I read a lot of blogs written by moms and dads of kids with Down syndrome. It's a form of therapy for me to see the lovely faces of the (usually) smiling kiddos, surrounded by their loved ones, going about their very "normal" lives. If I can ever get my act together, I'll post pix to this blog and make it more public so others can see my lovely kiddo too. She really is a charmer.
I posted recently about her behavioral challenges. That is a big issue in our lives, but only one small portion of who she is and what her life is about. She is also friendly, a dog lover, obsessed with Veggie Tales, enamored of anything pink, up for adventure at all times, a great hiking companion, an ever improving talker and reader; and someone who will brighten your day at the drop of a hat. I could go on, but then I'd be boasting. I know other moms and dads out there are pleased with their own lists of what their kids can do too. And, when I say that, I do not mean only the so-called abilities of their children. All children offer something to the world, no matter how complicated their lives seem to be to outsiders looking in.
We've all been reading more and more on the topic of the high rate of abortions in prenatally diagnosed babies with Down syndrome. Up to 90 percent is the latest statistic I've seen. What this suggests is that there are far too many expectant parents out there who do not have a clue what Down syndrome is and how it can affect the child the mother is carrying. They have no knowledge of the broad range of "abilities" in this community, and they will miss out on the many gifts their child will bring to them, no matter what. This also suggests an EPIC FAIL (otherwise known as a total failure, or a failure of spectacular proportions) on the part of the medical establishment to offer accurate information and supportive advice to the parents when delivering the prenatal diagnosis. What is wrong with this picture? Why aren't doctors and other caregivers trained to understand that the diagnosis of Down syndrome is absolutely not a reason to terminate? I won't even go there in terms of prenatal diagnoses that mean certain death, and/or extremely, medically fragile and complicated lives. If you believe abortion is wrong, then it is wrong in all cases, no matter what. If you believe a mother should have the right to choose, then by all means, make damn sure she has the information and support with which to make an informed choice.
I cannot speak to what it would feel like to receive a prenatal diagnosis. I had an ultrasound at 20 weeks that appeared "normal" and then, later, out popped little Miss, 9 days early, ready and willing to give me the education I needed to be her Mom, and opening my heart to all others in this world who come into the world with extra struggles.
I'm so tired of hearing of parents who terminate because they just know they couldn't handle a child with "special needs." Trust me, every child has "special needs." They will all test us, challenge us in ways we could not have imagined before becoming parents, and break our hearts at times. To try to shelter yourself from "imperfection," is to refuse to live, to refuse to embrace what it is to be fully alive.
I would not trade my child for anything, well, make that both my children, even the so-called typical one (!); and I would not change them if I could. What I would change is the culture around us that sends out a message that we can somehow live lives free from challenges, filled with "perfect" children, and never having to face an uphill battle. That is a fairy tale that none of us have actually experienced, and it's time to move on and to embrace human diversity in all its many, wondrous forms. We are truly all wonderfully made.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The quiet desperation of behavioral challenges
One of the reasons I haven't been posting, and may not get this blog off the ground at all, is that I've been working quite a bit on trying to figure out why little one's behavior is so challenging at times, and what to do to support her at those moments. Last school year, both when she was in public school briefly, and when I homeschooled her, I was going down the path of trying to figure out, and then get her diagnosed if necessary, with ADHD. This year my thinking has changed and now I'm researching SPD - Sensory Processing Disorder. The two conditions share some symptoms and manifestations, but they are treated differently. Some day when I have time maybe I'll write more on this, but for now, I'd like to focus on what dealing with either of these potential conditions, in addition to Down syndrome, has done to my daughter, myself and other people in her life. We have good days, great days in fact at times, and then we'll go through a pattern of frustrating, non-compliant, achingly awful days. Those days I struggle with horrible thoughts at times, wondering why I am stuck in this life, why she can't just do better, and how much I want to flee the situation, if even for a little while. The other day, after a rough day at school, with multiple instances of running away from her aid and others, then inability to work at all at Speech therapy, then a breakdown at Yoga class; I just wanted to get out and away. I thought about leaving for a while when my husband got home, but it was pouring rain and I ended up just staying home and dealing with it. It's funny because my husband said, "Why don't you go to (a local restaurant/bar) and have a drink?" I think he was kidding! I haven't even been in a real bar in decades and don't intend to start having a drink for relaxation and falling off the deep end of the slippery slope! I don't think it's wise to "medicate" borderline depression with alcohol, but I know he meant well!
