GG is still having trouble with her back. The first epidural failed and the second did help and she is in a lot less pain, but it still didn't work 100%. She still has pain and it is hard for her to do a lot of things. She is debating whether to go into assisted living or hire in help. Mom and I have been helping her as much as we can but she doesn't want to be dependent on me because if one of the kids is sick or I have to get a job she doesn't want me to be put in that position of deciding what to do about her. She goes to the doctor again on Monday so we will see what he says and make decisions after that. It is hard on all of us seeing her suddenly go downhill but especially for the kids. They thought she would live forever and now they got a big dose of reality that she is human and almost 97. They are taking it kind of hard. Since she can't get out here to have her hair done easily any more, Mom has been going to the apartment and I take the kids every few weeks so they can still see her and know we aren't lying to them about her. For a while they thought we were and she was gone because they hadn't seen her. I didn't say much about her to them because I didn't want them to worry and she wasn't up for much company when she was at her worst. Once they saw her they felt much better though. Please pray for GG that they find something to make her comfortable so she is not in pain her remaining years.
On a different subject, the school has finally acknowledged that Brandon does have a learning disability. They can't tell me an exact term, like dyslexia, just that it is an cognitive learning disorder. He has major focus issues, as in he doesn't focus much at all. His listening skills are pretty good, which is his saving factor. They are going to keep him in small groups a few hours a week to assist him and next year he will have someone take notes for him because he can't copy from the board. He is unable to do several things at once and can only follow one step at a time. They say that with work he will eventually work around it and learn to cope and hopefully some of these skills will start to kick in better with time. They were doing a focus study but I haven't gotten the results back yet to see if he might need medication or what we can do to help with the focus. He doesn't have ADHD because he doesn't have the hyperactivity but just the focus issues. It is frusturating because there is nothing I can do to make it better for him except help him through his homework and extra help on the weekends. They are doing an AR field trip for the kids who met their AR goal all four quarters, which of course he didn't since he has difficulty reading. He already missed out on a McDonald's lunch in the classroom last quarter. Only he and two others were left out. I don't know how many won't be going on the field trip. Does that seem fair to single out the kids that didn't make it? I realize that the kids should be rewarded for their efforts but not so pubicly. It is like rubbing it in the faces of the kids who didn't. Some of it is his fault because he keeps getting books that are almost, or are, out of his reading level but they won't help him pick out the books and they are color coded, but with different shades, and I don't think he really pays attention to shades, all he sees is green, yellow, etc.
School is almost out for the year so that will be another blog or maybe several. The last week of school, which is the week of the 21st, we have Jessie and Brandon's field trips, Jessie's kindergarten graduation, Field day and the last day of school assemblies. It will be a busy week.
3 comments:
Jenn, how is GG doing now? I am so glad you and your mom are there for her. I hope that she is able to feel relief from her pain and comes to a decision regarding her care that she, and all of you, feel comfortable with. How nice it is that your kids have been able to know their GG so well because their memories of the good times will stay with them their whole lives. And how nice for Grandma to have children in her life to bring her joy in her golden years!
This is 2 comments because my computer keyboard is sensitive and I keep erasing what I type. :p
Regarding Brandon, just keep being persistent with testing and accommodations. Does he have a 504 yet? http://specialchildren.about.com/od/504s/f/504faq1.htm This article is a good definition and also links to each state's implementation of a 504. Basically your child has the right to be accommodated for his needs at school, whether that be more time for a test, using a tape recorder in class, typing on a keyboard instead of writing, or whatever.
There will always be more children with more red flags than yours, so you have to fight to make yours a priority. This is coming from a mom who wishes she had fought harder for one her kids....I regret that I let the teachers talk me out of getting Tyce a 504 when he was in elementary school. He could really use more time for tests and this has hurt him his entire high school life.
Other than that, keep doing what you're doing--building him up, helping him get where he needs to go, and making him feel like an awesome kid!
Thanks Rebecca I appreciate the advice. I am not sure he has a 504 but they are looking into getting him help with extra time and note taking.
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