Today we had a home assessment to determine Abby's eligibility for the Michelle P Waiver.  This waiver pays for expenses that our insurance denies, among other things.  It went as well as it could go.  The woman told me she definitely meets the "facility level of care" that makes her eligible, and that she would be surprised if Abby doesn't get the waiver (we will find out in a month or so).  That was the result that I wanted, but I can't be all that thrilled that Abby meets the criteria for placement in a state facility (if she was unable to get the services at home). I know how severe Abby's disability is, but this was like pouring salt on an wound.

I had to explain in detail everything Rett Syndrome has robbed from Abby.  I usually try to focus on what Abby can do, but today the focus was every single thing that she can't do and every health problem that she has had, currently has, and is at risk for.  So much for focusing on all the good stuff, right?  To make it worse, Abby was right there with us, listening.  

Can she dress herself? Can she feed herself? Can she bathe herself? Can she transition from one position to another? Can she talk, read, write?  Seriously? I even had to look through her medical records to find the results of the genetic testing that determined she had Rett.  That brought up some fond memories.  Geez!

I think I just figured out why I have a headache tonight.      

I will try to be positive, even though its not coming very naturally right now.  If she does get the waiver it will fund her speech therapy and possibly allow her to start aquatic or hippotherapy again, which would be awesome.  The whole process takes a few months to get started, but it could get Abby a lot more services without us paying out of pocket.  The waiver will be a good thing, just a painful process to get started.