When Marisa was in preschool, a 2 day/week Early Intervention program, she was placed as the only girl in a class with 6 boys, several of whom had some pretty severe "behaviors." I questioned the placement at the time and was told that's all they had to offer. Things were going along okay and then suddenly, towards the end of the school year, her teacher (who had also been her Case Manager since she was 2 months old) informed me that Marisa had been overly aggressive towards several of the kids in the class. She was concerned that Marisa had an underlying behavioral disorder. This came as a complete shock to me because, although she could be somewhat rough at home, and often pushed, pinched, or otherwise got into our personal space, she had never been what I would term overly aggressive. This happened on two days in the classroom. I went in to observe 2 days and during that time Marisa did nothing negative at all towards the other kids. Another ESD employee, a man whose specialty is working with kids with challenging behaviors observed as well and he and I came to the conclusion that the aggressive behavior was just, in his terms, "a blip." After that, though, I severed ties with ESD. I did not want to continue to have her in that classroom. One thing that is very well documented in people with Down syndrome is their great (and sadly often to their detriment) skill at modeling behavior. I know some of the boys in that class had aggressive tendencies, and although I do not judge them, I had to get her out of there. She spent 2 more years in preschool but at a wonderful Montessori, not close to home but well worth the drive. She continued to have behavioral challenges, mostly personal space issues (not so much aggressive tendencies) and non-compliance, but that particular Montessori accepts kids with disabilities and the staff, kids and parent community were truly wonderful. Marisa thrived there overall. Her lead teacher has much experience with ADHD and she agreed with me that we might be adding on that diagnosis.
Cut to what is going on now. Right now I can't even remember who or what clued me in to the possibility that we are dealing with Sensory issues and not ADHD. I'm going to a workshop next month on supporting kids with SPD, and have lots of resources to look through to help determine whether or not it is present. The more I read and hear about it, though, the more it seems to fit, including even the incident in Early Intervention. Kids with SPD tend to be either over-responsive, or under-responsive (Sensory Seeking) to certain sensations. It's not generally black or white with these kids and they may share symptoms of being either under or over-responsive. There is a whole checklist of sensory symptoms and I need to sit down and consider it carefully in terms of how my daughter fits the profile. I checked with a specialist online and asked if a person could have a mild case of SPD because Marisa shows clear signs of some of the symptoms but doesn't fit at all with others. The therapist told me yes, you can have mild SPD and still be affected by it.
I like the saying "Behavior is Communication." I heard if from a wonderful behaviorist, David Pitonyak. He spoke at our local support group's annual inclusion conference a couple of years ago. I agree with him that the way we present ourselves, in good and no so good ways, is a form of communication. I think Marisa is trying to communicate her sensitivity to certain stimuli and am sad that it has taken me so long to realize that! One of the problems with having a diagnosed developmental disability is that there can also be factors in place that go unrecognized. Only fairly recently have doctors and therapists recognized that people with Down syndrome can also be on the Austism Spectrum, or have ADHD. It is known that people with Down syndrome often have sensory issues, but it's hard to figure out to what degree and how best to treat them.
So as I continue on this quest to figure out the best way to support my daughter, I've been having a tough time keeping up with every other matter in an already complicated life. There is still good news in all of this, though. Marisa is often times a funny, sunny, charming, loving and very bright individual. As low as I slide some days when all seems dark, I am comforted by the fact that her behavioral challenges are just one piece of her wonderful persona. She reminds me daily why I will never fail to fight for what she needs. She is worth all the effort.
