adult

adjective

1.having attained full size and strength; grown up; mature: an adult person, animal, or plant.

2. of, pertaining to, or befitting adults.

3. intended for adults; not suitable for children: adult entertainment.

noun

4. a person who is fully grown or developed or of age.

5. a full-grown animal or plant.

6. a person who has attained the age of maturity as specified by law.

Nineteen (19) is the age of majority ("when minors cease to legally be considered children and assume control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over and for them”) as recognized in law where we live. For the majority it is the age when you become an adult or are no longer considered a child. For. The. Majority. Three words that make all the difference in Riley World.

Age is just a chronological number in Riley World. A number, in those early years, that would cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for me. Yes me. A number associated with so many benchmarks and milestones that Riley World never participated in.

Physically? Yes. R would be considered an adult. If you saw R walking down the street you would not think twice. Ok perhaps you might look twice especially if he were doing his “Mario” walk or scripting from a favourite Disney movie otherwise…probably not.

Yet there is so much more to consider when you have a special needs child who turns the age of majority. For us Riley will not be going to post-secondary school. Riley will not be getting a driver’s license. However Riley will be doing things differently just as he always has.

We do hope that eventually Riley will be able to get some type of meaningful work. We do hope that Riley will someday be able to live semi-independently apart from us. We do have a lot of work ahead of us. Hold me. *sob sob*

In the meantime at 19 when the majority of kids are ready to go out and celebrate at their local “drinking establishment” Riley celebrated at home with family. We surprised him with his list of about a dozen DVD's and 2 cases and a six pack…of soda pop. After almost 15 years living in Riley World as long as Riley is happy...we are happy. I will let you be the judge…do you think he was happy??