Week Ten

Life for the Nassar family continued to unravel over the last few years. Due to Ahmad’s growing irritability and seemingly regressive development at 7 years old and continuing till his current age of 12, his parents opted to take him back to the doctor for further evaluation. When Ahmad turned 9, the doctors came to consider that his Lyme disease was not appropriately treated when he was 4 years old, and that his condition may have worsened and spread throughout his body over those 5 years. If Lyme disease is not treated appropriately it can begin to affect the heart and nervous system (KidsHealth, 1995-2012). These individuals can experience “irregular heart rhythm, chest pain, facial paralysis, and arthritic symptoms such as swelling or inflammation of the joints” (KidsHealth, 1995-2012). These symptoms characterize a lot of symptoms Ahmad’s experienced and complained about as a 7 year old. Ahmad’s symptoms were not all physical; he also experienced emotional symptoms of progressive Lyme disease. As a 12 year old, Ahmad is reaching his physically typical developmental milestones, but he is still lacking in his emotional development. Typical 12 to 13 year olds often socialize and interact with their peers, and “become more independent with their own personality and interests” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). However, due to his condition Ahmad finds trouble relating to his peers and begins feeling the effects of social isolation. His frustration with his peers of not being able to understand the severity of his condition, led him to become increasingly irritable and moody.  His overall performance and behavior have declined to the point that he was no longer able to remain at the local Montessori school and has been attending public school for the past 4 years.  Ahmad is now 12 years old but is one grade below his peers having been retained one year due to frequent absences and the sudden drop in grades. Khalid is devastated by this decline in academics which has shown in his dwindling attempts to make sense and time for his son’s new personality and life. 

He did not make friends at his new school as easily as he once had at the Montessori School. Along with this change and the normal hormone changes that are occurring coupled with the effects of the Lyme disease have caused Ahmad to become rebellious and lose all interest that he had left in school and school activities.  He is difficult to predict and experiences constant mood swings and personality changes.  Ahmad tires easily which has caused him little desire for friends or social activities.  Loneliness has also become a problem which has led to depression and recent suicidal thoughts.

Ahmad’s parents noticed this change in their son, and hoped to improve his quality of life by registering him in a sport he once loved, soccer.

Although a thoughtful gesture, playing soccer was too strenuous on Ahmad’s body. He often felt “fatigued, weakness, and joint aches and pains” (Children’s Hospital Boston, 2005-2011). Ahmad as well as his parents felt discouraged by his condition and situation, but they were also hopeful in discovering a successful treatment plan. Ahmad was taken to the doctor again, but this time doctors suggested that he might be suffering from “post-infectious disease syndrome” (Children’s Hospital Boston, 2005-2011). The doctors suggested several treatment options for Ahmad to try. Some of these options included: “maintaining a sleep schedule, exercising, acupuncture, biofeedback, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory drugs to help with aches and pains” (Children’s Hospital Boston, 2005-2011). Although some of the treatments that Ahmad’s doctors suggested were expensive, Ahmad’s parents had enough money saved to accommodate their son.

After a few months of treatment, Ahmad finally began showing some improvement. To maintain his improvement another specific behavior plan was established in his school, so Ahmad would have an outlet if he became too overwhelmed with school or his peers.

Even with this slow improvement Khalid and Sasha’s relationship has been strained and they are constantly arguing.  Sasha, in her desperation to make sense of all that has happened, has returned to her Lutheran faith.  The conflict has been exacerbated by Sasha’s anger and guilt as she repeatedly questions herself on why she ever gave in to Khalid to raise Ahmad as a Muslim.

References

KidsHealth. (1995-2012). Lyme Disease. Retrieved March 22, 2012, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/lyme.html

Children’s Hospital Boston. (2005-2011). Lyme Disease. Retrieved March 22, 2012, from http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1255/mainpageS1255P4.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Child Development. Retrieved March 22, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/adolescence.html