When Marisa was in preschool, a 2 day/week Early Intervention program, she was placed as the only girl in a class with 6 boys, several of whom had some pretty severe "behaviors." I questioned the placement at the time and was told that's all they had to offer. Things were going along okay and then suddenly, towards the end of the school year, her teacher (who had also been her Case Manager since she was 2 months old) informed me that Marisa had been overly aggressive towards several of the kids in the class. She was concerned that Marisa had an underlying behavioral disorder. This came as a complete shock to me because, although she could be somewhat rough at home, and often pushed, pinched, or otherwise got into our personal space, she had never been what I would term overly aggressive. This happened on two days in the classroom. I went in to observe 2 days and during that time Marisa did nothing negative at all towards the other kids. Another ESD employee, a man whose specialty is working with kids with challenging behaviors observed as well and he and I came to the conclusion that the aggressive behavior was just, in his terms, "a blip." After that, though, I severed ties with ESD. I did not want to continue to have her in that classroom. One thing that is very well documented in people with Down syndrome is their great (and sadly often to their detriment) skill at modeling behavior. I know some of the boys in that class had aggressive tendencies, and although I do not judge them, I had to get her out of there. She spent 2 more years in preschool but at a wonderful Montessori, not close to home but well worth the drive. She continued to have behavioral challenges, mostly personal space issues (not so much aggressive tendencies) and non-compliance, but that particular Montessori accepts kids with disabilities and the staff, kids and parent community were truly wonderful. Marisa thrived there overall. Her lead teacher has much experience with ADHD and she agreed with me that we might be adding on that diagnosis.
Cut to what is going on now. Right now I can't even remember who or what clued me in to the possibility that we are dealing with Sensory issues and not ADHD. I'm going to a workshop next month on supporting kids with SPD, and have lots of resources to look through to help determine whether or not it is present. The more I read and hear about it, though, the more it seems to fit, including even the incident in Early Intervention. Kids with SPD tend to be either over-responsive, or under-responsive (Sensory Seeking) to certain sensations. It's not generally black or white with these kids and they may share symptoms of being either under or over-responsive. There is a whole checklist of sensory symptoms and I need to sit down and consider it carefully in terms of how my daughter fits the profile. I checked with a specialist online and asked if a person could have a mild case of SPD because Marisa shows clear signs of some of the symptoms but doesn't fit at all with others. The therapist told me yes, you can have mild SPD and still be affected by it.
I like the saying "Behavior is Communication." I heard if from a wonderful behaviorist, David Pitonyak. He spoke at our local support group's annual inclusion conference a couple of years ago. I agree with him that the way we present ourselves, in good and no so good ways, is a form of communication. I think Marisa is trying to communicate her sensitivity to certain stimuli and am sad that it has taken me so long to realize that! One of the problems with having a diagnosed developmental disability is that there can also be factors in place that go unrecognized. Only fairly recently have doctors and therapists recognized that people with Down syndrome can also be on the Austism Spectrum, or have ADHD. It is known that people with Down syndrome often have sensory issues, but it's hard to figure out to what degree and how best to treat them.
So as I continue on this quest to figure out the best way to support my daughter, I've been having a tough time keeping up with every other matter in an already complicated life. There is still good news in all of this, though. Marisa is often times a funny, sunny, charming, loving and very bright individual. As low as I slide some days when all seems dark, I am comforted by the fact that her behavioral challenges are just one piece of her wonderful persona. She reminds me daily why I will never fail to fight for what she needs. She is worth all the effort.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
New Year, new lease on life
Not sure what happened back in October that made me take such a long break, other than the sheer craziness of the succession of fall holidays with added errands to run, parties to go to, shopping to be done, Christmas programs to attend, etc., etc. We had good days and not so good days, but were able to do most of what we had hoped to do, such as attend Christmas Eve Mass as a family finally. Spouse plays guitar sometimes at Mass and he was up front with the other musicians, but Nadia, Marisa, Grandpa (My Dad) and I had good seats, and were able to worship together along with a huge crowd of people we know and people who just showed up for the special occasion. We made it to Marisa's first Christmas Program at her new school and she did a great job. Her aid really showed us what a gift she is with the program. Her kids go to a different school and they had a performance the same night as Marisa's. Her kids also had an afternoon performance, so she arranged to go to that so she could be there to see Marisa perform in the evening. She does things like that and endears herself to me more and more the more I get to know her.
