tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55506884797870678732024-03-13T15:43:05.767-04:00JournalingLeahJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-67403818152898767702017-03-30T14:20:00.001-04:002017-03-31T09:49:37.658-04:00The Bus<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, a little girl cheered when she heard that
Leah wasn’t going to be on the bus that morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My big kiddos became VERY protective of their little sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I received a text telling me about the situation, that one of them talked to the
little girls, and they were all acting like “mama bears”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They told the girls how sad they were to hear them cheer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Asked them how they would feel if someone cheered when they
weren’t on the bus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Told them that they shouldn’t do that again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wrote this on my Facebook page:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“<i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;">To the kids who cheered when they heard that
Leah wasn't going to be on the bus this morning: just so you know, if you were
my kids and you did this, you wouldn't be able to sit on the bus (or anywhere
else) for at least a week. I hope Leah's siblings were firm with you and taught
you how absolutely horrible your behavior was, since your parents obviously
haven't been able to teach you this yet. And remember, karma's a bitch.</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;">”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Way Harsh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;">Sigh</span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then a little girl came
home crying because she was so worried that one of my kiddos hated her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Her mama messaged me and
told me how upset the little girl was and that her daughter promised she didn’t
cheer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My mama bear mind wasn’t
hearing any of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My kids were <b>positive </b>it was those girls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believed them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was <s>irrational</s>
mad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I said more harsh things
to this mama.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next day, I called
the bus garage and principal and asked them to look into the situation assuming
of course that my children would be validated and the evidence would prove that
my child was the victim of hateful discrimination from <i>little, spoiled, mean girls</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;">Not even close</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A little girl did cheer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not the one my kiddos
were <b>positive </b>about though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not the one whose mama
said promised she didn’t cheer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not the one who my kids
talked to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A little girl did cheer
because she was happy that Leah wasn’t on the bus because Leah sometimes takes
her crayons and coloring books. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not because she was a <i>little, spoiled, mean girl</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you know me, you know
that I LOVE children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My entire life has been
focused on helping children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I advocate for ALL
children whenever the need arises. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From the time I remember
thinking about what I wanted to do as an adult, I wanted to be a mama.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My connection with
children is intense…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>My heart broke that day.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A little girl was crying
because of my child.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When a mama called me
advocating for her baby, (<i>something I
ALWAYS encourage parents to do</i>) I shut her down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I thought and said hateful things about <b><i>CHILDREN</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am reliving this now because I need to
explain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I need closure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I need to let anyone who read what I wrote or heard what I
said know that you did not read or hear the real me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I AM a mama bear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am not ashamed of that in any way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Honestly, I have NEVER regretted advocating for any of my
kiddos, ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Until this</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can’t believe that I was so quick to jump to the worst
conclusion about the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I should’ve known better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everywhere Leah goes, everyone LOVES her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They protect her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They nurture her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They play with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They include her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They don’t worry about any “differences” she may have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have had some pretty devastating experiences with
discrimination so maybe I am still very protective of her to make sure that we
don’t ever go through THAT again?<o:p></o:p></span></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don’t know what my issue was that day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I am sorry.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This has been a huge learning experience for us all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And Leah better never take someone's coloring books or crayons again, or else. ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(I have apologized to this mama and my kids have apologized to hers. They have all very kindly forgiven us. :)) </span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-3161340583067509352017-03-21T11:21:00.002-04:002017-03-22T21:37:37.093-04:00World Leah Day<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Today is World Down syndrome Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It is a day that the world advocates for, educates about,
and celebrates Down syndrome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Today is chosen because the date, 3/21, is used to represent
the three copies of the 21<sup>st</sup> chromosome which is the genetic
abnormality that causes Down syndrome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Most of my friends who are parents of kiddos with Down
syndrome are doing something to celebrate their children today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Assemblies to discuss Down syndrome in their schools. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Wearing crazy socks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Letters sent home to classmates to explain
their </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">kids a little better.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Goodies purchased or made with the Down syndrome
colors of blue and gold, and are being passed out all around the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It really is a big day <s>except around here</s>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have a hard time with today. I never know what to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My world is engulfed with all things Down syndrome but I do
everything I can to protect my baby's world from Down syndrome.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I don’t ever think about Down syndrome, except I never stop
thinking about Down syndrome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My perspective differs greatly than what
the text books teach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My view does not include three copies of the 21<sup>st</sup>
chromosome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Or a learning disability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Or a speech delay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Or small ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Or small feet and hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Or cute little curved pinkies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When I look at Leah, I see my beautiful baby who seems to
bring a little piece of heaven to everyone she meets. I see strength. I see determination. I see happiness. I see stubbornness (she gets that from her
daddy). I see intelligence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I see a child who will grow to impact the world in ways I
never can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I never see Down syndrome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">But then again, do I? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Does Down syndrome really mean beauty? Or heaven? Or strength?
Or determination? Or happiness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><s><br /></s></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><s>Stubbornness has to be a Sones thing. </s><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">These generally aren’t the focus of all things Down syndrome
though. When we educate and
advocate, the focus tends to be on the text book stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">B</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">ut those things have
very little to do with my sweetie.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I don’t want to celebrate the scientific, biological, or
academic differences my beauty may possess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I want to celebrate her <b>countenance </b></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and the way it impacts
the world, </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">which I do believe may be
connected to having three copies of the 21<sup>st</sup> chromosome but those
scientific studies haven’t really happened yet…</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How do I make the world see THAT? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When I can figure it out, I will be <b>ALL IN</b> for World Down syndrome Day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Till then, we’ll celebrate World Leah Day! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">But if you know this house, every day is World Leah Day…
Trust me. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-22210386234926516272015-07-16T17:30:00.001-04:002015-07-16T17:41:30.568-04:00IQ<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a few friends mention that they liked reading my blog about my peanut, so I figured that I would pick it back up again. Who knows how often I will write in it. I've made lots of goals in the past and I am tired of not reaching them, so I guess here's one little look into our lives. </span></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, I got a copy of Leah's IQ results in the mail. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was devastated. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My baby is way smarter than the results suggest.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Part of the test requires two surveys, one from a parent and one from a teacher. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our surveys results were very different. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the report, the psychologist who administered the test mentioned the discrepancies in the surveys, and she said that the differences were due to "reporter error." </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I called her.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to make sure that I had an accurate view of Leah's abilities and I was curious as to who she felt was the one who made the errors. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She told me that she believed I was the one who had a better understanding of Leah's abilities and that my survey was the more accurate one. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She did not think that Leah could function as well as she did, in the classroom that she was in, if she was at the level that the teacher survey suggested. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...In the middle of the testing I happened to be volunteering at recess and when I asked the psychologist how things were going, she said that she didn't believe the results would be an accurate assessment of Leah's understanding. She commented that the test had to be administered in a specific way and that she couldn't take liberties with the questioning. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I told her that I would put Leah's IQ score in the 70's if I had to guess. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She agreed. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's not-too-shabby, if I do say so myself. ;) </span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yay Leah!!! :)...</span></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We then talked about more personal stuff. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(This psychologist is one amazing lady. I am so grateful for the compassion, love, and knowledge she has brought into our lives. I honestly consider her a friend) </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of our conversation she said:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I truly believe that Leah was brought into my life when I needed her the most. She is a blessing to me and I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had to work with her." </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My baby's IQ score may not be as high as I would like it to be. I wish she would have been able to "perform to the test" just this once. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But really...</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you just read what the psychologist said? </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's kinda amazing. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For real. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My baby is considered as a blessing in someone's life. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This someone was a stranger a year ago. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sweetie touched her life in a deep way. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's kinda amazing.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's even more amazing is that I have had many people share similar sentiments. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is an IQ score really that important?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-42089732847869886952014-05-29T09:45:00.001-04:002014-05-29T09:45:44.416-04:00Growing Up<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems
like I always blog when I am dealing with some kind of frustration with Leah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to
share some REALLY good stuff from the past few days. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went to a
local amusement park on Monday. It's
called Darien Lake and it's kinda like Six Flags. It actually used to be a Six Flags at one
point, but it's privately owned now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway,
there are TONS of rides! They have a HUGE water park! They have things for everyone to enjoy. It's pretty big.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leah walked
through that entire park, for about 6 hours, with very little rest. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She rode
crazy rides with her daddy and she LOVED them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She rode in
the lazy river FIVE times with me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She waited
in line patiently.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was
almost perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
obviously had a blast!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have
season passes and I can't wait to go again!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday,
we just spent the day at home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leah took a
cat nap while cutting the grass with daddy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She helped
daddy feed the chickens.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She helped
me hang laundry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She didn't
whine, cry, or make much of a fuss the entire day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She didn't
run to areas of the property which are off limits. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
communicated as best as she could.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
listened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a
great day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, Leah
had an elephant sized portion of breakfast and ate it pretty neatly. She didn't
need many reminders to wipe her face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She took a
shower and <b>DIDN'T FUSS WHEN I WASHED HER
HAIR!!! </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is
HUGE!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, she
dressed herself as best as she could, and <b>DIDN'T
FUSS WHEN I DID HER HAIR!!!<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is also
very HUGE!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She had a good day at school, came home, made a pb& banana sandwich (but wouldn't eat it), watched a few tv shows, and then </span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">took a
little nap on the floor until her siblings came home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">She actually kinda passed
out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">When she woke up, Sarah spent
some great sissy time with her playing outside, coloring, playing Duck, Duck, Goose,
and reading.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She had
dinner and fell asleep a little later than her normal bedtime.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She didn't
back talk, whine, cry, fuss, or misbehave at all today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was
another GREAT day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think Leah
needed some "big girl" time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She needed
to be given a little independence and trust.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since Darien
Lake on Monday, my little girl has grown up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think she
is going to be going through a growth spurt pretty soon with all of her eating
and sleeping lately.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think she
must be going through a behavior growth spurt as well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">And it is so
nice to witness! </span></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-8129243392290403732014-05-28T12:09:00.001-04:002014-05-28T12:16:41.462-04:00Compromises<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday we
had Leah's first CSE meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">It started
and ended great… but in between was kinda testy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Just so it's out there- when I am frustrated,
or angry, or nervous, my face gets red, my voice gets shaky, and everyone
around me can totally feel my emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Especially when it comes to my kids.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I have gained a lot of control of
this behavior in the past few years, but it still sits somewhere in my body,
just waiting to come out!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><i>And it was
out yesterday</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The beginning
of the meeting was full of smiles and jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">We went over
Leah's evaluation results and there was not much surprising information in
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The
therapists were very warm and loving.
