On the Edge of her Seat

Maggie is showing her teenage-ness in her own inimitable fashion. I have written before of her ability to unclip the belts holding her shoulder harness and seat belt on. Subsequently she progressed to unhooking the belt that straps her into the bus. It was only a matter of time before she figured out the groin straps. Those are the most important because they really secure her to the wheelchair. But only when they are fastened.

Not any more. Maggie unhooks them with reckless abandon and it's only a matter of time before she falls out of that chair. We are working on remedying the situation, but it is difficult because Maggie has a need/obsession to show us that she has figured it out.  I tried to explain just because you KNOW HOW to do something you don't have to do it all the time. For example, I KNOW HOW to throw you out the window, but I don't DO it. She just smiles and unhooks the buckles.  I guess its not different than another 16 year old acting out; she's living on the edge.

For now I just have to keep the tray on the chair so she can't get to the belts - or at least not easily. . We are also considering lengthening them so she cannot reach of even putting lockable clips on - but we have to balance the need to get her out of the chair quickly.

Generally I'm happy with behavior that is age and emotionally appropriate. This one, not so much. Oh well, other16 year old kids are getting driver's licenses. That's a whole different kind of seat belt issue.

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Today is the launch for the new cookbook Stir Frying to the Sky's Edge by my good friend Grace Young. check out a review  http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/Book_Reviews/international_cooking/Stir_Frying_YOUNG.html