Now that we've recycled the 2010 calendars and hung up the 2011 ones, I look forward to gradually making some positive changes in my life and home environment. I've been steadily sorting, cleaning, donating and generally downsizing the stuff in and around our home. I got through most of the stacks of papers sitting on my dining room table (my home office area) before the holidays and am trying not to let too much accumulate there now. My goal is to have a place for everything and everything in its place early on this year, so I can take a deep breath and enjoy the absence of clutter, in my life and hopefully in my brain as well! I'm trying new recipes and focusing on adding more healthy ingredients to our daily meals. I cooked a big batch of kale for dinner this evening and true to form, big Sis didn't go near it, Spouse just "tried" it, and Marisa said "Yummy!" She is truly my best eater. I loved it too.
I'm also trying to not be so busy all the time this year. I love getting together with my friends but am trying to limit that to just a couple of times a week instead of meeting someone somewhere every single day. Being at home more by myself allows me to work on the multitude of small projects around the house and offers me the time to work on the book I'm writing. I've been enjoying some major down time this week so far, but will probably be feeling antsy by next week and asking for more coffee dates once again.
I've been using a friend's light box to combat my self-diagnosed bout of SAD, and it seems to be working. I've used it for a week now, in the morning while I do computer stuff, and I haven't been quite as tired or felt as overwhelmed lately. That's the good news. The bad news is that if I am convinced it really, truly works, I'll have to spring that budget item on Spouse and listen to his groan. Oh well.
Here's too more good days than bad, and making small adjustments here and there that lead to a happy New Year.
Now that we've recycled the 2010 calendars and hung up the 2011 ones, I look forward to gradually making some positive changes in my life and home environment. I've been steadily sorting, cleaning, donating and generally downsizing the stuff in and around our home. I got through most of the stacks of papers sitting on my dining room table (my home office area) before the holidays and am trying not to let too much accumulate there now. My goal is to have a place for everything and everything in its place early on this year, so I can take a deep breath and enjoy the absence of clutter, in my life and hopefully in my brain as well! I'm trying new recipes and focusing on adding more healthy ingredients to our daily meals. I cooked a big batch of kale for dinner this evening and true to form, big Sis didn't go near it, Spouse just "tried" it, and Marisa said "Yummy!" She is truly my best eater. I loved it too.
I'm also trying to not be so busy all the time this year. I love getting together with my friends but am trying to limit that to just a couple of times a week instead of meeting someone somewhere every single day. Being at home more by myself allows me to work on the multitude of small projects around the house and offers me the time to work on the book I'm writing. I've been enjoying some major down time this week so far, but will probably be feeling antsy by next week and asking for more coffee dates once again.
I've been using a friend's light box to combat my self-diagnosed bout of SAD, and it seems to be working. I've used it for a week now, in the morning while I do computer stuff, and I haven't been quite as tired or felt as overwhelmed lately. That's the good news. The bad news is that if I am convinced it really, truly works, I'll have to spring that budget item on Spouse and listen to his groan. Oh well.
Here's too more good days than bad, and making small adjustments here and there that lead to a happy New Year.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Field Trip
I went with Miss Roo on her first field trip at her new school yesterday. And, since it's October, of course, it was to a pumpkin patch. I had offered to be a chaperone and her teacher accepted even though they usually do not take parents on this annual field trip with the 1st and 2nd graders. I'm so glad I went, though. The day was gorgeous and I got the opportunity to see Marisa interact with the kids in her class and with other kids from her school. It is not perfect, believe me, and my heart mourns at times for her inability to relate to the kids the same way as they naturally do with others; but I still saw some very lovely things happen during the trip. There is a girl in her class she seems to be a bit obsessed with, and I think it's because this girl's locker is beside Marisa's and because at the beginning of the year the girl was helping Marisa quite a bit with her work during the day. I could tell during the field trip that this little girl doesn't feel the same way about Marisa as Marisa does about her and I may need to intervene at some point or at least talk to her teacher about it. The other girl wasn't mean to Marisa, but she obviously didn't want to hang out with her either. That being said, there were plenty of other kids in her class who did want to hang out with her, and I was thrilled to see that.
