[tri-med] Re: My first school question

In a message dated 2/24/03 11:29:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
jwaite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:


> <<Gee Kristin, I bet you're surprised that I'm responding to this! rofl>>

ROFL

<<See what they do. Don't
give "them" ammunition to put a glass ceiling over our son. Yet know that if
and when the trisomy dx would benefit Alex we could do it then>>

This is good advice.  I don't want to give anyone the opportunity to 
prematurely judge her.

<<In a perfect world we wouldn't have to worry about things like bigotry and
stupidity or fear. But we do.>>

This is my worst fear for her.  Once I knew she was physically okay I have 
been obsessing on this point.  When I was pregnant with her, I used to have 
dreams about Hannah running and trying to catch up to her cousins and 
siblings, yelling, "wait for me!"  I used to upset me so much and I think 
there is definitely some symbolism there.

<<In my heart I
believe that if the trisomy dx was known Alex would not have the LD
(learning disabled) label but have the EMI (educably mentally impaired)
label.>>

I don't want her labeled if she doesn't need to be.  I want to see how far 
she will go without assistance and then let the schools do the testing and 
make the call.  

<<And there are parents who feel that by "denying" the trisomy we're not
educating/furthering the cause of trisomy acceptance out in the world.
Bottom line, our child comes first.>>

When appropriate, I speak out as much as I can about her trisomy and all of 
the other  trisomy kids doing so well, but you're right...I don't want her 
being treated differently.

<<".  It
wasn't that many years ago there was no mainstreaming and special ed
students were segregated in different buildings. Esp when you look at
1987...not that long ago at all from when Alex was born.>>

When I was in school (finished 6th grade in 1984) I remember the sp ed 
classes and also remember how unbelievably cruel kids treated them.  That's 
all that went through my mind when hannah was little.  I couldn't bear that.

<<My suggestion though (since you asked) is DON'T tell them right now. Place
her into preschool and see how it goes. >>

Thanks for the advice.  That's what we are going to do.  I am not telling 
until I have to, if I have to.  






Kristin - wife to Bryan, mom to 2 year old Hannah - t13 mosaic w/ 
Robertsonian translocation, and Brennan Joseph - 9 months old, in Baltimore, 
Maryland, USA
Come and see us at:  http://hannahclare.homestead.com/


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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