winding down

 TJ had his last day of high school April 28th. He officially graduates June 7th

It is the strangest feeling that your son is done with school...done done. This last week he and his buddies have been bike riding, playing basketball, going out to eat and late nights hanging out wherever.

Two and a half months of freedom...to just chill and revel in the summer that is after high school before college. I can't even believe College is here. It's so exciting to hear where everyone is going. I ask all  his friends when they come over.

St Ambrose, U of I, Columbia, Western and Univ of CO, Boulder are where his close buds are going

TJ is set for NIU, aced his Math and Chemistry placements tests.  Can go straight to second semester sophomore levels for both. Still waiting on English results.

Im so excited for TJ to just enjoy the summer and work of course.

 Sunday TJ filmed the final scenes for "Family Values" We used a private to home to shoot in. The homeowner the sweetest lady ever at 94 yo, sat me down in her living room and told me all about her son that lives in LA. She spoke as though we had been friends forever. It was lovely, just lovely. She shared so much of her knowledge of the business with me.
It's surreal that all this is happening If it goes no further I w'll still feel honored to have been a part of it all. What a ride....fun and exciting. Have met some amazing people along the way. I am beyond thrilled for TJ. He is so not affected and nonchalant about it all. Might as well be going to McDonalds to flip burgers. He did say "Mom, she told me I was just beautiful" all shy like he's never heard it before. It was cute

Oh, her son? I'm sorry
Armyan Bernstein 

/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0077000/

  

Callahan turns 15

Cal age 2

Callahan Patrick McGinty turned 15 years old om March 16, 2014.

This sturdy little boy is now a 6 foot tall 135 lb Freshman. Cal was such a cute devilish and clever little boy.

He is more sweet than devilish these days with a cute and spunky red haired Irish girlfriend  of almost 2 years named Katie. Their birthday's are just 2 days apart. 

Callahan is still a creepy genius...I say creepy because he knows everything about everything. It's just not right.

My sweet Callahan made the Freshman volleyball team at GEHS. He has his 1st game next week. they practice M-F 3-6pm and Sat mornings 8-12

Happy Birthday my little man...words can't convey how much I love you.

Always stay sweet little man

The High Schoolers

I have 2 guys in high school. TJ is a senior and Callahan is a freshman. 

Never a dull moment with these two. They had me laughing all morning as they feed off each other. Im pretty sure Callahan will slide right by as he doesn't look like a freshman at 5'11 and he has 4 out of 7 sophmore and Junior classes

Research Inquiry & Experimentation- RISE

A few weeks ago I received an email from the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora asking if Callahan would be interested in a new pilot program called RISE.

It is a high level year long college readiness program for exceptional student entering grade 9-12.

Duh! YES, I replied

2 days ago I received an application invitation. I had Tim register Callahan immediately. My experience with the summer programs are, they fill up ASAP. Nowhere else that I am aware of caters to these students that rank nationally in the top 1 - 2 %.

Callahan said he is up for the challenge.

I don't have all the information on this program, but what I do know is
it starts in 2 weeks

Program description: This year long course is intended for students who are interested in pursing a higher level year long, in depth study in a scienctific topic of their choosing. Succesful students in this course with be self-motivated and independent learners. The course will give student an opportunity to participate in a community of scientific research and scholarship

Course benefits

1.  Learn skills necessary to to conduct independent research and report your findings

2.  Choose a topic of your own interest

3.  Collaborate with other high school students involved in independent research and connect with a          research expert in your field of inguiry as an e-mentor

5.  Conduct authentic research

6.  Present your findings at various reginal/ state venus

7.  Select colleges and universities are seeking independent research experience 

     from top candidates

This should be an interesting and defining year for my Callahan

Concussion's are a big deal...one mothers journey

FYI Update

2-10-202 TJ has "Post concussive syndrome" not SIS, Im not changing the post

On Oct 5th TJ suffered a double concussion during football practice. Below is my account of the 1st three weeks 

http://mcgintyfive.blogspot.com/2011/10/football-season-cut-short-for-tj.html

He suffered from horrible headaches, dizziness, confusion, fuzzy peripheral and short term memory loss. He was unable to attend school, so he was provided a home tutor by the school paid for by the state
I'm going to try to summarize the last the last 21 days out of 39 and counting and then keep a current journal here.
I am not a medical professional, this is only my story of my sons injury. Every concussion is different, no 2 are the same. Please check with your own doctor as I am not giving medical advice.
The Neurologist says TJ suffered a double concussion in a 10 min span. What makes concussions so dangerous is when you suffer a 2nd blow before the 1st one has healed 100%. There has been so much news about the damage football players have due to getting hit and jumping back into action before they are healed
(all sports are included, Im just going with my personal experience-football)

NFL coming to grips with concussions

Similar to professional boxers, long-time NFL players are at risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, due to continually sustaining brain trauma. The NFL began issuing guidelines concerning concussions in 2007, according to Bloomberg, but many former players protest that the league doesn’t do enough to assist those with the most debilitating injuries.