A funny and touching thing happened after Marisa ran into the hay pyramid at the pumpkin patch. We've gone as a family to this farm to get a pumpkin the past couple of years and every time Marisa made a beeline into the hay pyramid. She loves that dark, cramped, to me completely oppressive, space for some reason. So, I had a hunch she would do that during the field trip. I was right. She ran in, as did most of the other kids, and after a while I asked one of the boys to go get her. Soon, a contingent of 1st and 2nd graders were on a mission to find Marisa and bring her out safely. At no time did I feel they were poking fun at her or put out by trying to find her. They joined together to help her out. One of her classmates brought her out with him and then he said very sweetly, "We found you Marisa," and gave her a hug. Later she climbed to the top of the structure and a girl from her class ran up so she could help Marisa come back down. Marisa has very good gross motor skills and would have had no trouble coming down from the top but it was still very sweet of this other girl to want to help her out. The classroom aide told me she was glad I came because she wanted me to see that there are some really great kids in the class who are supportive of my child and for me to witness some of the good things that happen with their interactions. She said she knew that I mostly had to hear bad news, and she wanted me to be sure to know there was lots of good news too. Thank God for that!
I also got to spend time with Marisa's new one on one aide and she seems really great. I was so happy after this experience that I even went out and bought Marisa a beautiful dress (but thankfully not expensive!) for the school's Christmas music program a couple of months from now. I'm finally at the point of accepting that we just might be able to make a go of being back in the classroom. I can't even express how wonderful it will be if she can learn to be a part of a broader community and get along with lots of different people, while making gains academically. That will be an overwhelming answer to prayer. So, that thought, coupled with a beautiful fall day in a favorite pumpkin patch, makes life worth living!
A funny and touching thing happened after Marisa ran into the hay pyramid at the pumpkin patch. We've gone as a family to this farm to get a pumpkin the past couple of years and every time Marisa made a beeline into the hay pyramid. She loves that dark, cramped, to me completely oppressive, space for some reason. So, I had a hunch she would do that during the field trip. I was right. She ran in, as did most of the other kids, and after a while I asked one of the boys to go get her. Soon, a contingent of 1st and 2nd graders were on a mission to find Marisa and bring her out safely. At no time did I feel they were poking fun at her or put out by trying to find her. They joined together to help her out. One of her classmates brought her out with him and then he said very sweetly, "We found you Marisa," and gave her a hug. Later she climbed to the top of the structure and a girl from her class ran up so she could help Marisa come back down. Marisa has very good gross motor skills and would have had no trouble coming down from the top but it was still very sweet of this other girl to want to help her out. The classroom aide told me she was glad I came because she wanted me to see that there are some really great kids in the class who are supportive of my child and for me to witness some of the good things that happen with their interactions. She said she knew that I mostly had to hear bad news, and she wanted me to be sure to know there was lots of good news too. Thank God for that!
I also got to spend time with Marisa's new one on one aide and she seems really great. I was so happy after this experience that I even went out and bought Marisa a beautiful dress (but thankfully not expensive!) for the school's Christmas music program a couple of months from now. I'm finally at the point of accepting that we just might be able to make a go of being back in the classroom. I can't even express how wonderful it will be if she can learn to be a part of a broader community and get along with lots of different people, while making gains academically. That will be an overwhelming answer to prayer. So, that thought, coupled with a beautiful fall day in a favorite pumpkin patch, makes life worth living!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Roller coaster ride of inclusive placement
My days have had incredible highs and deep, dark lows for the past month. It has taken a long time for the kids to start to accept Marisa and her uniqueness. She is a physical kid, hands on the other kids often, grabbing them or their stuff, and the school and I have been trying a variety of strategies to lessen or (God willing!) extinguish this behavior. I would not take away her Down syndrome if I could, but I would flip a switch gladly to get rid of the complicating behavioral challenges. Many things have gotten better over time, but some things she does seem to go on and on with no let up. The first few weeks when I walked her into the school building, I could sense, and see, that the kids were afraid of her. If I were a kid, I would be too. It's not fun to have someone, especially a kid you don't know well yet who does stuff you can't understand, come up to you and grab you for no reason.