They also made sure to let me know that they see greatness in Leah and
that they will work very hard to help her get her greatness out. Who can ask
for more than that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">(BTW- Leah's social skills are
totally age- appropriate or above average </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 115%;">J</span></i><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">We came to
agreement on her placement: Integrated Classroom. Her class will have about a 50/50 split of
children with special needs and typical children. There will be 1 regular education teacher, 1 special
education teacher (for 130 minutes a day), and 1 teacher's aid in the classroom
at all times. Leah will have a personal
aid to assist with safety concerns during transitions to specials and
lunch. Because of difficulty in
scheduling, Leah will have this aid for the entire day, however we will
be meeting as a team over the summer to discuss our expectations for the aid
because we do NOT want him/her to be constantly at Leah's side. Leah
does well with independence, and we want her to have the opportunity to
be as independent as she can be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">We came to
an agreement about the amount of (most) of her therapies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Then came
music therapy (MT). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">A little more background- Leah does
amazingly well with music therapy! It
has helped her develop confidence, strengthen her social skills, follow
directions, share, take turns, increase her sentence abilities, and her articulation.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Every one of her current therapists
comment about the growth in Leah's abilities when music is involved.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I have been strongly encouraged to
advocate for MT even though our district currently does not contract with a
music therapist. The consensus is that
MT is essential to helping Leah succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">After
everything else was settled, I asked about music therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">CSE Chair- "We
do not contract with a music therapist. It will take a long time to get a
contract with one, but it can be done. However, Leah is already out of the classroom
so much with her therapies, I don't think it would be good for her to add to
her time away from the class. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Me-
"You're right, she is out of the classroom a lot, but I wanted her MT to
be pushed in."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Face getting red.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">CSE Chair-
"We will not have MT pushed in. If she has it, it will be pulled-out. We
will not take away from curriculum time for MT. There is no way we will be able
to have a music therapist in the classroom."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Blood pressure starting to rise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Me-
"That's not ok. You're telling me that you do not have 30 minutes a week
to give in the classroom for MT? Music therapy would be for Leah specifically,
but all of the children would benefit from it."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">CSE Chair-
"This service would be for your daughter, not for the classroom. I cannot speak for the other children in the
classroom. I don't know if the parent's would approve."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Voice starting to shake.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Me-
"This is a blended classroom. Do
the parents not know that their children are in this type of classroom? I have had
two other children in integrated classrooms in our previous district as typical peer models, and I was
told that they would be in those classes before school started. I would assume
that you also would notify the parents of the classroom status, shouldn't they
be prepared for this type of service around their children?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">CSE Chair
and Principal- "We will not take away from the time dedicated for the
curriculum for music therapy."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Me- "If
you don't have 30 minutes a week to take away from the curriculum then I think
that the curriculum needs to be rethought."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Start the knee nudges from the hubby</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">(Remember I was strongly encouraged
to advocate for this service by many people, including the district
psychologist and one of the district's speech therapist's)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">CSE Chair-
"There is no way to have push-in music therapy. If you want it for Leah, then she will have
to have it 1:1 pulled out."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Me-
"Well, what else can we take away then. Not having MT is not an
option and she is already pulled out a lot?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Knee nudge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">We start to
go over her plan and almost have 1 physical therapy pushed into her gym class, but it doesn't
feel right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Me- "I
think this is a sticking point. Maybe I need to end the meeting, do my research
on music therapy, and hire an advocate.
Music therapy is essential to Leah's development."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">CSE Chair- "If
that's what you feel you need to do…"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Me-
"The reason I want Leah's MT to be pushed in is for her social
skills. Yes, those skills are her best,
but she still has a hard time initiating play with her peers. MT helps her
learn to share, communicate, and take turns.
Is this not an issue for all </span><span style="line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">kindergartners</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">? How would this not help the entire
class?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Then the
speech therapist (SLP) who would be working with Leah speaks up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">SLP- "What
if I coteach with the MT during one of Leah's small groups? I think it would be
great for all of those children, and I would be willing to do that… I would
love to do that."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Blood pressure lowering, voice
becoming steady, face color returning to normal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Me- "I
think that's a great idea!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">CSE Chair-
"If you would be willing to coteach, then I think we can do that. I will
have some work to do to find a therapist, but I will get on it."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">And we're
done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Whoo hoo!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">It's not
exactly what I was looking for, but it is a start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">It was a
very good compromise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I am glad we
stuck to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I'm glad I
didn't give up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I'm grateful
for a team who was willing to find a way to satisfy everyone's concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes
it's best to keep fighting even when your unfavorable emotions come out, and
even sometimes when your husband keeps nudging you to quit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I felt the
spirit with me when I explained why I wanted Leah to have MT in a group
setting. That same spirit must have
touched everyone else in the room as well because there was an undeniable calm
suddenly present.Only after I explained my reasons, was a compromise made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Maybe those
prayers <b>are </b>working. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's to a
great kindergarten year for my sweetie. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-74895658755603212072014-05-23T12:05:00.003-04:002014-05-23T12:07:56.060-04:00Inadequate Mama<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">For the
first time in my life, I feel like an inadequate parent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have
always known how to raise my children in a way which would help them reach </span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">their optimum potential.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have
always relied on my instincts and intuition to be a good mommy and they have
served me well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have
always felt proud of my performance in my calling as a mom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until now…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leah has
really slowed down her progressing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She is doing
well in school. Not great. But good enough.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She is starting
to have a hard time in social situations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her reading
is ok, but she isn't the rock star she used to be. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shopping
with her is horrible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would say
her behavior is like a 3 1/2 year old's.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's
almost an 1 1/2 year delay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would say
her speech is like a 2 1/2, <i> maybe </i>3, year old's.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's <i>atleast </i>almost a 2 year delay!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I don't
know what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am
overwhelmed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know I
should be reading more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know we
should be cutting more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know we
should be socializing more with other kiddos her age.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">But those
things are hard <s>most of the time</s> sometimes with her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I kinda
don't know where to start.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her delays
are overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been
relying a lot on her therapists and teachers to help her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel like
I am failing in my calling with her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel like
I am not good enough to be her mama.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel like
she deserves so much more than I am giving her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">And it
breaks my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I don't
know where to start to find my way with her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I probably
should be praying more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">That always
helps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">But it seems
like my prayers have been going unanswered lately.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or maybe I'm
not praying hard enough?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a few
days we have her first CSE (Committee on Special Education) meeting and </span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">there
are going to be TEN other people there to talk about how to best serve Leah.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">How am I going
to help guide that meeting if I don't know how to best serve my own daughter?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Talk about
stress…</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-67964316543422405012014-04-02T09:25:00.001-04:002014-04-02T09:26:07.475-04:00Finding the Right Path<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Leah has her
CSE meeting this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We will be
setting up her plan for school next year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These
meetings usually bring parents lots of stress.
Most of the time the stress is relieved shortly after the meeting is
over; when the committee who is working on the plan comes to agreement about
what they feel is the best education plan and goals for the child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Usually most
of the stress is unwarranted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes
it's not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Luckily, we
live in a district where those meetings are as comfortable as could be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There's
always a little sadness when talking about your child's special needs, but our
district tries to give us hope. They
work to better the children. Test scores
are just part of the plan. Our district
is more focused on helping to develop positive and productive members of
society, who reach for the stars and find their true potential, than passing
tests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They do this
for all of the children, in every grade, whether or not they have special
needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are
blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So Leah's
meeting…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am having
a hard time trying to figure out the best path for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Leah's
skills are very scattered and if she has a particularly tough day it is hard to
get her to focus without a lot of intervention and prompting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When she has
a good day though, she is on! She
doesn't need much help, she can follow along with her routine, and she even
initiates communication! Good days are
very good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tough days
are very tough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have
noticed when Leah has less assistance at home, her dance class, and church
classes, she usually does pretty well. She does need strict discipline, but once
those lines are drawn between adult and child, she gets it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For example…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The dance
teacher's assistant was out of town for a week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Leah didn't
have anyone to rely on to help her or redirect her. She had to listen to her teacher and she was
expected to behave. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was her
best week at dance! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At church
her class is small and she is often at her teacher's side. When she goes to group activities she is also
usually sitting right next to a teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A few weeks
ago I explained to her teacher that we are tough on Leah and when she is
naughty, she gets into trouble. I told
her that we expect her to behave and mind her manners. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The next
week her teacher was a little "tougher".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was one
of her best weeks at church!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the
bathroom door is open, Leah is completely self-sufficient going potty (although
she sometimes finds herself trying Mama's make-up out).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the
bathroom door is closed, she often needs help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It's like
she can't do it on her own, even though we all know she can, when that door is
closed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I just
realized this was the connection yesterday and we will now always have the door
open. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her fine and
gross motor skills are her worst skills, they always have been. I am wondering if she just gets discouraged
by not being able to turn the door knob to the bathroom, so she shuts down and
won't do much by herself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But when she
has the ability to be independent, she usually is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I saw a
sample of an IEP in which the child had her therapies pushed in, or in small
groups, at particular times of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This girl's
IEP had her PT at gym or lunch. Her OT
was there to help with her seat work exercises.
