Advice, please help...

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My 26 month old son was diagnosed with moderate autism in November. He has the speech capacity of a 12 month old and they think he may have a genetic condition that is partially to blame due to some oral/facial anomalies. We've been waiting since November for an appt. with Genetics. It would have been longer, but we got lucky. Now apparently some of the conditions associated with the specific facial features my son has can be associated with some very serious illnesses and issues.

The trip is about an hour and a half in good weather. Currently it is 9 degrees here and there is a winter storm forecasted to bring 8 inches of snow and up to an inch thick layer of ice due to the temperature rising, then falling again tomorrow. I could leave today and stay in a hotel there, but we'll probably be there two nights and still have a heck of a scary mess to drive home in. Or I could cancel and wait until the end of March for him to be seen.

Either way I feel as if I am compromising his safety; the drive is going to be dangerous, but waiting may be dangerous too, and I would NEVER forgive myself if something happened to him because I didn't go. Then again, if we get in a wreck and something happens to him (the tires on my vehicle need replaced too) then I would also never be able to forgive myself.

The worry, the huge decision weighing on me, and my plans changing are a nightmare being that I am an aspie myself.

I'm not sure where you're at but if it's anything like it is here... March may not be any better weather wise. Take it slow. It doesn't matter when you get there... just as long as you get there.

I really hate that weather has to be a factor at all. If I had my way of it, I wouldn't live anywhere NEAR the snowbelt.

>>associated with some very serious illnesses and issues.

does immediate intervention for these issues make any difference long term?

if not wait it out.

If so, rent a 4x4 if you don't have one and drive slow.

You obviously have internet.

IF THE ILLNESS IS SPREADING/LIFE THREATENING IN THE SHORT TERM...
1. Contact an appropriate doctor by phone or email.
2. Ask what checks and tests need to be made
3. If some can be made visually, get the camera out, take photos and email.
4. Follow up with phone calls asap.
5. If necessary go to local place to get lab samples done - have them send them to the Dr.

If the condition can wait - then take the safer route.

Alternatively, could you use public transport - a train if it's available?

It would be much safer than driving yourself.

What kind of car do you have? Are you good at driving in winter weather? Do you have a cell phone (in case of emergency)?

I've done a lot of driving in all kinds of winter weather. Even when I had a rear-wheel-drive car, I was fine. I used snow tires and took some of the air out for improved traction. Going slowly helps, as does knowing how to steer on a slippery road, and how to brake safely in those conditions. Bring warm clothes, lots of warm blankets, water, and snacks in case you do get stranded.

I must say the same...

use a webcam if possible too... webcam meetings are good too..

You have wonderful ideas, thank you. The decision to go to tomorrow's appointment has been taken from my hands. Apparently when I asked them to tenatively hold the March one in case I had to cancel due to weather, the DID cancel the appointment for tomorrow. Sigh. Shortly thereafter, Ronald McDonald House called and told me a room opened up for us too. If only I would have known this two hours ago. I'm going to call first thing tomorrow and see if the doctor could "meet with me" by phone since I did have an appt. scheduled. Maybe they can order the bloodwork via local labs. I have a bunch of photos online and I can send her links to them so she can "see" my son. I'm sure she can take my history via phone or a mail-in form too. This was a really good idea Gavin, thank you.

To everyone else, thank you too. I do have a a 4 wheel drive, but this does me no good on icy roads - in 9 degree weather you slide regardless. Even road salt stops doing it's job properly when it's this cold Since we live in the Middle Of Freakin Nowhere, there is no public transportation from here to where I need to go - 70 miles away. Bus lines run, but I'd have a long drive even to a bus station.