I also had a chance to ask two of the "specialist" (music, art, computer, etc.) teachers how it has been going. Previously the PE teacher told me Marisa was doing well and that he had been working on teaching the other kids how to help her and be her friend. He is a great advocate and I'm happy to have him on our team. The music and computer teachers were not so supportive and their negative reaction to my question surprised me. I know my lovely little girl can be difficult to work with, that she gets distracted easily and can easily be a distraction for others; but I was dismayed at their unwillingness to see her value and that they preferred to just speak about the negative aspect of having her in their classes.
This past week the tide seemed to be turning. Marisa got a lovely little card in the mail from a girl in her class, and the kids started greeting her very nicely when she walked in. The teacher also told me that several of the kids were really stepping up to be her friend. Hallelujah! I put this in the past tense because when I picked her up yesterday she told me she was sent to the "time out chair." I finally got out of her that she had hurt another girl in her class. Well, a problem arises from this admission. It is difficult at times to tell from Marisa's words if she is talking about herself or describing what happened to someone else. Without checking with her teacher, I can't tell if she was the one who hurt the other student or if someone else did. This is an example of what I call an "added layer of complexity" in having a person with Down syndrome or any other type of developmental disability in your life. Changing behaviors from negative to positive is very difficult and time-consuming, and getting a clear and accurate report from the person in question can also be very difficult. So, I've decided to wait until Monday and see how the kids greet her once again.
The school has asked me to submit a letter to the parents in Marisa's class. This stems from several parents asking me if the school was going to give them information on Down syndrome so they could answer questions their kids might have. I appreciate that. Now I just have to come up with a very positive, person centered introduction to my child and her diagnosis. Hope I'm up to that challenge!
The bottom line is still this : it is difficult to facilitate successful inclusion for a kid like my wonderful daughter; but it is worth the time and effort, worth all the tears I have and will shed, and worth continuing to work at it every single day. She deserves to be an active, participating member of the greater community, and I will fight for that until my dying day.
I also had a chance to ask two of the "specialist" (music, art, computer, etc.) teachers how it has been going. Previously the PE teacher told me Marisa was doing well and that he had been working on teaching the other kids how to help her and be her friend. He is a great advocate and I'm happy to have him on our team. The music and computer teachers were not so supportive and their negative reaction to my question surprised me. I know my lovely little girl can be difficult to work with, that she gets distracted easily and can easily be a distraction for others; but I was dismayed at their unwillingness to see her value and that they preferred to just speak about the negative aspect of having her in their classes.
This past week the tide seemed to be turning. Marisa got a lovely little card in the mail from a girl in her class, and the kids started greeting her very nicely when she walked in. The teacher also told me that several of the kids were really stepping up to be her friend. Hallelujah! I put this in the past tense because when I picked her up yesterday she told me she was sent to the "time out chair." I finally got out of her that she had hurt another girl in her class. Well, a problem arises from this admission. It is difficult at times to tell from Marisa's words if she is talking about herself or describing what happened to someone else. Without checking with her teacher, I can't tell if she was the one who hurt the other student or if someone else did. This is an example of what I call an "added layer of complexity" in having a person with Down syndrome or any other type of developmental disability in your life. Changing behaviors from negative to positive is very difficult and time-consuming, and getting a clear and accurate report from the person in question can also be very difficult. So, I've decided to wait until Monday and see how the kids greet her once again.
The school has asked me to submit a letter to the parents in Marisa's class. This stems from several parents asking me if the school was going to give them information on Down syndrome so they could answer questions their kids might have. I appreciate that. Now I just have to come up with a very positive, person centered introduction to my child and her diagnosis. Hope I'm up to that challenge!
