing he is - or how precious he is to his dad and me and everyone who has met him for even a second.
I am worried about the critical remarks we will receive - the hurtful comments made at his expense. I feel like in so many ways, Grayson is already very conspicuous. Not only is he absolutely adorable, but he jumps, flaps, runs, screams and is mostly non-verbal but he babbles quite a bit. That he doesn't fit in with typical kids his age is so difficult for me to process - so let's add another thing to make him stand out. :( The silence and support we haven't received by those in our lives who know about it (this might be the first you are hearing about this - so obviously not you :) ) - has been incredibly deafening to Mike and me.
But we soldier on, because our son deserves to be completely safe and secure in all the ways that we can provide. Hopefully we will never have to use it, but it brings peace of mind to us that he has it - that it's another safeguard for him!
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