...Kennedy got her iPad yesterday from school!! While she doesn't yet have all the apps on it, she does have a few lite versions of apps to use over Christmas break. Let me just tell you that my girl has not put the thing down for the last 24 hours! She is reading books on it, playing math games on it, and spelling words---and she is having fun!! She has no idea she is also learning which is just amazing. She's also been working on getting familiar with the keyboard and is getting pretty quick at typing her name.
When the week started, I had no idea she would be able to bring it home with her over the break, but I was hoping she would be able to work on learning how to maneuver her way around on it. The technology assessment happened a month ago and I had to track down the report from Spalding University because it apparently never made it to the school a week after the assessment.... But I emailed Spalding (who did the assessment) and two days later the school had the report. Not sure why it was so easy for me to get it taken care of, but not so easy for the school. (I have my thoughts and those close to me know my thoughts, but no need to post it here) :) I have definitely learned that if I don't advocate for my child, no one at her school will. Who would have thought when the iPad was suggested for her in MAY, it would finally be in her hands by the end of DECEMBER?? Now 1/2 a school year has been wasted on people dragging their feet.....but the good news is she has it and we are very, very thankful for that!
In other news, it should be just a matter of a couple months before Kennedy can begin receiving MPW services. We have sent in her budget and we have some fantastic people who are willing to work with her so I'm very excited about it! Also, Kennedy informed me recently that she wanted to change her last name. I was pretty excited thinking that she wanted to take Jeremy's last name too, but she quickly informed me that she wanted the last name of one of her best buddies. She already thinks she's part of their family anyway... lol
Lately, I've really been feeling God putting something on my heart-- the need to start a group for Special Needs Parenting. I hate to call it a support group, but I feel that it would be great to be able to share stories, setbacks, and successes with other parents who understand. I am not really sure where to start with all of this so it's definitely a work in progress.
So that's a quick update and I will try my best to update more often now that my computer is fixed. Hopefully Kennedy will be making lots of progress worth sharing over the next several months. Merry Christmas to everyone!!
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
1st grade kick-off
Today was the 3rd day of school and Kennedy is already less than excited about the school year. This morning, she ate very little for breakfast despite our begging, pleading, and threatening. On the way to school she looked at me and said "My belly really hurts." I could tell from her face that it wasn't that she was hungry, but that she really didn't feel good. I told her I would walk her in and take her to the bathroom and stay with her until I knew she was ok. Then she said, "Will you stay with me for writing too?" I told her I didn't think the teacher would let me stay because parents were supposed to drop the kids off and then leave. She was really upset by this. She hates writing because she tires so easily and she has tremors in her hands so penmanship is not her strong point and she gets frustrated.
We got to school and she slowly walked across the parking lot, clingy to my hand and just whimpering. I quickly took her to the bathroom and she didn't really have to go. I walked her to the gym then she begged me to stay with her until her class came out and headed to her room. I think her little tummy was just upset from her nerves and I just hate that for her. In turn, I was feeling sick all day myself because I was worried about her.
Fortunately, I already had a meeting scheduled with her teacher for this afternoon so I talked with him for about 45 minutes about Kennedy. He was very interested in learning about Kennedy and told my mom and I some things he had observed thus far--which were actually good things. She has been raising her hand and answering questions correctly so far. She has been chatty with her friends sitting next to her. He also gave me a couple leads on teachers who tutor kids after school, however I'm not sure that one would be a very good personality fit for Kennedy. The teacher also told me that the kids will have math homework every night, spelling words to learn every week, and some other reading homework throughout the week. I could have just cried right there at his desk. Math is one of the most frustrating subjects for her. Which means homework time will be less than fun in our house. Also, the thought of her learning spelling words AND having to learn to write them when she already has such a hard time writing just makes me sad. I hope to goodness they can get Kennedy's iPad soon so that she can type her homework. Honestly, I don't know how we're going to make it through the school year without some super-powered tutoring....and any other help we can get. Please keep Kennedy in your prayers that we can assemble the right team of mentors/tutors to help her succeed this year.
In other news, we had a rough weekend with the Depakote Sprinkles again. Kennedy gags on whatever food I put them in and makes herself throw up. It's not fun and definitely frustrating because administering it takes FOREVER. Yesterday before church, Kennedy learned that she could just clamp her mouth shut and refuse it all together. I had to hold her head up against the wall and literally force her to take it. I felt awful afterwards, but I knew that we had no choice and not taking it was NOT an option. So last night and this morning I gave her some of the Depakote liquid medicine that I had left over from before all the medication changes and it was much more pleasant. So this morning, I called Vanderbilt and told them that for the sanity of my entire family, they have to put us back on the liquid medicine again. So.......we're back to the original two medicines that we were on before our checkup in early July. Basically we had a month of medication changes for nothing and returned to the medicine that worked the best in the first place. Talk about a waste of time. But Kennedy was MUCH happier with taking two medications tonight since it was in liquid form. When Kennedy is happy---everyone is happy!
So today had some ups and some downs. Hopefully we can get through this school thing. I see MANY sleepless nights ahead......