In 2010, the NFL admitted that concussions put former players at risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, memory loss, dementia and other neurological symptoms. Former professional football players are especially at risk for developing mild cognitive impairment, commonly referred to as MCI. MCI is a common precursor to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. A 2008 survey by the NFL of former players over the age of 50 included surveys for their spouses to complete. Of those who responded, it was noted that 35 percent had some form of cognitive impairment.

'Sam Hoober August 19, 2011  Newsytype.com'

It was most likely TJ's second blow that put him over.

A recap:
 Wed,10-5-2011 TJ plays wide receiver for his sophomore high school football team. During a routine after school practice, TJ was slammed from behind, a helmet to helmet hit. TJ slammed to the ground and remembers everything going to a dream like state. He remembers people asking if he was okay. Although shaky and confused TJ got up and continued to play. About 10 minutes later TJ was running with the ball and hit full force helmet to helmet (front to front) tripped and slammed his head to the ground again. All in all it was 2 brutal helmet hits and 2 head hits to the ground. TJ again remembers getting up all confused and kinda hiding in the back of the pack dazed. It is believed he did not lose consciousness.

Why didn't the coaches pull him out, I don't know. TJ was clearly too impaired to make any judgments after the initial blow

My girlfriend drove TJ home and commented to me that 'he just didn't looked right'. I was getting take out with Tim when TJ called me, I immediately knew something was wrong. His speech was off almost like he was stoned
 "mom, I think I have a concussion"
TJ's eyes were red and glossy, he had funny colored circles under each eye and he was dazed. We watched him closely and he went to bed as usual.

The next morning 
10-6-2011 TJ woke up, took some Advil and got dressed for school. After school he went to football practice. I had text the coach about what was going on and said I wanted TJ to see the trainer and have the IMPACT test. TJ saw the trainer, was not given the test, but was told to sit out and watch the practice (which means stand and watch). I don't know if the head coach relayed my message or if they wait to do the impact test when all signs and symptoms are gone. TJ was an absolute wreck when he came home from practice and I had to make a "mom" decision to pull him from "standing on the sidelines to watch a 2 1/2 hr practice which is strongly encouraged" TJ kept telling me "Mom, make sure you tell all the coaches that this is your decision, not mine"  I'm sure the coaches were pissed, as to this day (day 39) not one has called or reached out to us. The trainer and Athletic coordinator have called

TJ's reaction shows me kids are still considered "a sissy" or not a true football player if they don't jump back into battle. TFB (too fucking bad) is my thought...parents are the only true advocate for their children. Coaches do not always have the best interests of the child in mind 

Fri, 10-7-2100- I got an emergency appointment with the pediatrician who ordered a STAT CT with STAT results. CT was normal
That day I realized that TJ had short term memory loss when he called me and asked me a question that we had gone over 2 hrs prior ( did I tell his coach and how were we getting to the game that evening)
TJ wanted to watch that night game in West Chicago. The last thing I wanted was TJ on the bus being banged around so I drove him and stayed with him, as I had already lost faith in the coaches to take care of my son. ( I get that they would be busy with the game) The trainer did come talk to me and TJ didn't tell him how bad it was when he saw him. He til this day is on my good list. He has called the home to check on TJ and quickly returns my calls. I was afraid for TJ standing on the sidelines...I had him stand further back. I don't believe he had the reflex ability to move if someone was tackled on the sidelines.We had to leave the game early as TJ got a severe headache and extremely dizzy.
The next 2 weeks TJ did not attend school. His signs and symptoms just got worse.

1. severe headaches
2. dizziness
3. nausea
4. blurred peripheral vision 
5. short term memory
6. confusion
7. extreme light sensitivity
8. extreme sensitivity to movement around him
9. 
   

