This pandemic has affected me and my family because of my three-year-old godson.
Since he was a baby he has had early onset scoliosis. In March he had a big surgery to get a growing rod put in his back. Before we left the hospital, the nurses and doctors told us that if he got this virus right out of surgery, it would kill him. Because of his weak immune system and central core disease, he will always be a high risk person, so my sister and brother-in-law and I have to be very careful going out in public. When we go out in public we are careful to do social distancing, and when we get home we change clothes and sanitize our hands. Also, when I go to work I always wear a mask, and when I get home I change out of my uniform and wash my hands. Let’s just say I have to do a lot of laundry because I have to keep my godson safe.
Even though we like keeping him safe inside, my godson can get really bored. He is
always wanting to be outside with his cousin at the park. We have tried bringing him out, but it is risky because there are always people around and he can’t get exposed to anything, so instead of the park we go to Kilowatt Park Boat Ramp and bring our own toys. Or we compromise and go outside in the yard; he loves collecting acorns. He also loves playing board games when it’s a rainy day and he can’t go outside. When we are stuck inside we sometimes settle down and watch all his favorite dinosaur shows, such as Dinosaur King, Dinotrux, Dinosaur Train, Power Rangers Dino Charge and Power Rangers Dino Supercharge (he is obsessed with dinosaurs).
This virus has changed our family’s daily life and we have faced some challenges, but
we know we can get through this. Other than the fact of being limited to playing outside, and sometimes going to the park, my godson doesn’t really know the difference. Since he is only three, he doesn’t know that there is something big going on.
Note: Emily is a student at Vermont Adult Learning’s White River Junction Learning Center.