Final Week

Ahmad seemed to have it all: he was finally married to the love of his life with two beautiful children. Everything was going great with the work place; Ahmad got a promotion as an assistant manager to the company. The family was living a normal, happy life until Ahmad’s parents’ health started to spiral down out of control. Ahmad knew that someday he would have to make the difficult decision whether or not to move his parents into a nursing home. Ahmad made the difficult decision a couple years later to move his parents into a local nursing home so he and his family could continue to see them each day.
            In order to help pay for the nursing home bill, Ahmad and Taylor worked longer hours and juggled work and their children. Although his parents insisted that they were fine on their own, Ahmad felt that at the age of 55 he could and wanted to provide for his parents, since they did so much for him. The added stress caused Ahmad to struggle with his Lyme’s disease, and he began to focus not on his health, but on his parents’ bills and their family struggles. Eventually the added stress caught up with him and he was hospitalized for a couple days. This did not help with the bills, but it was yet another wake up call that he must care for himself along with his family. Unfortunately a short time after his hospitalization, both of his parents died; first his mother and then his father. Even though he did not have to worry about nursing home costs anymore, he grieved for the loss of his parents.
            Taylor started to worry about Ahmad. He had taken at least one day a week off from work during the past four months as he was still struggling with the death of his parents. He also started to drink daily to try to forget about his parents. On top of this, their twin girls were having difficulties in middle school. The school had to separate the twins to make sure they were not in the same classes because they fought with each other so much. They would lash out at each other by scratching and pulling each other’s hair. Taylor and Ahmad have seen this at home as well, but Ahmad did nothing to stop it. He was in a dark place where all he could think about was how life used to be with his parents. So Taylor was stuck trying to calm the twins down, but they refused to listen to their mother. Taylor insisted that Ahmad go see a counselor to talk about his feelings because now his drinking habits are interfering with home life and work life. She wanted Ahmad to get back on track and contribute to the family, but he just seemed so lost. Ahmad finally agreed to see a counselor and realized that it helped to have someone listen to him. With the help of therapy, Ahmad did not feel the need to drink as often and slowly became a more active and sociable person to be around. This change in Ahmad’s mood reflected on his twin daughters. With Ahmad’s rebound, the twins’ attitude in school also changed as they could now manage to see each other in the hallway or cafeteria without any fights breaking out.

It's hard to believe that almost 8 years have gone by since the death of Ahmad's parents. Ahmad finds it amazing how he managed to pull himself out of such a dark place, but knows Taylor was the glue who held him together and forced Ahmad into therapy.  Kristen and Aubrey have grown so quickly, they are now in their senior year of high school! So much has happened over these past years. Kristen always struggled with her academics, but Aubrey has been top of her classes almost every semester since Ahmad got better.  It wasn't until things settled down in the family that Kristen was given the attention she needed; her teachers spoke with Ahmad and Taylor and recommended Kristen be evaluated for special education services.  The testing revealed that Kristen has ADHD, so medication and an IEP was created right away.  Since services began, Kristen has been able to bring her grades up quite high, but can't seem to get on Aubrey's level.  But her parents were okay with this as they were just happy to see Kristen learning. Now that it is senior year the Nassar twins are looking at colleges and figuring out their next move, while Taylor and Ahmad worry about how they will be able to afford it.  Aubrey will surely get an academic scholarship, and Kristen may spend the first year at the local community college to improve her grades, but time will tell.  

72 years old. Wow. Ahmad and Taylor can hardly believe they have reached the age that one never thinks will actually come.  Where did all the time go? And the girls, well they are out of college and doing just fine.  Aubrey is working in her residency at a hospital in Baltimore, and Kristen is working as a special education teacher at an elementary school in Richmond.  Ahmad and Taylor are so proud of them both.  Ahmad has continued to struggle over the years, and his Lyme mixed with old age has proven to be most difficult.  A few years back, Ahmad was in so much pain while trying to get out of bed that when he stood he fell and broke his leg.  It was a very long recovery, and now he uses a cane to walk, but nonetheless he is alive and that is what matters.  Last winter was also another scare for the family. Ahmad was so sick he had to spend a week in the hospital! The whole family was very nervous, and this was the first time Taylor and Ahmad made a plan as to what will happen if Ahmad did pass.  The couple decided to sell their home for a smaller one-bedroom condo.  Through the sale of the home and their savings, they were able to make this purchase with minimal mortgage left, a great relief to both of them.  Ahmad and Taylor are enjoying their retirement and the time they have left with each other, and watching their children succeed in life is amazing.