In the mean time TJ's school counselor set up a home tutor and put a plan of action in place. She has been incredible! Keeping all teachers in the loop and providing everything possible to accommodate TJ. TJ's tutor came every morning at 9am...the 1st session was only 20 min as TJ's brain couldn't handle it. Headaches set in and words jumped around. Hank, the tutor has a lot of experience with kids and concussions. He recommended Marionjoy for rehab. 

Tue, 10-25-2011-The Neurologist came in a hour early to see TJ  (he was booked a month out) due to the severity of the injury. I really liked the doctor he put TJ on Amitriptyline now used to treat migraines and concussions. I was told to schedule an MRI with contrast. The doc agreed with sending TJ to Marionjoy for a Neuro-psych evaluation. The MRI was negative



next up: TJ has become a prisoner of his room 
Marionjoy Rehab

Homecoming proposal from the worlds best boyfriend

MaryMcgintyPhotography

630-863-1061

I had no idea that one needed to be creative when asking someone to the Homecoming dance . TJ mentioned it to me on Thursday and I asked one of my bosses Friday if she heard of this custom. Yes, they do it at Deerfield HS too. I thought it was reserved just for Prom, but I guess times have changed

 There were many proposals during the varsity football game Friday night.

 I talked to my girlfriend for some ideas at baseball today as Willowbrook's homecoming was last night. 

After TJ's double header we headed out to shop

TJ picked out the flowers, card and balloons, it was just the sweetest thing ever!

While he jumped in the shower I made the sign and got Karrick dressed in his 

"stud suit"

We drove over to Alexis' house and parked around the corner. TJ with his card and vase of flowers hid on one side of her house. I was on the other side camera ready. Karrick was at the bottom of the front porch steps holding the sign. Tj texted Alexis and told her to come outside. All she saw was Karrick holding the sign and a balloon bouquet . TJ would appear when she screamed (all HS girls scream) and she didn't fail us.

 Karrick was just thrilled to be "in" on the proposal and I'm seriously thinking of renting him out for next year

 Karrick getting a hug was like winning the lottery

 Look at the card in TJ's hand. TJ sent Alexis' mom a message on facebook letting her in on the surprise as we didn't have her cell #. She was armed with her camera from inside.

As I was snapping pictures the tears were flowing. To see my boy doing something so romantic filled my heart with joy. TJ is so comfortable and open with his emotions that it created such "a moment" that neither of them will ever forget

 they are seriously the cutest couple ever, 9 months strong. I get choked up looking at the pictures. I am proud that my son is a hopeless romantic and loves doing sweet things for his girlfriend 

my little pitcher

Today TJ had his 2nd high school baseball game GO RAMS, anyway TJ was starting pitcher today. He pitched 5 innings out of 7...91 pitches!. First of all TJ has never pitched more than 2 or 3 innings in his life. This is also the first time he pitched 60.6 feet, mound to plate. TJ has only pitched 54 feet because he is almost a year younger than his classmates therefore has to play with his age in travel (8th graders) TJ won't be 15 until sophomore year.

I mention this because it is a big deal to pitch that much and that far for him. He had one rough inning, but never let it bother him and he totally recovered to continue pitching 3 more innings...which is HUGE!

Sadly we lost by 3 runs, but played a pretty good game. I think that some are suffering from high school baseball nerves.

How cute is my little boy who is almost a man

TJ made the high school A baseball team

Today TJ was informed that he made the "A" team for Glenbard East's Freshman Baseball team...was I surprised?...No....was I worried sick for the last month...Yes

Time to sit back and relax...never in this house!

TJ's 1st game is Wednesday at 4:30... of course it is, you want to know why?

because Karrick's 7th birthday party is Wednesday at 5:30...sure the Hell is

18 kids are coming to Xtreme Trampolines in Carol Stream. Tim will go to the game.

Oh, but that's not all...it never is

Today TJ's agent called....he has a commercial audition Wed at 3:00.....downtown

Aarrgh!

I explained about the birthday party and asked if there was anyway we could get an earlier call time. I would gladly pull TJ out of school early on that day, because I am only 1 person. Thank God we were able to get a 12:15 call...whew! Just enough time to shoot downtown, audition, get home in time to pick up Karrick from school at 3:15, get his cake and get ready to head to Carol Stream for the party....Whoops, and get TJ to his game of course. At least A team plays at home on Wed...B is away

I really need TJ to book this commercial because it shoots in Orlando... Hot sunny Orlando...I really need to go to Orlando...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LET TJ BOOK THIS JOB....FOR ME, FOR MY SANITY

It's a 3 day shoot and I'm sure 85 games will be scheduled for those 3 days...I'm not even going to look at the schedule

It is suppose to rain on Wednesday....wouldn't that be nice..huh huh :)

Than TJ can go to his brothers party and I can go to TJ's first high school game of his life the next week 

By the way we had to turn down the callback for the Columbia College movie...TJ would not be able to commit 100% 

Movie or baseball career?