Her speech therapist was with her during circle time, or other group
activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This allowed
for the child to be fully included into a regular ed. classroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Leah will be
in a blended classroom and 1/2 of the
children will have special needs and the other 1/2 won't.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There will
be a regular ed. teacher, a special ed. teacher, and an aid in the class. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I kinda
think that's enough help. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm not
really feeling the need for a 1:1 aid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But on those
tough days…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm afraid
she will be too disruptive to the class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I don't want
her to shut down when things get tough, and not have anyone there to wake her
back up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I want to
give her space but I don't want to frustrate her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was
thinking about giving her the first 10 weeks to adjust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know the
first 4-5 weeks will be hard. But maybe
on the 6th or 7th week she'll come around?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe if
she's given time to learn the routine and adjust to all of the new changes she
will excel?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe if she
sees other kids trying to figure it out too because of the newness of
kindergarten for all of the students, she will learn with them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But then
there's those really tough days… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It's always
so hard to know what will be the best plan for your child, especially when they
have such a huge gap in skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Leah's
academic skills are great! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But the rest…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-27218984477107729172014-03-18T12:21:00.004-04:002014-03-18T12:39:54.346-04:00Just a Mom<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">t's been a
while. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Leah's been
great! We still have our struggles, but I couldn't be more proud of my sweetie. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>We've been
working on improving her speech and it is kicking our butts! My peanut tries so hard to tell us what she
is thinking. She has pretty big verbal
and sign language vocabularies, but she can't get all of that vocabulary out,
and when she does, it is often hard to understand unless I make her slow down
and pronounce the words individually. We are still working on increasing her
sentence abilities. Right now, I would
say she is consistently using 3-4 word sentences. That's pretty far behind and
she works SO hard for those 3-4 words.
If I give her prompts she can say more, but to get a 5 word sentence
from her spontaneously, is HUGE! <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Leah can
read about 50 words. I'm slacking with
her reading. I really haven't worked on
it much in the past 3-4 months. I really
need to get on that.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>She is
loving dancing! We switched her to a
younger, less structured class and it's just what she needed. In this class, she has begun to shine! She can follow the routine, attend to the
teachers, and do most of the moves.
Skipping is still a challenge, but jumping, hopping, leaping, running, and
shuffling are easy peasy. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Leah's
skills are definitely scattered, but she is such a hard-worker. She doesn't give up when things are tough-
she may yell a little- but she doesn't give up. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I felt the
desire to journal today because I had an experience with my twinies, which reminded
me why I began journaling to begin with…<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>…I wanted to
share my experience of being Leah's mom.
I wanted to express the good and the bad of being a mama of a kiddo with
Down syndrome. I wanted to be raw with
emotion and help the world understand a little better. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I wanted to
show that I'm just a mom.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I wanted to
show that Leah's just a kid. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I wanted
acceptance and love. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I wanted
support.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I wanted to
share my experiences, so that maybe other parents could learn from them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>So today…<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I met with
Hannah, Elijah, and their guidance counselor to discuss their schedules for
high school. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Hannah and
Elijah will be working on their Associate's in Engineering, while attending
high school. They will have to finish up
a couple of classes the summer that they graduate, but by the fall semester
they will be juniors at whatever
university they choose to attend. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I say
whatever school they choose to attend pretty confidently. They will be engineers at 17. I'm kinda sure that will help them a little… </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>If Elijah
chooses to serve a mission, he will come home from his mission and be a
junior. It will be like he never left,
educationally. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I'm just a
little proud. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>But the
thing that prompted me to write today is that I am just as proud of Leah and
how hard she works to get those 3-4 sentences, as I am of my twins who have
exceeded any expectation I have ever had of them. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Those
sentences are just as impressive as those degrees. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>The twins
have the choice of degrees they can pursue.
they can work towards either and
Associate's in Engineering, or an Associate's in Math and Science.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I expressed
my concern that the kids get pigeon-holed into one field at such young ages. Don't get me wrong, I know a degree in
anything will only help them in the future, it's just that I don't want them to
put in all of this hard work just to start over after they graduate. For example, if either one of them wanted to
be a teacher or a psychologist, how far would an engineering degree get
them? I want their doors to be wide open
so they can choose which one will make them happy, not just a path that was
laid out in front of them. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I feel the
same way about Leah. I don't want her
pigeon-holed into one place because she has delays, any more than I want my
twins stuck in one path because they are intelligent. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I want them
all to reach their optimum potential and find true happiness in whatever
direction they choose to go. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Hannah and Elijah
are very blessed with the opportunity they have right now. This is the first class to ever have this
program available to them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Leah is also
very blessed with the opportunities she has right now. Her generation is one of the first to have so
much support offered to them. She is living at a time when her potential is
celebrated.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I guess my point is that no matter where your children's
abilities are, you love them unconditionally. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Success
doesn't make you love them more.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Struggles
don't make you love them less.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Your child
is yours. You love them, you fight for
them, you care for them, you nurture them, you encourage them, you are
impressed by them, you hurt for them, you are proud of them, you celebrate
them. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>You are
their parent. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No diagnosis
can ever change that. </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-8087421326711477762013-06-05T14:26:00.000-04:002013-06-05T14:26:52.816-04:00Wandering and Wondering<br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
With our recent experiences dealing with discrimination towards Leah at church, my mind has wandered and wondered...</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I wandered to the days of my youth as a Catholic school girl. I remembered the love and spirit I felt by the leaders of my school; the leadership of my church; the leaders of my family; who were all "good" Catholics.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I wondered if I should go back to the comfort and security I felt there.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I wandered to the lives my friends experience, all of who are good Christian women and whom love the Lord with all of their hearts.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I wondered if maybe we would be more accepted by the leadership in their churches.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I wandered back to the days of my conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I remembered the feelings which were so new to me then. I remembered the love which suddenly engulfed my soul. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I wondered if I would ever have that feeling again.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
These past months have not only been trying because I have witnessed such inappropriate behavior towards my daughter, they have been a huge test of my faith.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
And I made it! :)</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I feel stronger then I ever have!</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Our leadership has given me the closure I needed. They have admitted their wrongs, apologized, and have promised to work as hard as they can to make things right, so this never happens to another child or family. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I believe they are sincere and things will be better. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
But...</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
We will move on to another building. We need to continue strengthening our family and we feel the best place to do that is somewhere else. While our home building strengthens itself, we will wait and grow where we can focus on ourselves and not others. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
But that's not the point of this post.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
As I spent all of that time wandering and wondering, much of my focus was on why?</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Why did this happen?</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Why wouldn't anyone listen?</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Why was I so hurt?</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Why MY daughter discriminated against?</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Why me?</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I think I have part of the puzzle figured out or at least I am finding a few pieces which will comfort me...</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Maybe this needed to happen so I could give a voice to others who didn't have the courage to fight for themselves.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Maybe this needed to happen so I could grow my bond with my husband (this experience has strengthened my marriage in a way I can't begin to explain).</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Maybe this needed to happen so I could become reconverted to my church.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Maybe this needed to happen so my children could learn. Maybe they will need to remember this experience to get them through a difficult time in their lives.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Maybe this needed to happen so my entire family could be reconverted. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Maybe we belong in the other ward for some reason.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Maybe...</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
But I am stronger today than I was before any of this happened. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Isn't that reason enough?</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I have learned to never give up, no matter how easy it is or how hard you </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
have to fight.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I have learned that I can not let anyone take my testimony away, regardless of how horrible they may treat me or my child. If that means finding a new building to practice my faith in, I will do it. I love Heavenly Father too much to give up on Him.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
I have learned that sometimes you have to teach those who you think should be teaching you. Just because someone is an "authority" does not mean they do have all of the right answers and they may need your guidance.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
If you see something wrong, say something! If you don't say something, nothing will change. But be kind.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Sometimes you have to hurt feelings to make things right. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Always fight for your children. Let no person intimidate you, no matter what his/her position is in your life, or your children's lives.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Being approachable isn't all it's cracked up to be.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Learn from your experiences and let your lessons define you, not just your experiences.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Take a stand and stick to it.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Don't let anyone silence you.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Have courage. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Never be bitter.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
Make peace.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<div>
Stay strong.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have faith.</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<div>
Forgive.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Teach.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love.</div>
</div>
</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-91726892743967171702013-05-31T09:38:00.001-04:002013-05-31T09:45:58.593-04:00Mama Grizzly<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think I've written about this before but...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you have a child, you (usually) become a huge advocate for that child. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The "Mama Bear" title is a very accurate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you have a child with special needs, you (almost always) become an even tougher advocate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A mama goes from a cute little brown bear who could definitely inflict some damage protecting her cub, to a huge grizzly who could kill with one strike.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hell hath no fury like a Mama fighting for her kid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Satan himself has no power over a mother who is defending her child's rights and well-being, especially if that child has special needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've had several people who have supported me in my recent advocacy for Leah.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've had one friend who expressed hurt by my one of my blog posts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even my husband wished I worded things differently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I understand both concerns and I am sad that I have caused pain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I did pull that blog post for a few minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, I reposted it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is important to be vocal. It is important to stand for what's right. It is important to never silence yourself when critics criticize. It is important to never give up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It may be necessary to hurt feelings and bring discomfort to get results.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am not one to beat around the bush.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am not one who tip-toe around a situation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am not one to carefully choose my words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I say how I feel, when I feel it, to who I feel what I feel for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">People always know what I'm thinking about a situation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My love and my admiration are just as obvious as my unhappiness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm an equal opportunities feelings giver. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes I need to use more discretion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes I need to take a step back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes I need to be less aggressive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not this time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unless you have a child with special needs, you probably don't understand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My life is engulfed with fighting for Leah. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In almost every situation of her life, I am advocating for her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I try not to let her see it, but because advocating for her is such a big part of our lives, I can never completely protect her from it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And when she does see my advocacy, she knows I am doing it for HER.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I'm in tears because of the pain I'm feeling for fighting for her, she's the one I turn to to make things better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just her presence makes me calm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just her love makes me strong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just her smile gives me courage to fight harder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I try to give her the easiest, and most typical childhood I can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, she is so much wiser then I am.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She's the one who is making her childhood easier for <i>me.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even though she can't say it, I know she is proud of me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know she is grateful for my efforts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know she knows how hard this is for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know she wishes she could take the pain away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't know how I know all of this, but I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because of what I know, I will never give up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will always do <b>everything </b>I have to do to give her the best life I can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The pain I feel, or the pain others feel because of my determination to give her the best life possible, is worth every pang. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her smile could move mountains.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her happiness can calm the most nervous soul.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her spirit is closer to God then any other person I know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I feel as though we are one; like our spirits are strangely entwined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can sense her needs, wants, joy, sadness, and pretty much </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">anything she's feeling as she's feeling it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's kinda weird, actually.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I feel the same sorta thing with my other kids, but for some reason my instincts with Leah are different. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't know how to explain the difference other then Leah's different.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe it's because she can't express her feelings in words like my other children can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe my spirit needs to feel hers stronger so I can understand her better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I dunno.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But that extra feeling also comes with an extra reason to fight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Uncomfortable and hurt feelings and all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPORtQ-0pQNyvPyogNiZiQfmipfc9PxcKgKAXwVfK4YIGvgJ9nyHtfj1oH6j9CA0XCggMBbBGoUNs68vSoo35SgxHlsNmEuqSNI3-B1odW1nA1F8vZxWokTZ58cEt2sIccYyj6H-kVcXQ/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPORtQ-0pQNyvPyogNiZiQfmipfc9PxcKgKAXwVfK4YIGvgJ9nyHtfj1oH6j9CA0XCggMBbBGoUNs68vSoo35SgxHlsNmEuqSNI3-B1odW1nA1F8vZxWokTZ58cEt2sIccYyj6H-kVcXQ/s320/047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-44598835284577844432013-05-22T13:04:00.001-04:002013-05-22T13:06:11.158-04:00Changing the Future<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was Leah's last day at preschool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has been going to a typical preschool this school year, with many of her services (speech therapist, teacher, music therapist) pushed-into her class.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The preschool is at our local vocational school. There were about 12 high school senior girls who participated in this program. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is modeled after a 12:1:1 program, however there are always at least 3 student teachers in the room at any given time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes the student teachers would be a little over-bearing with Leah. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes they would try to do too much for her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes she needed it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes she didn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each of them worked with Leah.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of them learned to push Leah further then they thought they could.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They all learned to accept Leah without her diagnosis at the forefront of their mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of them loved her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sent her to this program specifically because I wanted her in an environment where her typically developing peers were, and most of the children in this program are from our local school district.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My thought process in this decision was, <i>if I want her to be mainstreamed, I should start her in a mainstream classroom from the beginning.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah was the first child who has Down syndrome to ever be in this program.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have had to make several adjustments in her services in order to give her the best possible experience and to make it the least restrictive environment for her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This program is incredible!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were always willing to accommodate for Leah.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their philosophy is "Learn Through Play."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a perfect philosophy for us. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of the day today, the student teachers shared their goals next; where they were going to school; what they were majoring in; who they were hoping to become after high school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of the twelve student teachers, FIVE of them are planning on pursuing careers in special education!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought that was pretty cool and I told the lead teacher what a great thing it was that those girls were planning those careers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The lead teacher said:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Mrs. Sones, there was no student who was planning on majoring in special education at the beginning of the year. They all wanted to be teachers, but not ONE was planning on special ed. It is because of their experiences with Leah that they are choosing these paths. Working with your daughter has inspired them to become more then they thought they could. We have been very lucky to have her with us."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring on the tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring on the pride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring on the joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring on the hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah has impacted so many lives in her short three years on this earth. And, today we were given five examples of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, not only has she impacted those five student's lives, but think of all of the children who those student's will teach! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incredible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know things change and these girls are young.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They very well could decide a career in special education is not the path for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But today, MY kid inspired them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What more could I ask for?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(These are the future special education teachers:))</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><3 span=""><!--3--></3></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb6UH9mDnagL_7IPIEhF59nl1x-_F-1YALWb4tW3NFl_t2RoIafXS1AZ7zIEhQdJcEM75nR3ZeuGHmb7GlOg4DYwzFSwZWsFMlrB89TCwimaPSRtHiyH_-3ZOOUbBD2XB7KDPOmHOogQ/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb6UH9mDnagL_7IPIEhF59nl1x-_F-1YALWb4tW3NFl_t2RoIafXS1AZ7zIEhQdJcEM75nR3ZeuGHmb7GlOg4DYwzFSwZWsFMlrB89TCwimaPSRtHiyH_-3ZOOUbBD2XB7KDPOmHOogQ/s320/011.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvFC9rdZiIABHvmwD2-oCG4FfV_8SqMNFGaYElExsbT9q0igtFT0vW7l-IlB6s0hYhqajzHJXKkTBH9IKrdWDytqPFdjfIJgBJtj5E_hfrsS9lNh8BftctpPhqPewJjrtyp2RNinl-xs/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvFC9rdZiIABHvmwD2-oCG4FfV_8SqMNFGaYElExsbT9q0igtFT0vW7l-IlB6s0hYhqajzHJXKkTBH9IKrdWDytqPFdjfIJgBJtj5E_hfrsS9lNh8BftctpPhqPewJjrtyp2RNinl-xs/s320/016.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2kqPe55jUQJYHxOH7C9HHns_x_3JB4LxZ-jeNrugTm1ZHmEvk_JK47cMPSjc0tffGKpX-jHrl7jeHL0WwNSDQBwql7dOWVBrxYwcqWQhI-rSnIy67H4ojKIpVBm0GaktXCxFHPj7GTw/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2kqPe55jUQJYHxOH7C9HHns_x_3JB4LxZ-jeNrugTm1ZHmEvk_JK47cMPSjc0tffGKpX-jHrl7jeHL0WwNSDQBwql7dOWVBrxYwcqWQhI-rSnIy67H4ojKIpVBm0GaktXCxFHPj7GTw/s320/013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t_66RBX-iMkdCDCoDvOspiQ87k0NjG-HU1dJkhGWZYWqZNgS3SWdjxaoAVivoquGBhVu_N6LsWgXcckoR6X9WQINElit_53xztyHpxHw8_g1wRGsz2Sks_38s5R617Y4soJa6zKZ5d0/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t_66RBX-iMkdCDCoDvOspiQ87k0NjG-HU1dJkhGWZYWqZNgS3SWdjxaoAVivoquGBhVu_N6LsWgXcckoR6X9WQINElit_53xztyHpxHw8_g1wRGsz2Sks_38s5R617Y4soJa6zKZ5d0/s320/019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KuEWAidUnDP6JTEax7PhY38K6-ECr5AZkpRE5YA_B8j6MXJvfS5BGy65Qd_ntMl1u_wbSHpVe92DHE7XH-6bMJNyQNSnhrKYsalUxD1nQNLDUhD_ZVnMIQT9N6Czu3w7jODix8BwcRg/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KuEWAidUnDP6JTEax7PhY38K6-ECr5AZkpRE5YA_B8j6MXJvfS5BGy65Qd_ntMl1u_wbSHpVe92DHE7XH-6bMJNyQNSnhrKYsalUxD1nQNLDUhD_ZVnMIQT9N6Czu3w7jODix8BwcRg/s320/020.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(This is Mrs. Burdick, the lead teacher. :))</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<3 p=""></3><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmHGLJfqVNdOUlUYnH-IaM4Smtb-DrI5_yuUU8FaKAvsKidV5HqTH6dHt-_3x14197olfil-MYMGY15RjqAYxJHMvx1_QzZWed05uTDHHG9vokwqIzbidkN1pjqUheONfYra_iELmPQE/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmHGLJfqVNdOUlUYnH-IaM4Smtb-DrI5_yuUU8FaKAvsKidV5HqTH6dHt-_3x14197olfil-MYMGY15RjqAYxJHMvx1_QzZWed05uTDHHG9vokwqIzbidkN1pjqUheONfYra_iELmPQE/s320/017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<!--3--></div>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-2430991255811074552013-05-21T14:44:00.003-04:002013-05-21T14:51:04.235-04:00Our Sign<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disclaimer: You may be offended by this post. It probably has nothing to do with you, though. I will not apologize for what I write. I write this blog for therapy. I write this blog to give a voice to those who will not or can not speak for themselves. I write usually when there's some major stress going on with being a parent of a child with special needs. It is MY blog. My blog is not always warm and fuzzy. It is what it is. Everything I write is honest and true. I am not making up stories or adding information which is false. I will not publicly insult a person by name, I will however use titles and situations. I am not ashamed of anything I write. If it offends you then there's probably something going on within you to make it offensive. We are also not leaving the church. This has NOTHING to do with our activity or our feelings about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We know it is a perfect church. We know the people are imperfect, because we are members and we are quite far from perfect. We are not going to the Lockport Ward because of this situation ONLY. So stop judging us and just read, or don't. This is not about me or you, it is about my daughter being DISCRIMINATED against! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Welp...</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Here we are still.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Still<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>no</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>answers.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Still<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>no</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>suggestions.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Still<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>no</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>communication from our church leaders.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Still<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>nothing</i>.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Our church teaches that we need to endure to the end.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
I think that means that we have to keep trying, no matter what, until the
day we meet our maker. I think it is very important to never give up; to
always persevere.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">But what do you do when you've
been shut out?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
What do you do when you hear wonderful and spirit-filled promises, but in the
end you're still forgotten?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
What do you do when it seems as though the leaders of your church somehow find
ways to blame<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>you </b>for
their mistakes?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<b>OUR DAUGHTER WAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST!</b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
At church.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
What. The. Heck!?!?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
It's been another month.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
That means it's been<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>FIVE<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>months since the incident.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Good grief!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
We have been trying to be more active in "our new ward," but it is
difficult to throw yourself into something, or somewhere, which you are not
sure if you belong.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Leah actually spent the entire 2 hour block in Primary, 2 weeks ago. I
was so scared to send her, but I am so glad we did!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
She didn't need an assistant.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
She was welcomed just as she is. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
I could feel the leader's gentleness and love for her.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Leah was just perfect. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
It's such a shame that a ward who has barely met my kiddo treats her so much
better then the ward where she was born and has grown up. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
I needed to feel their love for Leah. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Heavenly Father knew I needed to feel that love.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
We even went to Stake Conference (a conference set up by our church for all of
the area wards. It is like having all of the parishes within a 100 mile radius
or so, gather together and have mass).</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
We NEVER go to Stake Conference.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
But we did last week.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
We're trying. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Our leaders are not.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
I've even heard that it is being said that we are unwilling
to compromise. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Seriously?!?!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
I just think they don't want to deal with us.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
We've had a bunch of lip-service and absolutely NO actions.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">OUR DAUGHTER WAS DISCRIMINATED
AGAINST!</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">At their church.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">They have control over
that. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It is THEIR responsibility to
fix it.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We've even mentioned (a month
ago) that we would be willing to consider any decision the leaders made, as
long as it would address the situation.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We said we would pray about the
decision and if it was right, we would do what was suggested.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The decision:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"We'd like to invite you
back to the ward."</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">That's it.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Nothing else.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">So, the decision was:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"Suck it up and come back.
