I just wanted to send an email to say a big thank you to you all. I brought my little boy Ollie this morning to have his check up with you. Ollie has complex special needs and is non verbal, sometimes our trips to the dentist can be a nightmare, even on these occasions your team go above and beyond to reassure me and him with a caring , gentle attitude and allow him the time and space for him to feel as comfortable as he can.
This morning I left and burst into tears in the car…. happy tears don’t worry!! it was our best visit yet, from the lovely ladies on reception desk greeting us nicely and when he bolted, just going with it and following me with the iPad so I could both catch him and sign his forms. To Cody and I am so ashamed to say I can not remember the Dentists name as this is only the second time seeing her in the practice but all of them made me feel like even if it had all gone wrong we would have been ok.
This was the first time in a long time I braved coming on my own with him, he actually came in calmly and just watched the fish and then followed Cody to the room, where they gave him 5 mins to just wander round and get a feel for the room. They were gentle, caring, understanding and patient with him and followed his lead.
This might seem like nothing to you guys and that you are just doing your jobs but from a special needs mum 8 years into this I can assure you what you did today is not the norm even in health care roles and settings unfortunately and the impact on how you were and the difference it made to me and Ollie is one I can not put into words. I am beyond grateful to you all, I am beyond proud of Ollie and not only have I told absolutely everyone who will listen how amazing the team were and how good he did, I really wanted to pass on my thanks personally to you again too.
People aren’t always kind, people aren’t always understanding and we get more dirty looks, tuts and nasty comments than you would imagine a lot of the time even in basic every day tasks and appointments. I left today with Ollie feeling 6 feet tall and that we could take on the world and although some of that is because Ollie just bossed it but the majority of that is down to you and your team just being absolutely amazing!!!
So Thank you Thank you Thank you what an incredible team you are!!!!
Steph Lambe & Oliver Langley xx
