Dear US Marine Corps Recruiter,
First off, I wanted to express how much my family and I support and appreciate those who put themselves in harm’s way and sacrifice time with their families while serving in the military. We have a special Veteran’s Day tradition that Neil started years ago, and we always remember that Memorial Day is not National BBQ Day. My great-grandfather served in World War I and my grandfather was a US Marine who served in World War II, of which I am especially proud. My father served in the military and so did my sons’ father. But Neil, my older son, cannot.
When you called last night as we were finishing up dinner, I was slightly amused by how you said, “May I speak with Neil, please?” For one thing, it’s very rare for him to receive phone calls outside of immediate family. Neil has autism, and while I know that that alone does not make him ineligible for the military (I did my research), he’s been in special education since the age of three and has a documented six-year emotional delay. I completely realize that you didn’t know any of that, and that you would have had no way of knowing that. I wanted to see what would happen if I put him on with you.
And he did great, didn’t he? You guys talked for about five minutes! He very clearly stated that his after-high-school plans were to move to Los Angeles, go to film school, and work for Disney. And you didn’t miss a beat in telling him that he could film documentaries for the Marines! I gotta hand it to you, you’re good. Neil, who loves military history, was pretty excited about that prospect, mostly because he thought that he could go straight out of high school to be a filmmaker for the Marines. That’s the way he thinks, and if you don’t tell him differently, how would he know? And he also didn’t know that having epilepsy makes him ineligible for being in the military. So that’s why he didn’t mention it when he was talking to you, and why, as he told me afterward, he was looking forward to talking with you again (since you told him you would call again).
Mr. Recruiter, if the school district allows the US Marine Corps to obtain a list of private citizens’ phone numbers so you can call them during the dinner hour, would they not also allow you to ask for a list of any students who have a Seizure Protocol on file? It certainly would have saved a lot of disappointment on my son’s part. He can’t drive, can’t take baths, has to limit screen time (which, as an aspiring filmmaker, is incredibly disappointing), and now he finds out he can’t be in the military. I know, he needed to find out anyway. I just wish he hadn’t gotten excited about it beforehand. So I told him last night, and he said that he wanted to tell you himself the next time you call. Because he still has his pride, even if he can’t be a Marine.
Thank you.
Neil’s Mom
I don’t even know what to say. My heart aches for you and for Neil.
Sweet Neil. I’m so sorry.
Obviously very disappointing and upsetting for Neil and his hopes for being a military film maker may have been ever-so elevated, but well done him for taking the call and for talking for so long! They should definitely co-ordinate their records better.
xx Jazzy
Oy. So sorry. Now I’m dreading that phone call, too.
My heart aches for you hugs to you both
He still has his pride. Sometimes, that’s all we can manage, and when it comes down to it, it’s the ultimate gift we can give ourselves. I have often wondered about how Kaeden would do in the military. I think, because of their regiment and strict scheduling, that it may be good for him. Of course, he also despises authority. Hmmm. I spoke to the military here a few years back and asked about their policy on autism. The guy I spoke with didn’t know, but gave me a contact person to call. I never called. Right now my son is in a 9 week program hospitalized in the psychiatric center. I don’t think that would bode to well for being accepted in the military.
Once our boys find their way in life, I have faith they will succeed. I have to hold onto that hope. Hugs, Tanya.
=(. i’m sorry. and i love neil.
I hope he calls back. Neil has so many reasons to be proud, starting with the respect he has for our military and the freedom they earned for us. And he can still film military documentaries in the future without having been an enlisted soldier.
With or without the Marines, I know Neil will remain Semper Fi…he gets that from his mom, even though his dad was the one that served in the military. :0)
And now, almost a year later, call number three?!!! C’mon, get your act together USMC!