The bottom line is still this : it is difficult to facilitate successful inclusion for a kid like my wonderful daughter; but it is worth the time and effort, worth all the tears I have and will shed, and worth continuing to work at it every single day. She deserves to be an active, participating member of the greater community, and I will fight for that until my dying day.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Excuses, excuses
I can't believe September is almost over and that we're heading into the holiday season. I was hoping to have more time to write, clean up my house, and do all the stuff I couldn't manage to find time to do as a homeschooling mom last year; but no such luck. Each day brings more and more things added to the schedule : good things such as having coffee with a wide variety of friends who share having kids in school in common, and not so good things like having to drop everything and head downtown to pick up a sickly kid at school, well not sickly but cyclical if you know what I mean; and then drive her back to school several hours later for a freshman class (all girl school) sleepover. I feel like I'm doing less and still feeling more exhausted at the end of the day. I also often feel like everyone else must have figured out a way to have more hours in their days because I just can't seem to get enough done. I don't sit around, am on the go pretty much constantly, and maybe that's the point. Maybe I'm on the go going to too many coffee dates, serving volunteer hours, carting the family all over creation, etc., etc, and that's why I'm not getting enough done at home. Time to find that proverbial balance.
Our local Buddy Walk was yesterday, Sunday the 26th. I used to help out with the planning and working the registration table for the event, but no longer. It's run by a great group of people but I ended up with too much else going on right around this time of year. It is so great to see lots of families with kids like Miss Marisa, but also to see all the people who come out in support of the kids like Marisa. Buddy Walks around the country are yet another thing that gives me hope for the future. Now if I could only find hope in myself to finally clean up the dining room, formerly known as "homeschool central."
Oh well, tomorrow is another day!
Our local Buddy Walk was yesterday, Sunday the 26th. I used to help out with the planning and working the registration table for the event, but no longer. It's run by a great group of people but I ended up with too much else going on right around this time of year. It is so great to see lots of families with kids like Miss Marisa, but also to see all the people who come out in support of the kids like Marisa. Buddy Walks around the country are yet another thing that gives me hope for the future. Now if I could only find hope in myself to finally clean up the dining room, formerly known as "homeschool central."
Oh well, tomorrow is another day!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Back to school and blessings received
I'm not complaining. Little one is at school for the whole day today. This is her very first experience with all day school, and I am excited and anxious to hear how she did. Last week the 1st graders just went 1/2 days, so now we're in the big time. She had to adjust to eating lunch in the lunch room, getting up at the crack of dawn again, and getting used to a whole new set of kids. Last year she went to public school for only 2 months and then I homeschooled her the rest of the year. We had our own routine and it worked pretty well, but she still was not "at work" all day. Thankfully her school is very supportive and believes without a doubt that she belongs there, so that is a big plus. I am just hoping and praying that she can settle in as quickly as possible and learn how to be successful in her new environment. She will have an aid for a portion of the day soon, but for now they are just working with her within the inclusive classroom to see what she needs for support.
I got to walk the dog all by myself this morning and that felt great! Now I need to catch up on all sorts of projects at home, finish off back to school paperwork (it goes on and on...) for both girls and figure out what to do with my day! What a wonderful feeling!
Older Sis is working on a service program for her new high school. She and I kicked off the year by assisting with a festival at a local parish in honor of adults with disabilities. Nadia and I blew up balloons, tons of them, and worked a craft table. She wanted me to hang with her all morning, but that was okay. She was wonderful with all the people we met. I told her on the way home that she has been given a gift from her sister. She is able to be around adults with disabilities and not be frightened or put off. She sees them as people first and knows they deserve respect and to be valued just as we all deserve. I told her she has a special ability that none of her other friends have at this point in their lives, and she should be thankful for that. I am very proud of her, and I'm really looking forward to volunteering along side her on many different projects as the year goes along.
I got to walk the dog all by myself this morning and that felt great! Now I need to catch up on all sorts of projects at home, finish off back to school paperwork (it goes on and on...) for both girls and figure out what to do with my day! What a wonderful feeling!
Older Sis is working on a service program for her new high school. She and I kicked off the year by assisting with a festival at a local parish in honor of adults with disabilities. Nadia and I blew up balloons, tons of them, and worked a craft table. She wanted me to hang with her all morning, but that was okay. She was wonderful with all the people we met. I told her on the way home that she has been given a gift from her sister. She is able to be around adults with disabilities and not be frightened or put off. She sees them as people first and knows they deserve respect and to be valued just as we all deserve. I told her she has a special ability that none of her other friends have at this point in their lives, and she should be thankful for that. I am very proud of her, and I'm really looking forward to volunteering along side her on many different projects as the year goes along.
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