Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

Hammie got me rattled a bit some time ago talking about macros and micros and where we fit in to that picture. Am convinced this woman is psychic..just at the time she challenged me I had to face up to the situation..

Rewind...growing up I watched my Dad throw himself into organisations that benefitted probably everyone but himself..church gate collections, sponsorship cards for IWA, various walks and hill climbs in every country raising money for his favourite charities. Using Hammie's Little Red Hen analogy we witnessed him restore/renovate an old school house in his own time and at his own expense only to hand it over to the local area development..it is now used as a cultural arts centre, music rooms and offices and he has nothing to show for his hard work except that he is proud of what he has achieved..and we are doubly proud of him...

Since his adorable grandson (yes I mean Babs) was diagnosed with autism he was determined to 'do his bit' for him (well for the team that looks after him)..so he organised a very successful fundraising concert and gave the proceeds to Enable Ireland. He intends making this an annual event, although I might try to get him to divert the money to a different source...So all agreed my Dad is a 'Macroman' complete with leotard and tights.

So did I inherit these macrogenes..not too sure..think I am a doer not a thinker..my brain seems to run to standstill when asked for ideas and stuff..if someone has a definite plan and wants a hand to organise..that I can do.

Now back to how Hammie pricked my conscience...I got involved in a parent support group before we had Babs' diagnosis..via the EYECAN worker in his playschool. Majella was the Early Years Education for Children with Additional Needs worker. She came out to the playschool several times to see Babs and discuss what the playschool leaders could do to help him integrate and she then worked in tandem with the HSE & Enable after diagnosis. She invited me to a meeting where there was a talk on Entitlements. I met lots of parents who had children with a variety of additional needs. I enjoyed these outings once a month but in less than a year I was the only constant attendee and eventually the only surviving member of that initial group..New parents came on board and the group is still going, although, very poorly attended. The cost of the hotel rooms and tea/coffee for our meetings came out of Majella's EYECAN budget (funded by dormant accounts, pobal etc.). She decided we should give ourselves a name and set ourselves as a company/charity to apply for funding etc as her job would no longer be funded after August, and so SNAP Cavan was formed (parent branch in Louth).

A committee was formed and fell apart almost immediately, so just as Hammie brought this topic up I was about to attend a meeting to select new committee..Going to this meeting I had absolutely no intention of putting my name forward because I would rather just sit back and reap the benefits..so no Macro genes for me...however by default I got the secretary's job as no one else to take it..I have been stressed out about it ever since....You see if I am being totally honest, which I tend to be, I can see this group falling apart because there is no interest...personally I would rather invest my time in an autism only group (of which there is none locally). That is why we don't have numbers because each disability has their own support group and who would blame parents for not coming to the variety one...so we are flogging a dead horse..However, having signed up for this I will give it my all (and by my husband's reckoning it will probably take over my life)! Addictive personality again... so am I a macro or micro..I dunno where I fit in?