Unfortunately, at age 80 Ahmad’s health quickly deteriorated. He was in and out of the hospital for heart issues, and his Lyme’s disease did not help his condition. He was very weak and the family eventually had to hire a full-time nurse to watch him 24 hours a day. At age 81 Ahmad passed away. His wife Taylor died a few years later. Their daughters were devastated but remembered how Ahmad dealt with his parents’ deaths and they decided to go to counseling immediately to help them cope through this difficult time.

Week Thirteen

Ahmad completed his internship with the company he was at and eventually they offered him a job. He often thought about returning to school for medicine, but was always dissuaded when he remembered how difficult college had been for him. He was comfortable in his job because he had been with the company already, so he did well in his position. The company knew that he was a hard worker even though he sometimes had problems with his Lyme. Ahmad was satisfied with his job and over the years built up his reputation within the company. He got promoted and was able to live comfortably on his salary.  It took him a few years after graduating college, but he eventually moved out of his parents’ house and into his own apartment in the same city. He still sees them often, and they are a good support system for him. Ahmad has a few close friends at work and sees them regularly. While Ahmad does still have some issues with social interaction, he was able to bond with his coworkers over their workplace. The people that he made the strongest connection with came to accept Ahmad for who he was.

During college, Ahmad lost touch with his religion. After a talk with his father, he decided to become more involved in the Muslim community around him where he also made some friends. His mother was fine with this as long as it was what Ahmad wanted. After some time, to his father’s delight, he began to date one of the women in this community. After a somewhat lengthy relationship, the couple split up due to mutual lack of love interest. The two remained friends after the breakup.

When Ahmad was well into his 30s, he began to date one of his coworkers that he had known since his internship in college. The two were decent friends before their relationship, and their relationship blossomed because of this. Eventually the two moved in together and became engaged. When Ahmad was 38, the two got married. His wife, Taylor, is very accepting of Ahmad’s Lyme. The two have known each other for so long that she doesn’t even notice his difficulties anymore; she just sees them as a part of him. She also understands his greater risk for degenerative mental disease later in life but is optimistic.

Now 46, Ahmad is still with Taylor. The two have a healthy relationship and twin girls, Kristen and Aubrey. They live in a house in a neighborhood near Ahmad’s parents. Ahmad and Taylor are both still working, and they are able to support their two children. Since Ahmad’s parents are close by, they watch Kristen and Aubrey while Ahmad and Taylor are at work. Ahmad’s parents love their grandchildren, but they are aging and it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to handle the kids. Still, for now, all is well with the Nassar family. 

Week Twelve

Ahmad can scarcely believe that he is about to graduate. After all that he has been through...

Ahmad received special education services to help him cope with the cognitive deficits he encountered owing to his Lyme disease. He was able to finish high school after staying for more than four years, and he attended the University of Florida. His path was not an easy one, and, at 25, he is a good bit older than most other students in his graduating class. Still, he has learned so much about himself and his unique needs. He would have liked to study medicine, but he just couldn't manage the intensity even with supports. His dad often told him that he could have done it if only...

Khalid and Sasha have managed to stay together, and Khalid has come to accept that his son has certain challenges because of the Lyme's disease. Most of these are socio-emotional in nature (Ahmad has a hard time with ordinary social interaction, a bit like Asperger's), but some are cognitive. Ahmad finds it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time, something that has made for several more years of schooling than would be typical for someone like him. Khalid and Ahmad have gotten closer as Khalid has come to accept his son's condition. Khalid has come to terms with his sense of shame and has been able to connect it to his upbringing. He has become more open to Sasha in general and to her worldview, and, as a result, Ahmad has a greater sense of comfort when he comes home.  

And so Ahmad is ready to get his diploma. He majored in finance and had an internship with a fairly large company. He is hoping for a job with them and hopes he will hear something in the next couple of months. 

* What resources are available for students with disabilities at most major universities? At JMU? What process must a student go through to receive services? Be thorough and specific. How many students with disabilities attend JMU? What kinds of disabilities are present?

* What resources in the community might support Ahmad as he transitions to life on his own? Look at information about Acquired Brain Injury for leads as to what might be helpful for Ahmad.  

* Cite information about the impact of Lyme's disease with regard to cognitive deficits that occur. What are Ahmad's prospects for living independently based on the statistics? You may also consider information on ABI/TBI.