when did this happen?
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| Sat, 03-01-2008 - 10:56am |
High school transition that is. I am observing the recomended program for Cait on Tuesday then attending a parent orientation Tuesday night. WHO SAID they were allowed to grow up?
The orientation letter came home this week and I admit it was one of those bummer events. Her teacher had highlighted the important parts for me. On the bottom was a notice about certain groups meeting earlier as an extra thing. AVID in the cafeteria, GATE in the auditorium, International Baccalaureates Program in the gym and.... Special Education (highlighted for us to attend) in some little corner room.
It has been one of those weeks when the kids special needs just kind of hit me. Cait had another seizure a week ago and double vision again this week. She wanted to try out for the school soccer team yesterday but totally did not understand the expectations and was unprepared. I was just so glad she wanted to try. I had no expectations that she would make the team but thought maybe water girl or 3rd string. I thought the first try out they would get the info on what they needed, do some running, etc. I wasn't planning on buying her gear until I knew what was going on. Well all the other kids had shin guards, their own balls, etc. I offered to find some around the house for Cait (Emily's shin guards, etc) and bring them to her but she was so frustrated by this point she just didn't want to anymore. That and all the teasing "popular" kids were trying out. So she just left.
Her history class does these mini "plays" in class. The kids get dressed up and act out some part of history. Cait was under the impression from the teacher that she would have a "big part" this time in the "law day". She never had before and she LOVES acting. They were to get their parts yesterday. She was obsessing on it all week. She got a generic juror part and i guess all the usual kids got the big parts again according to Cait.
The one kid she considered a friend changed to Mike's school earlier this week. You guys who are around for a while remember Mitchell. Well Cait keeps trying to call him and is bummed he left. He doesn't call back and I heard through a friend of his sisters that he doesn't call "because they never talk about anything anyway and its boring". She has no clue. He is more able and she can't even keep up with him socially. Now Mike is following him around like a puppy at school.
Ok, done feeling sorry for myself, lol.




Hi Renee,
I am so sorry to hear about your rough week, but hey, that IS rough stuff so the fact that you are feeling bad seems ... inevitable. Just the continuing seizure activity and double vision, all by self, would be enough for a funk, yes? Cait is a great young lady, and she is managing so much without much extra support, really. The teacher who didn't cast her in a bigger part really should be ashamed of herself, IMHO. Everyone needs to be given a chance to shine, but particularly those brave kids who struggle with extra challenges. More than annoying.
Mitchell sounds like he is struggling with going to a new school, really. I bet this has more to do with the change, less to do with Cait herself, and do they have a friendship where they talk lots on the phone? Malcolm talks on phone sometimes to his pals, but not often. Anyways, maybe he will become friends with Mike and then Cait can see him, too. But it must be hard on Cait to have her friend leave, making her feel more lonely, I would guess.
But it is really something that Cait is doing as well as she is attending public school, even though she has challenges. The schools themselves are not well set up to teach and support our kids, we all know it! It really bites big time. I often feel lucky that I am not in position of having to compare Malcolm to NT kids all the time, and that he gets to work on being with NT kids in smaller, more controlled ways. I like it partly because he doesn't have to be so emotionally overwhelmed by his differences, even though he know he is different. He isn't made to feel "Less than" in any area of his current life, and that is cool! And of course, he is only 10 so there's time for him to be challenged more and have to learn to deal the way Cait is learning.
Remember how strong Cait is, and pat yourself on the back for raising such a fine, independent daughter. Both your kids sound so cool, and really, the world is a pretty hostile place for our kids and we just have to keep working with them on the tools they need to be self-confident, self advocates and enjoy their lives.
Any chance of a call to soccer coach to ask about water girl? Involvement can be a good thing, although that teasing doesn't sound very promising.
Anyways, (((((hugs))))) to you both. That's all many knocks for one week, hope next week brings lighter fare.
yours,
Sara
oh my, that is coming up very fast all of a sudden. What a shocker!
I think it would be easier for all concerned if the health stuff wasn't so draining right now. It is hard to concentrate on ..anything if you are feeling crappy or if you are worriesd about your daughter feeling crappy. I hope that gets resolved soon -at least to the diasnosis stage, so you can move on without being dragged down.
I am sad for Cait that she didn't get a decent part., That is very unfair. ((((hugs))) to both of you. I hope you can catch a break soon.
-Paula
www.onesickmother.com
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Gosh what a hard week for both of you!
{{{Renee}}}
Feel sorry for yourself for as long as you need to.
I know that my little guy is 6 1/2. Now, since he was born about a nanosecond ago, that must mean that he will be getting ready for high school in another nanosecond. Sigh.
There is one bright side. At least middle school will be over. Planning for my older guy in the middle school years really terrifies me. I think I might home school him, even though I will be working full time and -well- I am not really the home school type. I am more optimistic about high school. At least in high school, some of the older kids might think that quirkiness is cool. I feel like my son is more likely to find himself a niche in high school.
I am really sorry the teachers did not plan the history plays in a way that could leave Caiti feeling better about herself. And I am really sorry that it is popular to be teasing. But at least in high school, she might have a little more control over her schedule, and a bit more access to peers who arn't't as conforming as middle-schoolers.
-Sidney
((((HUGS))))
I'm sorry it's been a rough week! growing up is hard on parents and it's doubly hard on parents of special needs kiddos. Kuddos to Cait for wanting and even trying to try out for the soccer team.
I hope it gets better!
Betsy
((((hugs)))) Renee,
Transitions.