We don't want to deal with the discrimination and you are the ones who
need to bend and change for us. It's too much to ask for anything more
then an invitation."</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Just for the record, we were
willing to have meetings, trainings, and conversations with the person
who hurt Leah/us so badly.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We were willing to listen and
teach.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We were willing to forgive.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">But no one suggested that.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">No one thought anything more
then an invitation was justified.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The blame is being placed
totally on us because...</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">OUR DAUGHTER WAS DISCRIMINATED
AGAINST!</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I need to move on.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">But, I am not one to give up...
remember, I really do believe in enduring to the end and persevering.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I don't take "No" for
an answer when it's something I believe in.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">In our church we have these
things called Patriarchal Blessings.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A Patriarchal Blessing is like
a blueprint for your life. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">You can read more about it<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.lds.org/topics/patriarchal-blessings?lang=eng"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">My blessing says,</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"May
you always stand for what is right. May you be involved in government and
in organizations that have good intentions, so that you will make a difference
to many and by doing so, you will specifically make a difference in your
children's lives...You will be exhilarated as you utilize your
talents on behalf of those children that Father in Heaven will share with you.
Not just those children that have been born to you, but those children
who are within the Church of Jesus Christ."</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I interpret that to mean that I
shouldn't go away easily. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">That I need to stand up for
what's right, especially when children are involved.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is exactly the situation I
suppose my blessing is talking about.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">But I am becoming blue in the
face!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">OUR DAUGHTER WAS DISCRIMINATED
AGAINST!</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And nothing has been done about
it!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Ridiculous. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I think the Lockport ward
should put a sign above it's door that says, </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">"All
are welcome (unless you [or your child/children] have a disability, or are
unwilling to do what you're told to do even when you know it's wrong, or will
question us, or will disagree with us, or will ask us to move outside our
comfort zones, or are anything besides the cookie-cutter Mormon and if you are
anything like was just mentioned our leaders will hurt you and ignore you and forget
about you until you just give up and then they will place all the blame on you
for giving up)."</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">That's a sign which would be
fitting for the way we've been treated.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">No wonder so many people have
left.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-1469512784096101602013-05-02T11:46:00.000-04:002013-05-02T11:46:06.709-04:00Spent<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a few things I feel I need to express about my previous post...</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was written with raw emotion. Please forgive me for not proofreading the post before I submitted it. By the time I reread it, there was so much traffic on the blog that I didn't feel like I should edit it or take it down. So it sits where it is, bad grammar and all. ;)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I wrote it because I needed <em>someone </em>to understand.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Someone</em> who didn't make excuses for the way we were treated. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Someone</em> who empathized.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Someone</em> who could help.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have had a few friends who have tried really hard to help me through this. They have given the best advice they could. They have been great friends.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">But, they didn't "get it" because they don't have a child with special needs.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Or, they didn't "get it" because they have children with special needs, but they are not members of my church.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Or, they didn't "get it" because they do have children with special needs, and are members of my church, but they have never experienced anything like this before.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Steven and I have really been so alone and lost.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For <strong>four</strong> months.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We have had tons of support since I posted about our trials and we are extremely grateful.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our Bishop has reached out to us in a perfect and Christ-like way since I posted. We take great comfort in this.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It has been <strong>four </strong>months of hurt though, so it will take some time to heal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For now, we really don't know where to go or what to do.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We are still lost.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We just want to go to church.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a perfect church. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The spirit is undeniable.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We have witnessed lots of miracles in our church, many of which included Leah.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">When Leah was born, shortly after her diagnosis was given, Steven and another man from our church gave her a blessing. They laid their hands on her head, pronounced a blessing upon her in the name of Christ and by the power of the Priesthood which they held, and blessed her. I don't know what that blessing said. I wasn't there when they gave it. What I do know is that before the blessing was given, the NICU was full of unhappy babies. Most of the infants were crying and the nurses were <em>stressed.</em> When the blessing was pronounced, the babies stopped crying. Instantly, the NICU was quiet and it remained that way for the duration of the blessing. When it was over, the babies went back to their tears, it became loud again, and the nurses were back in the weeds. The nurses used to love to talk about this with me. When the NICU was especially rowdey, they would ask if Steven could come back and do it again. It was a miracle. A small and simple miracle, yet a miracle all it's own.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can not deny my church. It is a church of love. A church of miracles. A church of Christ. </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is a perfect church.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is also a church of imperfect people (including and especially, the Sones').</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">But the pain we've experienced because of imperfect people is also undeniable. </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There is no pain comparable to the pain a parent endures when their child(ren) are hurt. </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Leah was not "hurt" per say, but just because she doesn't know she was being discriminated towards, does that make it ok?</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is my job to defend and protect her. Steven and I were given the callings of being her earthly advocates. We are to fight for her as hard and as long as we have to, with anyone and anywhere we have to. We were called to protect and nurture her.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We advocate for her today, on this earth, with the hopes that she will advocate for us in eternity, when we have all left this earth and we meet our Heavenly Father.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My church teaches that children who have special needs, especially cognitive delays, are perfect. They are so perfect that they don't even need to be baptized (although they can if they want to). They are literal celestial beings on this earth. There is nothing closer to perfection then a child who has Down syndrome.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>This is my church.</em></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We could visit another ward (and have been), which would teach the same things as the ward we belong to now does. But we love our ward. We love the people in our ward. We love the friendships and the memories of our ward. We don't want to leave because of a few imperfect people who make <strong>really </strong>bad choices. </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We're also spent.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've cried more tears in the past <strong>four</strong> months, then I've cried in years.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our testimonies have been beat up but we've been fighting as hard as we can to hold onto them.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It takes so much energy to not let yourself fade away.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It takes so much energy to try to force people to hear you.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It takes so much energy to try to understand how people could forget you. </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It takes so much energy to not be angry.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It takes so much energy just to hold on.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It takes so much energy to forgive.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It takes so much energy to fight against satan.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And our energy is gone. We are spent. We give.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We have to find a way to get past this so we can rebuild. But we don't have the energy. </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, just going back fixes nothing. We can't and we won't do that. We will not put our daughter in a situation to be discriminated against, we don't care where it is. Something has to be done to fix what was done. Ignoring it will just allow it to happen again. And, how can we leave things the way they are? What if another child moves into our ward and it happens again? </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">But, we don't have any answers. We can not think of any way to fix it. </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Like I said, we are spent.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We have to leave it in the hands of the leaders who have the authority to fix it and we have faith that they will.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Until they do, we will be lost. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br />We will be in a ward where we don't belong.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
We will miss our friends.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
We will still be using all of that wasted energy to hold onto the frailness of our testimonies.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
I fear that we will not grow. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
We will do our best...</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
But leaving things left unsettled will not help us strengthen ourselves again.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
I think our leaders just don't know what to do.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
And, neither do we. </div>
</span></span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-57050382848130962922013-04-29T14:50:00.002-04:002013-04-29T15:40:34.472-04:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of
the definitions of discrimination as defined by the World English Dictionary
is: unfair treatment of a person, racial group, minority, etc; action based on prejudice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’ve
experienced our first serious act of discrimination towards Leah in what is
supposed to be a place free from such things; church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four
months ago Leah moved up to a big girl (Sunday school-like) class, called
Primary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before she
did, I spoke to the leader of that group and told her that we treat Leah as we
would treat any of our children. I explained
to her Leah’s behaviors; her shorter attention span for sitting but her
willingness to be redirected, her inability to speak like the other 3 year olds
but her strength for understanding even if she can’t communicate that
understanding, her love for music, her tendency to push her limits but her
willingness to learn from discipline and praise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I basically gave this leader a few tools to
use if Leah became naughty, but really I just wanted to break the ice a little
because this leader had no experience with my peanut.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(FYI-
Leah is considered socially age-appropriate. Meaning: she acts like a 3 ½ year
old. Her behavior is very typical 3 ½ year old behavior. She has no social
delay.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next
week I dropped off Leah like I would any child.
I walked the halls to make sure she was doing well and she seemed fine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following
week this leader told me that I would have to sit with Leah during her classes
because they, “needed help with her.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sat
with her. I didn’t see any behaviors that were untypical. She was naughty. She banged on the piano. She colored on the
chair. She tried to color on another child’s paper. But she was easily
redirected, especially when music was involved (kinda like I said;)). She behaved like a 3 1/2 year old. Nothing more, nothing less.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Steven
and I decided that we would not sit with her again. We felt as though she didn’t need us to
babysit her. We dropped her off the next class, just like we did the first
week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
leader was upset.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She told
Steven that someone HAD to sit with her.
