I have been walking around in a fog for most of the week, following the story of Robert Wood, Jr., the 8 year old boy with autism in Hanover, about 90 minutes south of where I live. As the days drug on the end of the week, my hope faded for his safe recovery. I had read that the search dogs kept losing the scent at the river's edge. If you follow news about children with autism who wander from home, you will notice a good number drown. Given everything that I heard, the ending that came today was more than an a miracle, if such a thing is possible. I can't wrap my brain around the fact that child is alive after six days.
I don't know his mother got through it. Jimmy has wandered about a half a dozen times now. Never directly from me. Last Thanksgiving, he was with my mother in Macy's and I was in another store with Jacob and he slipped out of the adaptive stroller and wandered away. We had no idea where he had gone. There were four exits out of Macy's. Three went out into the parking lot, one into the mall. The whole ordeal was a half an hour. Jacob had run off once at Fair Oaks and I was scared, but he knew his name and I knew he hadn't been taken - he had gotten cheesed off and sprinted. Someone grabbed him and brought him back to the information desk where he got screamed at. He stood a chance on his own, even at his young age.
Jimmy is a different kettle of fish. No sense of danger, no ability to communicate, and I don't have any real idea how he would react if a predatory person approached him. I tried to keep calm to deal with Macy's employees, 911, the police - if I lost it, I would have done Jimmy no good. But my body had such a physical reaction to the stress, it was insane. My pulse raced for a half an hour. I felt physically ill, shaky. (I honestly don't know how Robert Wood's mom kept it together for a week.) I had no idea how long it was beginning to end at the time, but every muscle in my body was tense. I kept my mind working, but I was absolutely sure that I would never see my son again. I could imagine that he could make his way safely back to me. The only time that he did anything close to wandering was a time he refused to go into Red Lobster, instead trying to sprint on to Sudley Road. I straddled him until two female employees of the fast food place next door came to help. Eventually my husband came as well. But if I had moved, my kid was intent on running into the street. I still have no idea why. When he ran at the mall, I was sure the same thing would happen again.
When the Macy's employee drug him back from the food court, I let out a sound that I still don't think was at all human. It's been a year and the anxiety of that day hasn't left me yet. He has bolted in our own neighborhood as well. You still have the same fear for his safety with cars, but a much better idea where he is going and a lot of people who know who he is and that he should never be anywhere alone.
After Thanksgiving, I faxed over an application to Project Lifesaver at the Sheriff's Office. In December, Jimmy took Officer Qusenberry on a foot chase, so he took a second one. I even checked to confirmed receipt. I was told that I was waitlisted. During this sheriff's race, I asked about the Project Lifesaver program of one of the candidates and got a whole debate started about it. Then I asked Sheriff Hill himself at a candidate forum the other night. I heard from someone that they lost my application and someone else that they never received, but the upshot is they just got some additional grants and that Jimmy is about to receive his unit. Next week! The peace of mind is huge. If he wanders away again, God forbid, it will reduce the search time. Timing is everything, I suppose.
I imagine Robert will be getting a Project Lifesaver GPS unit shortly as well. That child has angels with him. May they continue to keep him well and safe. I am astounded and grateful at the fact that this beautiful boy is still alive!!!