We got to school and she slowly walked across the parking lot, clingy to my hand and just whimpering. I quickly took her to the bathroom and she didn't really have to go. I walked her to the gym then she begged me to stay with her until her class came out and headed to her room. I think her little tummy was just upset from her nerves and I just hate that for her. In turn, I was feeling sick all day myself because I was worried about her.
Fortunately, I already had a meeting scheduled with her teacher for this afternoon so I talked with him for about 45 minutes about Kennedy. He was very interested in learning about Kennedy and told my mom and I some things he had observed thus far--which were actually good things. She has been raising her hand and answering questions correctly so far. She has been chatty with her friends sitting next to her. He also gave me a couple leads on teachers who tutor kids after school, however I'm not sure that one would be a very good personality fit for Kennedy. The teacher also told me that the kids will have math homework every night, spelling words to learn every week, and some other reading homework throughout the week. I could have just cried right there at his desk. Math is one of the most frustrating subjects for her. Which means homework time will be less than fun in our house. Also, the thought of her learning spelling words AND having to learn to write them when she already has such a hard time writing just makes me sad. I hope to goodness they can get Kennedy's iPad soon so that she can type her homework. Honestly, I don't know how we're going to make it through the school year without some super-powered tutoring....and any other help we can get. Please keep Kennedy in your prayers that we can assemble the right team of mentors/tutors to help her succeed this year.
In other news, we had a rough weekend with the Depakote Sprinkles again. Kennedy gags on whatever food I put them in and makes herself throw up. It's not fun and definitely frustrating because administering it takes FOREVER. Yesterday before church, Kennedy learned that she could just clamp her mouth shut and refuse it all together. I had to hold her head up against the wall and literally force her to take it. I felt awful afterwards, but I knew that we had no choice and not taking it was NOT an option. So last night and this morning I gave her some of the Depakote liquid medicine that I had left over from before all the medication changes and it was much more pleasant. So this morning, I called Vanderbilt and told them that for the sanity of my entire family, they have to put us back on the liquid medicine again. So.......we're back to the original two medicines that we were on before our checkup in early July. Basically we had a month of medication changes for nothing and returned to the medicine that worked the best in the first place. Talk about a waste of time. But Kennedy was MUCH happier with taking two medications tonight since it was in liquid form. When Kennedy is happy---everyone is happy!
So today had some ups and some downs. Hopefully we can get through this school thing. I see MANY sleepless nights ahead......
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Progress Reports
This past Friday, I was at work when I received a text from Kennedy's FABULOUS teacher telling me that she was sending home a progress report for me to see. In fact, she said it would be perfect blog material. :) So I picked Kennedy up and before I even got her in the car, I was searching through her backpack for the progress report that I had anticipated seeing all afternoon. The report listed the class average and also listed Kennedy's individual score. And........wait for it.........she was AT or ABOVE the class average on all but one score!!!! I almost couldn't believe it!! She scored "at exceptation" on nearly every score except one in which she scored "approaching expectation."
We recently got Kennedy's report card as well and again, it was progress across the board. She has consistently made improvements throughout the school year. Of course, we still have things to work on, I love seeing the progress every quarter.
How's that for a child that I was told would "probably always be in special classes" and may never be as smart as other kids?? That just goes to show that doctors are not always right. Unfortunately, I think too many times, when doctors give their "professional opinions," we have a tendency to believe nothing more (or less) is possible. Sure, I could have given up on Kennedy, and at times I was probably closer to giving up than I care to admit. But where would Kennedy be today if I hadn't pushed her to do her very best? I would have only held her back and not seen her potential! And who knows what that child is capable of accomplishing in her lifetime. I could have just heard her diagnosis, came home, and not expected much from her while we watched our lives waste away. But instead, I've pushed her and encouraged her to become independent. I'm not always going to be on this earth and it's my job to prepare Kennedy to be self-sufficient. I don't baby her---at least not too much any more. And now, I have a bright little girl who is holding her own in a regular Kindergarten classroom! A little girl, by the way, that tells me every morning that she wants to "go to Western" she she grows up. I think that's a pretty realistic dream if I say so myself!
We recently got Kennedy's report card as well and again, it was progress across the board. She has consistently made improvements throughout the school year. Of course, we still have things to work on, I love seeing the progress every quarter.
How's that for a child that I was told would "probably always be in special classes" and may never be as smart as other kids?? That just goes to show that doctors are not always right. Unfortunately, I think too many times, when doctors give their "professional opinions," we have a tendency to believe nothing more (or less) is possible. Sure, I could have given up on Kennedy, and at times I was probably closer to giving up than I care to admit. But where would Kennedy be today if I hadn't pushed her to do her very best? I would have only held her back and not seen her potential! And who knows what that child is capable of accomplishing in her lifetime. I could have just heard her diagnosis, came home, and not expected much from her while we watched our lives waste away. But instead, I've pushed her and encouraged her to become independent. I'm not always going to be on this earth and it's my job to prepare Kennedy to be self-sufficient. I don't baby her---at least not too much any more. And now, I have a bright little girl who is holding her own in a regular Kindergarten classroom! A little girl, by the way, that tells me every morning that she wants to "go to Western" she she grows up. I think that's a pretty realistic dream if I say so myself!
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