She said Leah was just too disruptive to the other children. She told Steven that they would be calling
(assigning) someone to sit with her every week from then on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was
furious.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah did
not need a babysitter. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were
never asked about any of these choices.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My kid
was being singled out because she has Down syndrome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pulled
her from that class.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
leader tried to stop me from leaving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She began
to explain how disruptive Leah was to <b><i>her</i></b> primary. She told me that it was unfair to the other
children to have Leah be so naughty. She acted like I was never there with her,
like I didn’t spend an entire class with her (of the 2 she had). She began to discipline
me for not talking to her about my concerns, regarding their treatment of Leah,
sooner. (I was informed of all of the decisions they were making for my
daughter at the time of drop off).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was
HORRIBLE!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We left.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We haven’t
been back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’ve
been visiting another church in the meantime.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’ve
reached out to the local leaders of our church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their responses,
in a nutshell…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You are
going to have to deal with things like this Leah’s whole life, get used to it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You have
to be more considerate towards other’s feelings; they just don’t know how to
act around your daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You’re
being intolerant.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we
asked specifically if the leaders would pray about an outcome which would be
sufficient to making us comfortable sending our daughter back, our reponse was:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“We’d
like to invite you back to the ward.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No training
of the Primary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No
meeting of the Primary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are
being treated like WE did something wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I wasn’t
living through this, I wouldn’t believe it; it’s completely unbelievable!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
leaders of this Primary are uncomfortable around my kid. They are treating her
as if she has the plague. Their answer to their discomfort, is to
segregate her and to try to make US change.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If my kid
was black, would this be acceptable behavior?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Would I
be the one being told that I needed to change if this stuff happened because
my kid was black?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What’s
the difference?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess
it’s just easier to ignore the problem then to fix it…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But this
is CHURCH! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And their
discrimination is being ignored by our leaders!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what
do you do when the one place which should be welcoming, Christ-like, tolerant,
and accepting, discriminates against you or someone you love?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talk
about testing of the faith! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">UGH. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-35847510574805126982012-04-02T08:57:00.002-04:002012-04-02T09:01:50.175-04:00Her soul IS great.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today is one of THOSE days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Actually, it started yesterday after watching a talk from Robert A. Rasband, President of the Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can watch it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNTE8CxUdKY&sns=fb" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The talk is about the greatness of souls. It talks about the <em>burden</em>s of parenting a child with special needs, and the <em>beauty</em> of parenting a child with special needs. But, you can watch it and see for yourself. You will probably get your own interpretation because that’s how these talks work. This is just my own reaction to what I heard spoken to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, the talk began by making me realize how very blessed we are that Leah is so healthy and is doing so remarkably.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I switched gears and started thinking,<em> No, this actually kinda sucks. Why does MY kid have to have Down syndrome…</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next came…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why did Heavenly Father send her to us, why does SHE have to struggle so much? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">If people who are born with, or develop disabilities are so magnificent in the eyes of heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, why do they have to experience so much hardship?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grateful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">That was what I felt next. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for all of the love that has been shown to us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for the service we have been given that I am not sure I will ever be able to repay. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for the support that amazes us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for the spirit that is guiding us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for the gospel and the strength it has given me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">After the talk was over, I started the whole process again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I cried.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I whined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I questioned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I argued.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I realized.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I understood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This talk drew so many emotions in me, which I really needed to feel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">But those emotions aren’t always fun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">They hurt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, Leah has her last IFSP review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, I will go through these emotions probably another 100 times. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">But through all of it…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I KNOW Leah is blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I KNOW we are blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I KNOW the worth of her soul is great.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I KNOW Heavenly Father is with us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I KNOW we have heavenly messengers around us who have done more for my family in the past 2 ½ years than most people have experienced in their lifetime’s. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I KNOW one day Leah’s body will fit the perfection of her soul.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I KNOW this was all part of a plan that’s bigger than me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I KNOW it’s going to be ok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">(But sometimes I wish I didn’t need to know it all.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-79334036973692501282012-03-26T14:43:00.000-04:002012-03-26T14:43:14.985-04:00Who Will She Marry?<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We’re back again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Leah is well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sometimes a little too well! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Honestly, we are still trying to figure out where we fit in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Leah is still making huge strides!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Her only “real” delay is in her fine motor skills, and we’ve changed therapists to one who will hopefully help them improve. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Our previous therapist was a really wonderful woman, but she had limitations set for Leah, so Leah was limited. The new therapist is already challenging Leah, she understands my desire to push Leah, and she will not give her an excuse because she has Down syndrome. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Before I made the change official, I spoke to the therapist to make sure she understood my wishes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">She did!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Leah is really amazing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">She has the appearance of Down syndrome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">She has the traits associated with Down syndrome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">She has some health concerns which are common with those who have Down syndrome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">BUT…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">She is cognitively at an age appropriate level.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">She speaks at an (almost) age-appropriate level.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Physically, she is only minorly delayed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">She is severely delayed in her fine motor skills, but I know that will change pretty rapidly with this new therapist, just as it did when we switched to an appropriate level of services with her new physical therapist. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But, Leah has Down syndrome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">None of her accomplishments are common with children who have Down syndrome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">All kids have unlimited potential, including those with disabilities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But, Leah is shattering a glass ceiling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Most of her friends are too, but not as quickly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Those who shared the same level of accomplishments a year ago are falling behind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It is so hard for me to brag because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I don’t want people to think I am boasting or prideful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I don’t want to seem like I’m ever saying my kid is better than anyone else’s.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I don’t want to ever hurt anyone’s feelings…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But, I’m a Mama, and what Mama doesn’t want to brag?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My heart is sad every time I see someone comment on my Facebook posts that they wished their child did what Leah was doing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I wish they were too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I wish we were all experiencing the same miracles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I wish all of our kids were so healthy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I wish I knew where we fit in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We don’t fit in with typical kids because Leah has Down syndrome, we don’t fit in with kids who have Down syndrome because Leah is so untypical.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I know I’ve said this before, but it really is a difficult place to be in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I wonder who Leah will marry?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Seriously.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Say she continues on her same path.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Say she has a normal IQ and becomes a teacher or something?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">What typical boy would want to marry a girl who has Down syndrome? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And honestly, if she is typical in every way besides her appearance, would she want to marry a boy who has Down syndrome?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I just see her heart getting broken.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And, it breaks my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Don’t get me wrong, I am incredibly grateful for the amazing blessings we have been given.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I will be happy with any boy Leah chooses to marry, as long as he is a good boy, and LDS! ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am as impressed with Leah as anyone else is, but I have to understand her limits too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">What mom doesn’t think about who their kids will marry every now and then. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">But, who is she limited to?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Where do we fit in?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">How do we take joy in our accomplishments when they don't fit in with anyone else's?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Who can we share all of our joy with when no one is at the same place?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Leah's delays make her obviously behind typical kids.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Leah's accomplishments make her ahead of kids with Down syndrome. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">If there is someone out there who understands willl you please introduce yourself?!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We could really use some friends right now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I am tired of comparing Leah, or having Leah compared to other kids and I just want to fit in somewhere! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-8410181979088760132011-10-05T17:09:00.004-04:002011-10-05T17:13:47.260-04:00Bragging!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went on a “therapy shopping spree,” at the Dollar Tree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just have to say that the BEST Dollar Tree in the world is in Lockport, NY. Every time I go to another one I am disappointed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyways, we bought a ton o’ stuff.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah’s been having so much fun with it all. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of this new stuff has just reinforced how smart my little pumpkin head is. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has played “appropriately” with all of it, except the wooden beads because I have to sand the inside of them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even with those however, she tries really hard to get the string through the holes…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah’s speech is improving.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is beginning to spontaneously verbalize many more words.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She signs and asks for “juice” or “milk” when she’s thirsty.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She signs and asks for “eat” when she’s hungry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She makes the “yuk” sound when she needs a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">diaper change.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(We are getting a potty very soon… had one in the cart today but I think I will wait just a few more weeks until I am ready to work on it with her)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She says “all done” when she’s done.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She says “please” when she wants something.