Not a Downs syndrome kid

I truly hate when I hear someone say, "he is a Downs Syndrome child".  First of all, it is Down Syndrome and most importantly, he is a child first and he just happens to have Down Syndrome.  People, especially educators really need to remember that they are dealing with a child.  A child with parents who love them and siblings who care for them.  When we look at a child as a syndrome, we forget they are a human being.  We forget to treat them as we would want our child treated.  We forget that they have their own special talents and traits.  That their family has much more to do with who they are than does a rearrangement of chromosomes or metabolic issues.  Yes, it is important to know about medical, behavioral and educational issues that are associated with specific syndromes, conditions and disabilities, but that is only a gross picture of a person, each is an individual and must be experienced as such and cherished as such.

End of the year

I am sorry I haven't posted lately.  When I am feeling stressed, I find I don't feel like writing.  Anyway it's almost the end of the school year.  Although I am glad to be getting a break, I am always afraid I won't get everything done.  I always do, but it always weirds me out. 

I will miss the kids, especially the ones who will be going on to a kindergarten program next year (all of my girls :( ).  And I will see all of them at least twice this summer to check on them when they are in the extended school year program.  I check to make sure that they get to the right classes and that the teachers know as much about them as I can throw at them. 

Chris and I had a great weekend.  It was my birthday on Friday and Chris made me an angel food cake and brought it and a balloon to school to celebrate my birthday with my class.  He also invited my daughter Krista and Jack which was lovely.  Then we went to Pittsburgh to visit Holly and Kane.  They showed us an example of the new apartment they will be getting in August, Ikea and then took us out to dinner at The Melting Pot, extremely good :)  We left the next morning after brunch and came home and enjoyed our pool.  The next morning Chris had a 5K in Brambleton.  I went over and picked up Jack and we went back so that he could bounce in the bounce house and watched his Pop Pop run.  Then he had his face painted like Spiderman (he did it very shyly).  After he went home and showed him Mommy and Daddy and promptly wanted it washed off, he said it itched :)

The Flight of our Hummingbird: This morning

 I read this blog Saturday afternoon.  I can't imagine how it must feel as a parent who has to go through this, although as a teacher it happened to me too many times, but I know it cannot be the same thing.  I may care, even love, but my heart doesn't hurt nearly as much as that parents' does.  I tell parents that this is what makes me a good teacher.  I don't have the Mommy/Daddy heart when it comes to their child, although I have had experienced it with my own children.  Because I am more emotionally detached, I can expect their children to do more, more often and more consistently.  I remember how awful it feels when you expect your own child to do something, and then you worry that you asking too much and what will it do to their feeling of self worth.  I remember feeling frustrated with them and then angry with myself.

I suppose children need to encounter people who love them in all sorts of different ways in order to grow up into healthy adults.
Lisa









The Flight of our Hummingbird: This morning

Grand Opening!

Today was the opening of our new playground at school.  Accessible to all students, encouraging inclusion and most importantly friendships.  I took my grandson, Jack and my husband played the part of "Mario" (unfortunately a very hot and sweaty job :).  There was also a "Hello Kitty" and an "Elmo", all big hits with the kids.  A music man, balloon animals and a choo choo train ride rounded out the activities along with the piece de resistance, playing on the amazing playground.

Special thank you's go out to a Mother with a vision.  I believe a good time was had by all :)

I have linked to a post to a blog called "Flight Platform Living".  In it a Mother blogs about her life, her family and about one of her daughters who has a genetic disability called Smith Magenis Syndrome.  Smith Magenis Syndrome is caused by a deletion on the 18th chromosome.  Some of the characteristics of SMS are;  issues with sleep, engaging personalities, varying degrees of intellectual delay, impulsivity, aggressiveness and attention seeking behavior.  They also often self injure, which is a very difficult thing for a parent to see.  I had a student in one of my classes with SMS and found him to be a very challenging child to teach, but yet couldn't help but love him.  I ended up taking him home with me one weekend, because his Mother had never had the chance to be away from him for 9 years.  Many people have never heard of SMS, even doctors I have spoken to have not often heard of it.  But if you read this blog, you will see what wonderful people they can be.

Flight Platform Living: Sometimes Life Hands You A Roller Coaster When All You Asked For Was A Carousel!

Flight Platform Living: Sometimes Life Hands You A Roller Coaster When All You Asked For Was A Carousel!

Playground!!!

Wow, we just had the most amazing accessible playground built at our school.  Colorful, safe, beautiful, fun and fully accessible to all of the children who attend our school.  It was the brainchild of a parent of one of my students and I know she spent many sleepless nights worrying over it, stressing about it and stepping outside of her comfort zone.

The end result is worth it.  And she did it, not just for her child, but for every child at that school and those who will come after.  I hope she realizes how much that says about her as a human being and a Mother.

I didn't get to take any pictures of it today.  I was too busy playing with my students on it :)  What a happy day!  But this is something I am happy about as well :)