I have been in a panic lately, with a few full blown anxiety attacks. I have crazy dreams and wake up a few times a night. Why, you ask?...entirely too many things are starting to come together for my TJ, It's all good things and as parents we want our kids to have it all, but no matter which way I add it up I'm coming up short.

TJ has been waiting a long time to play high school ball...well, he got the chance. TJ officially made the team on Thursday. We won't find out if it is the A or B team for 3 more weeks. Ordinarily, it wouldn't matter

but...

This semester TJ took Intro to Drama to fulfill an easy elective requirement. Turns out it is his favorite class and he really wants to join drama and be in the school play. He is playing baseball, so he will have to wait until next winter, when football is over. He is also thinking about drama in college in addition to baseball and pre-med...whatever...

Last April Lily's Talent signed TJ in anticipation of him growing and being an adult model for them. TJ waited very patiently for almost a year watching Callahan book job after job. Last month TJ had 2 movie auditions at Columbia college...one of them he received a callback and made it to the final 2...we really thought he booked it, but the casting director said, and I quote:

"While TJ is exceptionally talented, the director feels that he isn't quite ready for the role of "Garrett."

We really appreciate the time you spent bringing him to the audition and I hope that I can keep his head shot and resume in my files so that I can email you about any further work I feel he might be interested in'

I think it came down to experience, TJ just doesn't have enough...yet

.. A week ago TJ had an another audition at Columbia by the same director for a different movie. Plus, this week his agent called to say TJ was one of 3 boys from Lily's that was chosen to audition for a NBC Pilot called REM starring Jason Isaacs.(click on REM to go to Jason page then click on REM in pre production, then click on 9 news articles to see plot) If he got the show, they would fly us to LA to shoot the Pilot over spring break. If the pilot got picked up TJ would have a recurring role...in LA.

My fear was "Holy crap, what if he got it"

not "ah, he won't get it"

See now where the anxiety kicks in? I do have a job and 2 other kids. Tim works many hours.

Scale pay for this would cover 4 years of college.

TJ had the audition on Thursday, for REM he feels he did well. there were probably 12 teens total auditioning. No info was given and no callback dates posted....so we are in limbo.

Jump to TJ making the baseball team....honestly if A or B were chosen that would help with all these decisions...except LA...he would go to LA.

Yesterday, I received an email from the director from Columbia college saying " We would like to see TJ next Saturday at 2 pm (TJ got a callback)...memorize 4 new pages of script"...movie will shoot around spring Break and the week after.

Baseball practice- Mon-Fri 7-9pm and 1-3 on Saturday's.

With a freaking pounding heart yesterday , I emailed the director from Columbia asking for the schedule of practice times as I needed to make sure TJ can commit 100% to the movie with baseball.

I honestly expected a "we'll call you for the next movie when TJ isn't in sports"

NOOOO, I got a nice reply saying "it shoots around spring Break and we will fit in the rehearsals around the 2 main characters schedules....Aarrgh! TJ being a main character (potentially)

We should say "No" to the movie, but here is my selfish thinking. 24 kids tried out for baseball...3 were not good and should have been cut. They kept all 24 to have 2 full teams.(very low turnout) TJ is battling one other boy for A team short stop...only 1 will get it and the other will go to B.

If 100 kids tried out and they took the top 24 A/B team....who cares? But a B team with 3 crappy players...is a crappy team. I'm just being honest here.

See my "stuck in limbo" predicament? Do we turn down callback? and hope he gets on A? Do we commit to both and them plunge a knife in my chest if the pilot pans out after committing to Columbia and baseball?

Of, course non of this is life or death, but each choice can alter his future, Not to mention I don't want to burn any bridges for TJ

TJ is a very talented actor we are finding out....coincidently in the pilot and the Columbia college movie TJ would play a teenager that just lost his mom. He almost had me in tears when we did lines. He can make his voice crack and he can cry on cue.

There are just too many "What if's" here

Aarrgh!!!