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She says “hi” when she sees someone new…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a LOT more but I don’t want to bore everyone…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah is trying to jump now and we are working on strengthening her back muscles. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah’s core is VERY strong. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think it’s all of those ball exercises we did to get her to learn to crawl, sit up, and walk.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, her back is pretty weak and she slouches. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So back to the ball we go.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve also been having her do over-the-head activities as well as wheel barrels to strengthen her shoulders…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve been trying to save for an iPad for her but every time I get some saved, something comes up! :(</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, iPads are very beneficial for little ones; it is not just a Mama wish list item.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully that will come soon.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if anyone has an extra iPad they’re looking to sell, give me a shout ok? :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah knows (signs, says, and can pick out) the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. We are working on white, black, brown, and pink.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I swear Signing Times music is so helpful with teaching this kid. I don’t know what I would do without it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah definitely has her favorites (Baby Signing Times, My Favorite Things, and Family, Feelings, and Fun) but they are all SO wonderful!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I honestly don’t feel bad letting her watch them more than once a day because the repetition is helping her a ton, plus they teach me the signs and I sing the music when we have Mama/Leah play time, it all just reinforces the skills and words.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Except now she’s learned to put the DVD in the ps3 by herself and sometimes she does it upside down when I’m out of the room!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(I never taught her this, I discipline her when she does it, but that darn stubborn Sones’ trait always comes through! ;))</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, see my baby IS a smarty pants. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m not just a bragger! :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-43798246153781906602011-08-24T14:56:00.007-04:002011-08-24T15:51:52.441-04:00Mended Broken Heart<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year several of my friends lost their children.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My heart was just broken for them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And, it continues to mourn with them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ve wondered why Heavenly Father would take these perfect babies, whether they were 3 or 12, into his arms and away from their parents.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Part of me was kinda angry at Him, for them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My faith let me believe that there was a reason and that was all I needed, but I am positive my faith would’ve been pretty stricken if it was my child, just as it was when we received Leah’s diagnosis.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">About a month or two ago Elijah asked me, “What happens to kids when they die, are they grown up in their ‘perfect’ state or are they still kids?”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I told him I wasn’t sure and to ask his daddy or his Primary teacher if they knew.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was so grateful for our church at that time, as I am most times, because of its encouragement to ask questions and seek answers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was definitely a question I was very interested in hearing the answer to.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elijah came to me a few weeks later and said,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh yeah mom, I asked Brother Durrant the other day that question about babies.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-(By then I forgot all about the question)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Brother Durrant is his Primary teacher.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“He said that when children die, their parents get to raise them when they get to heaven. So they might miss out on a lot of things on Earth but when they are all in heaven they do it together there, just better.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pretty profound, huh?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It definitely gives me comfort for my friends.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s just another reason why I love Heavenly Father so much, He always has the perfect answers for every situation. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am also grateful for Elijah’s curious mind and how he was able to put my restless mind at ease with his curiosity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<br />
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-89998726555504248212011-08-23T09:53:00.001-04:002011-08-23T09:55:21.695-04:00Puzzles<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I’m hoping that when school starts for the other kids, I will have more time to blog about our lives with Leah. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Don’t get me wrong, I do NOT want my kids to go back to school in a few weeks. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I love having them home and I can’t believe the summer is already over.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I will miss them terribly throughout my day.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>But, I gotta start to try to find things to look forward to or I will become very sad. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I haven’t had much time to blog since we’ve moved.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>To be quite honest, I haven’t blogged much in part because of time restraints and also because I have been tip-toeing around things I write. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>When I can’t let it all out, I can’t write well. I’m a very emotional writer. So, take away the emotion, take away the writing.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I haven’t wanted to hurt any of my fellow Down syndrome mom’s feelings because of Leah’s abilities and her continued success.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I haven’t wanted to hurt my therapist friend’s feelings because I may come down hard on some of their colleagues.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I haven’t wanted to hurt my other kids’ feelings because I write so much about Leah and not them.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>But it’s gotta stop.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I need to blog.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>It’s great therapy for me and helps me process my part in Leah’s life much easier.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I also love the input and advice I get when I have a concern about her development.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I can’t have it both ways, so I’ve decided to put all of my guards and protective nature away, and blog with raw emotion.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>It’s really the only way I can with any meaning…</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>…Leah’s therapists are okay.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Some are MUCH better than others.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>One, we’ve only seen 3 times in 4 months.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Services are definitely not the same in a rural area. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I’m finding that Leah is having to reprove herself all over again.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>In Niagara County, her therapists worked with her pretty much since birth, so they were able to follow her progress throughout her life.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>So, even though her skills seemed so shocking and impressive, they knew she could do it; they were just ready for a surprise most visits.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Here, some of her therapists have a typical “Down syndrome lack of abilities” mentality and they don’t have that experience with her to change their thought processes.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>They are making her prove her abilities over and over and over again.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been preaching repetition, but this really isn’t repetition. They seem to not believe she can do it, so when she does it, it’s a fluke and she has to prove she can do it again, and again.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>We have to ensure she masters a skill but even mastery seems like luck, in one particular therapist’s opinion.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>For example Leah has been working on puzzles on and off, for what seems like a year or more. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>(I think it’s really been about 6 months)</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>So, her new teacher brings her a puzzle with 5 pieces.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>She only lets Leah try 3 of those pieces.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Leah puts them all in and takes them out, plus one she grabs with her quick hands. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Then she puts the 4 back in.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>But, her teacher won’t let her try the 5th because, “it’s too far away for her to reach.”</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Later in the day I pull out a puzzle that has 9 pieces, which I’ve just been holding onto until she got a little bigger.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>She takes out all 9 AND puts all 9 back in the exact places they belong!</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>So, on Sunday at church I used some of their puzzles and she did…</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Every. Single. One.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>She also was able to do a very abstract puzzle that just consisted of putting shapes (with no pegs) in a place to make a picture. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>She tried fitting 4 triangles in a kite.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>No color to match.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>No picture to match.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>She had to realize what was missing.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>She had to find the right shape out of several different shapes (circles, squares, ovals, rectangles).</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>AND put the triangles in the right way (they were not perfect triangles).</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>She. Did. Every. Single. One.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I think she’s ready to move beyond the 3 puzzle pieces her teacher was only willing to let her try, what do you think?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>How do I ensure Leah is challenged when her therapists don’t seem willing to challenge her or believe she can be</strong></span>?<br />
<br />
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-4624058188380072662011-07-10T02:39:00.009-04:002015-07-11T00:06:43.972-04:00Two years ago...<span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-size: 130%;">Two years ago…<br /><br />I had some pretty consistent contractions starting around 3pm.<br /><br />Of course, we were preparing for company who only traveled 1500 miles to see US!<br /><br />(No, really they were here for the Hill Cumorah Pageant and they just stopped by since they were close, but I like to say it was for US! :))<br /><br />So we threw them a pizza and said, “See ya later, gotta go have a baby!”<br /><br />Just FYI, the Wren family is pretty fantastic.<br /><br />They not only cleaned up after themselves, but they left money for the pizza we were supposed to be providing and even took our trash out to the road before they left!<br /><br />Gosh, I <3 Mormons! ;)<br /><br />So, Steven and I took the kids to my parent’s house and we were on our way to have a baby, who's name still remained a mystery.<br /><br />We arrived at the hospital around 5pm and were sent to a L&D room.<br /><br />I was put on monitors and started eagerly looking at every wave on the screen.<br /><br />I was hoping this was IT!<br /><br />Steven, the kids, and I walked up and down hills for weeks, I was eating fresh pineapple (what seemed like) 2 at a time, I was taking all sorts of natural labor inducing herbs, and using other “techniques” that were “proven” to induce.<br /><br />We were ready to meet our little girl!<br /><br />… She was a quiet little girl from the time she was in the womb.<br /><br />She liked to play at night, but for the most part she was pretty calm.<br /><br />(It was probably from all that walking! She was worn out! :))<br /><br />I felt a different kind of bond with her.<br /><br />Not a better, or a more magnificent, or a more amazing bond then I did with the others, just different.<br /><br />It was like I knew her forever.<br /><br />Like we were old souls together once before.<br /><br />I KNEW her.<br /><br />Back to the labor…<br /><br />I was contracting consistently but not consistently strongly.<br /><br />I was given some cervidil and not much happened with that…<br /><br />Because of my previous c-section, the OBGYN was taking things pretty cautiously.<br /><br />(Of course, my OBGYN was on vacation at the time! How dare she leave me with a stranger! :))<br /><br />So, I was given some pitocin to speed things along.<br /><br />Then a little more…<br /><br />Then a little more…<br /><br />Finally around 3am I started contracting FOR REAL!<br /><br />I could only sleep on my left side because she was lying on that side.<br /><br />If I moved to my right it was like she was tearing apart my hips fiber by fiber, even with the epidural.<br /><br />(I was a strong girl and didn’t need any pain meds until the 2nd upping of pitocin, then I crumbled.)<br /><br />So, the nurse would come in and check me every 30 minutes or so.<br /><br />I was starting to make progress little by little.<br /><br />Around 4:30 she checked me and I was at 5cm.<br /><br />At 4:45 the baby’s heart rate went down.<br /><br />The residents on call were worried.<br /><br />The nurse reassured them that she had just checked me 15 minutes prior and I was only 5cm dilated.<br /></span><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-size: 130%;">She came in and explained that the residents were worried, “even though <em>she</em> told them that the baby was probably just moving down the birth canal and her heart rate just wasn’t monitoring. It’s normal. These residents just over react sometimes!”<br /><br />Then…<br /><br />“Don’t move!”<br /><br />“Don’t push!”<br /><br />“Get the Dr..”<br /><br />“Move the table.”<br /><br />“Jennifer, don’t move or your baby is going to fall on the floor!”<br /><br />“Her head is out!”<br /><br />The doctor runs in.<br /><br />She doesn’t even have time to put her apron on.<br /><br />She literally catches the baby.<br /><br />We have a girl!<br /><br />And she is beautiful!<br /><br />Soft and wrinkly.<br /><br />Warm and snuggly.<br /><br />Her eyes are wide open and looking directly into mine.<br /><br />I’m in love.<br /><br />She goes to her warmer and gets weighed and measured.<br /><br />She almost falls off the scale!<br /><br />Well, it IS her play time, you know! :)<br /><br />Her apgar scores are 9 and 10<br /><br />Finally, we’re all cleaned up and ready to cuddle.<br /><br />“What the heck are we going to name her,” Steven says.<br /><br />“I don’t know, I like Leah.”<br /><br /><em>Leah was NEVER mentioned before.</em><br /><br />Steven says, “Leah?”