Praise and Prayer Requests

Praise: 
It has been two months since Mason's G-tube surgery.  He is doing very well with the feedings and generally doesn't balk at feeding time.  Each month we update Alabama's Children's Hospital (ACH) with his weight, height, and general progress.  He has gained 10 lbs and they are thrilled because he is on the growth chart for the first time since he was one year old.  This is a huge praise and we are thankful for doctors at ACH.  Finally someone, somewhere understands what we have been through and has given us solutions that are working. We have a six-month checkup at ACH in May.  This is a long drive for us, so we pray for traveling mercies.

Mason is always creating new things. Notice the contraptions on his head!

Prayer Requests:
Part of the ACH solutions including testing Mason for academic and psychological issues.  The testing was completed last December.  The results indicated issues in both areas.  We took those issues to Mason's school as he now qualifies for additional academic services.  One of the most alarming areas was how much his IQ had fallen due to the nutritional deficits.  We met with the IEP team at his school and they denied us any services except for math intervention.  He is testing ok for his IQ.  They do not care that he is not reaching his potential and are not interested in helping him close the gap.  We are sure they do not have the resources (teachers or funding) to meet every parents' request, but Mason is suffering.  He isn't doing well in school and fails everything, but somehow comes home with Bs. He doesn't care about school and is not willing to work to fix the learning gaps. Mason is resistant to anything and everything. Our request is what we should do next...

1. Do nothing. Keep him at his existing school and hope he catches up. 
2. Visit other public schools in our area to see if they can help him.
3. Homeschool - which is hard because he doesn't want to work hard with me or his dad
4. Find a private school that can meet his needs ($$$, time and location)

All options have pros and cons.  Lastly, could you please pray that Mason's heart would change?  He doesn't care about anything.  He is very inflexible.  All of these are symptoms of the psychological issues, but could also be a result of the lack of nutrition for so long.  He hasn't always been this way. We truly do not care if he grows up to be a rocket scientist or a ditch digger, as long as he loves God and thrives in whatever he chooses to pursue.  Please pray that God will give us wisdom.  We know that God is writing Mason's story and he has a perfect plan.  

In Christ,
Mary and David