My TJ, a Glenbard East Baseball playing Ram

Congratulations to my #18

TJ is officially a member of the Glenbard East Rams Baseball Team

Glenbard East High School Baseball try outs

It all started here at Maple Park, a little boy threw on sun glasses and picked up a bat and hasn't put it down yet

TJ started playing baseball in kindergarten at age 5 in Oak Park. He put his mitt on the wrong hand, wore soccer cleats and didn't know the game.  TJ got up every morning before school, went in the back yard and hit ball after ball off the tee. Every spare moment was spent playing baseball...TJ was determined. That first year he won the sportsmanship award and was nicknamed Hollywood because he was stuck in right field and had to wear sun glasses to see the ball

By age 6 he was an All-star, by age 8 he was playing 8U travel.

TJ continued to play in-house, travel and Fall ball every year. In the winter he takes private pitching lessons.

That little boy is now a big boy, 14 years old and trying out for the Freshman Baseball team. Try-outs are everyday this week Mon-Fri from 7-9 pm. His week consists of school, homework, dinner and baseball. He is tired, but still gives 100%. So far he feels good about his performance. He said the coach pulled him aside and told him he was doing a great job. Nothing in high school is a guarantee and I am making sure TJ takes nothing for granted. Michael Jordan didn't make his sophomore basketball  team

There is an A and  B team. TJ said he doesn't care which team he gets on, he just wants to play ball, which shows me he is playing for the right reason...for the love of the game.

I honestly can't imagine him not making either team, but things happen

Good Luck to my little man

a present from TJ

My TJ finished his 1st semester of high school. He had 4 finals today and 3 tomorrow. Today after work we drove to Glenbard East and picked up his wood shop project. He had to make...ALL BY HIMSELF this end table. The wood shop studio is pretty darn impressive; a warehouse size classroom with industrial size machines and tools. TJ took the class to fulfill one of the required electives and ended up really enjoying the class. It didn't hurt that one of his football coach's was the teacher.

Why do we have a weight lifting mat in the living room? It's a cushion for the constant pounding from Xbox Kinect sports

The life of a high school athlete

It hit me like a freight train or maybe more like a bullet between the eyes as I lay on my teenagers floor,  head first, waist deep under his bed at 5:00 am...AM people! I have completely lost my mind. I must of still been asleep as I crawled under TJ's bed to look for his gloves.
 A simple "mom, while I get ready (translation: fix my hair just so...) would you grab my glove from under my bed?" 

What seemed like a simple request was really a calculated trick
"I'll get her before she's had her coffee...hehehe"

"I may sleep on that bed, but I'm not stupid..."

I momentarily pause as I get on my knees as a wall of teenager stench hits me, I move one leg in side out dirty jeans, yesterday's damp towel, a few AXE soaked shirts just so I can get to the underside of the bed. Once down, I enter the abyss of dirty socks, food wrappers, cords...so many random cords, dust covered books, baseballs, a stuffed jaguar, pens, pencils, crumpled papers, sticky this and sticky that, dust balls the size of hamsters...the list goes on

What am I looking for?...Oh, batting gloves

As my right sinus starts to burn and my right eye tears up the freight train hits

Hell Fucking No!

 not sure if it's my voice or my therapists voice screaming back at me.

I bang my head trying to navigate backwards out of Satan's den.

 "TJ, are you kidding me, I can't find gloves in that Hell Hole"

"No mom my mitt, it's right here...sorry"

Guess what? It's high school baseball conditioning time..YAY

Every Tuesday and Thursday  from 5:30 - 7am. No joke

Why in the morning?

 Because we are still football conditioning Mon-Thur 2:45-4pm for NEXT YEARS FALL FOOTBALL SEASON! 

Duh! Makes perfect sense

Driving down Main street at 5:20 am in the dark frozen 10 degree morning, I see the random car add to what looks like a ghost town. By the time we reach Glenbard East HS there is a line of cars dropping of their future stars. We all nod at each other with the implied  "Are we out of our minds?"  That same line of cars heads back to Main street...some head south, me and my group head north...slowly losing a car every couple of blocks until I'm back where I started...that lone car driving down Main street at 5:20 am in the dark frozen 10 degree morning...except it is 5:35 am 

So I write this at 6am while the house is still asleep, coffee next to me. Just an fyi...my right sinus is still burning as I wipe a tear from my eye...not the nostalgic tear

The tear of an irritated sinus clogged with teenager dust balls.

The life of a high school athlete should read "The life of a parent of a high school athlete"