<br /><br />“Yeah, she looks like a Leah. It’s a beautiful name.”<br /><br />“But I don’t know, how about Sophia?”<br /><br />“Not Sophia. We’ll find something, let’s not rush it,” answered the new Daddy.<br /><br />We sit there in awe and in love with this little love muffin laying and watching us both watch her.<br /><br />"Who does she look like?"<br /><br />"Maybe a little like Emmanuel."<br /><br />"It's so hard to tell when they're this little."<br /><br />We do know, however...<br /><br />She is amazing.<br /><br />We are proud.<br /><br />We are blessed.<br /><br />Happy Birthday Leah.</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-17632765279557238882011-07-02T11:45:00.012-04:002011-07-02T11:53:28.153-04:00My lil' dare devil<span style="font-size:130%;">We have a new teacher!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And, she is incredible!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">You know how you just "click" with someone, well we did!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Whew...<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm going to try not to boo hoo about Leah anymore (or as much) on her blog.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I know there will be trials and stress but when Leah is grown and reads this, I want her to see the good part of her childhood, not just mama whining! :)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So, Leah's been lil' miss social butterfly lately.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She has her play group on Wednesday's, a play date with her buddy once a week, and 2 hours of nursery every Sunday at church.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I've been assigned to one of those hours and it is so nice to watch her play.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I think all of this peer interaction is benefiting her a ton!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Her language has exploded!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Words and phrases are coming out of nowhere!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She has been saying EVERYTHING!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Things like, "bless you".<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Sit Down.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Go outside.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Jessie (my sister's annoying pomapoo). ;)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Get up.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Grandpa.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thank You.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Please...<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">There's a ton more, but I'm sure you get the point.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She is doing all of this completely spontaneously and appropriately! She says them all at the right times! :)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Lil' smarty pants.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She's also becoming more aggressive physically.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Not the hitting and mean kind of aggressive, but more confident in herself.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She is trying her body a little more then she used to.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She's climbing on EVERYTHING!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm the kind of Mama who lets my kids fall a few times so they figure out they need to be careful.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I am a little more careful with Leah because of her neck and joints, but I still let her fall from short distances.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And you know what?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She figured out that falling is NOT fun and has learned how to get down and not to stand on furniture all on her own!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">No formal instruction on how to protect herself.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Do you know how hard it is to sit and watch your baby fall and try NOT to stop her?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Don't get me wrong, it's not like I let her go up a flight of stairs and let her fall down them, I just might let her slide down a few steps.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Or, I move the coffee table out of the way so when she falls off the couch she doesn't hit her head on the wood.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And then I'm right there to comfort her when she does fall.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The other day she climbed up her Little Tykes slide, maneuvered her body to sit on top of it, and slid down.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I was about 10 feet away when she did that and I was biting my nails the whole time.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But, she slid down all. by. herself.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So then she had the cheering Mama right there to scoop her up and give her a big hug and praise!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Little moments like those are definitely ones to keep in the books! :)</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-88940667108518272612011-06-24T13:45:00.002-04:002011-06-24T13:51:33.448-04:00Inspired<span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Last week was tough!<br /><br />Holy Moly!<br /><br />But this week is MUCH better.<br /><br />Thank Goodness.<br /><br />I was talking to Steven one night about my emotions.<br /><br />I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that Down syndrome hits me so hard, just<br />out of the blue.<br /><br />Anyway, I was talking about my concerns with the teacher, and not being able to give<br />Leah the best that she deserves, and worrying about how I will do it on my own, and...<br /><br />He was obviously over my whining and really didn't want to hear anymore of it.<br /><br />That made me sad.<br /><br />I couldn't understand why he would be so cold towards me when I was so upset.<br /><br />Steven is an amazing husband and father.<br /><br />He's the kind of man who makes me feel perfect even on my very worst day.<br /><br />This reaction wasn't like him.<br /><br />Then he said, "Jennifer you're an amazing mother."<br /><br />"You're amazing to all of our children, including Leah."<br /><br />"Our children are the way they are because you are such a great mother."<br /><br />"You just naturally know what to do for them and they all benefit from it."<br /><br />"Stop worrying about things that you have no control over and just be Leah's mom."<br /><br />"She will be amazing just like the other kids, just because you're her mom."<br /><br />Maybe those aren't his EXACT words but that's the gist of it.<br /><br />Yep, I'm a lucky girl, I know.<br /><br />So, I've been trying to take the compliments to heart.<br /><br />I don't think that I'm that great of a mom.<br /><br />He gives me more credit then I deserve, but my kids are pretty fabulous so we must be doing something right.<br /><br />Then, yesterday Leah's PT was here and he was tapping her hands and feet very rapidly. I asked him why he did that. He said because it helps to wake up her nerves and will help stimulate her resting responses a little because she was being pretty floppy.<br /><br />She was responding well to the stimulation and he said, "She seems to like it."<br /><br />Then I said, "I do that all the time. I don't know why I do it, but she loves it when I do."<br /><br />I've never done this tapping thing with any of my other kids.<br /><br />It's just something I started with Leah.<br /><br />No one else has ever done it with her either.<br /><br />Until now.<br /><br />Maybe Steven's on to something.<br /><br />Maybe Heavenly Father is equipping us with the instincts we need to parent Leah.<br /><br />Maybe I need to have more confidence in myself and not worry too much about the therapists.<br /><br />Not that I don't appreciate them.<br /><br />If it wasn't for her PT I wouldn't know why I was doing the things I was.<br /><br />I love the extra knowledge they give me and their support is irreplaceable.<br /><br />But I think I need to have more confidence in Heavenly Father and rely more on <strong>His</strong> knowledge and blessings, and less concern over what <em>I'm</em> not doing.<br /><br />I love my family.<br /><br />I especially love Steven.<br /><br />He is more then I deserve.<br /><br />He is more inspired then he realizes.<br /><br />He is more inspiring then he knows.<br /><br />Yep, you can all be jealous! ;) </span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-76755245122414267702011-06-16T18:14:00.002-04:002011-06-16T18:20:49.579-04:00I wish I could change...<span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">These stupid emotions!</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">The other day was a tough Down syndrome day.<br /><br />It's the strangest thing , the way these emotions pop up.<br /><br />Literally, one second I'm looking at my sweet princess and I'm in awe of how<br />incredible she is.<br /><br />The next minute, I'm in tears for fear of her future.<br /><br />I think the fact that I felt out of control of her therapies triggered my worry.<br /><br />I just want what's best for her and I was scared that she wasn't going to get it.<br /><br />So, for the first time in many months, I was crying for my cutie pie.<br /><br />Dangit.<br /><br />I'm all better now.<br /><br />We will be getting a new teacher.<br /><br />And, I am going to explain my expectations from our first meeting, so we are both on the same page.<br /><br />Maybe then we won't have such a conflict.<br /><br />I'm happy that the past few days are behind me<br /><br />This roller coaster ride of emotions is the only part of this whole Down syndrome thing that I would change.</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-78204246842752209302011-06-14T10:30:00.005-04:002011-06-14T22:36:31.905-04:00LostWell, we had to fire our first teacher in our new county.<br /><br />Which wouldn't bother me too much if there were more then TWO teachers in this county!<br /><br />She wasn't a bad teacher, just not right for us.<br /><br />She didn't have much experience with Down syndrome and I believe she didn't think Leah could succeed.<br /><br />We all know otherwise.<br /><br />Maybe I'm wrong, but it's the way I feel and I had to go with my intuition.<br /><br />And, I don't have the patience, or time to waste, to prove Leah's abilities to anyone.<br /><br />I need someone to teach me what the next steps are, not someone who needs me to teach them the learning styles which are typical of individuals with Down syndrome.<br /><br />In my opinion, a special education teacher should have that knowledge already.<br /><br />People with Down syndrome tend to thrive with repetition, consistency, and time to process.<br /><br />At least Leah does.<br /><br />And to me, it makes sense that most would, because of synapse speed and connections in the brain.<br /><br />Anyway, no matter how many times I told her teacher that Leah could do something if you just give her a second to process, she wouldn't listen.<br /><br />Leah has always amazed and impressed any professional who has, or has not, had experience with Down syndrome, because they gave her a chance to amaze and impress them.<br /><br />I didn't get this feeling from her teacher.<br /><br />It was like she was just looking for Leah to fail.<br /><br />Our last IFSP evaluation had Leah at a mild to moderate delay and that was only so we could continue services at their current levels.<br /><br />That doesn't sound like a kid who failed to me.<br /><br />Leah does have some delay, don't get me wrong.<br /><br />But with proper teaching techniques, she works past the delay and catches up quickly.<br /><br />So we needed a change.<br /><br />But, now we don't have a teacher at all!<br /><br />I'm not second-guessing my decision because I prayed about it and that's what I needed to do, but darn it!<br /><br />I miss our old therapists so much! (I should say <em>previous</em>, not <em>old</em>... ;))<br /><br />They taught me so much.<br /><br />They encouraged me so much.<br /><br />They had strong faith in Leah.<br /><br />When we were with them I knew Leah was in the best hands there were.<br /><br />Loosing a teacher just takes away one more resource to rely on.<br /><br />Her other therapists are great resources, it just feels like I'm missing a piece of the puzzle.<br /><br />Make sense?<br /><br />Leah's previous teacher did recommend a HELP (Hawaii Early Learning Profile) activity guide that would help supplement Leah's therapists in case we didn't have services for a while.<br /><br />But, I'm a visual/hand's on learner.<br /><br />I need to watch it done so I can do it myself.<br /><br />I read the activities in the manual and they make sense, but when I go to implement those activities, they just don't seem to work.<br /><br />I feel lost.<br /><br />My baby deserves the best and I feel like a failure because I know she's not getting it.<br /><br />I don't want her to fall behind because I can't teach her or because I don't know what skills come next.<br /><br />She is SO smart.<br /><br />But, she needs help.<br /><br />She can't do it on her own.<br /><br />And, neither can I. :'(Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5550688479787067873.post-81852867457040685452011-05-24T13:47:00.005-04:002011-06-16T18:21:11.834-04:00Complete<span style="font-size:130%;">Well here I am.<br /><br />Finally.<br /><br />I've missed blogging, but life has been very full for the last few months, so I haven't had any time to justify blogging.<br /><br />Today a belt broke on the lawn mower, or I would be spending the next 3 hours cutting the grass instead of doing this (dangit! ;))<br /><br />We are all adjusting nicely to the newest transition in our lives.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The kids are still "rockstars" at their new schools and thankfully their grades have not slipped in any way.<br /><br />Steven doesn't mind the 45 minute commute too much, because he has the serenity of the country to welcome him home.<br /><br />I'm falling more and more in love with our new digs every day!<br /><br />Leah is doing very well.<br /><br />She is getting very big though.<br /><br />So far, so good with her new therapists although, I have some reservations about her teacher. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Her speech therapist is very warm and kind and Leah seems to have taken to her quickly.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Her occupational therapist is amazing.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And, we are seeing her physical therapist for the first time on Thursday.<br /><br />They only have one PT for the entire county!<br /><br />We were spoiled with our previous therapists.<br /><br />I miss them all very much.<br /><br />And, with all of the craziness of the move, we never got to say good bye.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;">::sigh::</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Lately, we've been working on following more broader directions, like: "Leah throw this in the garbage please."<br /><br />She is starting to understand more concepts but she needs consistency, that's for sure.<br /><br />Leah is also beginning to use her vocabulary more without needing prompting.<br /><br />Words like no, all done, thank you, hi, and bye bye come now without anyone telling her to say them.<br /><br />We are working on more, please, and I love you as well as trying to get her to ask for things instead of just telling us when she doesn't like/want something.<br /><br />I keep falling more and more in love with this kid.<br /><br />She's my buddy.<br /><br />She has an incredible personality.<br /><br />She's as stubborn as could be.<br /><br />She's very prissy.<br /><br />She's incredibly loving.<br /><br />She is shy.<br /><br />She is outgoing.<br /><br />She is silly.<br /><br />She is super serious.<br /><br />She is inquisitive.<br /><br />She is smart.<br /><br />She is beautiful.<br /><br />She is amazing.<br /><br />She seems to know me just as well as anyone else does.<br /><br />She seems to know more then I could imagine.<br /><br />She seems far more knowledgeable then her years.<br /><br />My life wouldn't be complete without her.<br /><br />Now to decide if there's one more waiting to make it completely complete... </span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233517918775173949noreply@blogger.com0