Jonathan and Avner in Scout uniforms with OA Brotherhood sashes

Warming Up for the Inevitable

Avner had previously encountered an ADHD medication “generic equivalent” that gave him extreme side effects. The reaction was so violent that we filed a report with the FDA about the medication. Apparently several other patients had enough problems that the medication was removed from the list of generic equivalents for Concerta (a longer acting form of the same medication in Ritalin).

Avner, dressed for his last middle school concert.

Spring Break Disaster

Still the attitude grew darker. Avner gravitated to violent video games. In fact he had migrated away from the social games that he played with friends at school. He was turning morose and there wasn’t a ready explanation, except adolescents. Everything that we thought we saw could be explained by teenage hormones or frustration with school work.

Avner watching tv with the dog across his lap

The Conversation

I suppose that context always makes the difference. Talking to Avner tops the list of important things I do, especially during this lockdown. Absent any other external stimulation, I find that engaging conversation has a nearly magical ability to restart cognition. It may be my own confirmation bias, but I don’t think so. Avner has a ravenous appetite for information and analysis. I love that aspect of his personality. We

Avner on the Bima

Pain and Guilt

Given the option to continue training without the surgery to correct my ACL in December of 2015 or to have the surgery again with the same outcome, I’m not sure I’d do it again. Of course, I’d hope to be more mentally present as my son declined in health but there’s no guarantee that it would  play out that way. When I chose to go into surgery for my knee,