Goodbyes

This Mama just finished making Easter themed thank you/goodbye cards for Bobby's early intervention therapists. I'm feeling sad yet excited at the prospect of saying goodbye to Bobby's therapists, but hello to preschool (early childhood special ed).

Flashback

Hard to believe this was our little guy 2 years ago!!!

Before Bed Seussian Storytime

Buddha Bobby

"Meditating" on a table at school :)

Why I hate looking for daycare for a supposedly medically complex child...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John Doe <jdoe@klcorp.com>
Date: Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 6:52 PM
Subject: KinderCare Learning Centers
To: "valerieandanne at gmail.com" 

Dear Valerie,

We know that selecting the right care and learning center for your child is a big decision. And, we understand that you want to be certain you have made the best choice for your child.

We assure parents that we care for your child like you would at KinderCare.

KinderCare Learning Centers provide a warm, safe and fun environment that helps your child develop socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually.

Our passionate teachers and innovative programs help your child discover that learning is fun, while making new friends and building strong relationships with teachers who partner with you in your child's development. Our partnership includes regular communication with you about everyday moments and major milestones.

In addition, we provide excellent value and convenient locations that – combined with our commitment to helping your child learn and grow – we hope makes choosing KinderCare an easy decision.

Please contact me to set up a tour today. I am available Monday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM (PST) to discuss any concerns or questions you might have.

Your Specialist,
John Doe
Customer Relationship Center
KinderCare Learning Centers/Knowledge Beginnings
1-888-KC-ENROL (888-523-6765) extension 2374
JDoe@klcorp.com
Knowledge Learning Corporation® “Where Lifetime Learning Begins”

---------- MY REPLY ----------
from: Valerie Grunsted <vlgrunsted at gmail.com>
to: John Doe <JDoe@klcorp.com>
date: Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 7:52 PM
subject: Re: KinderCare Learning Centers

Dear John,

I had a tour and your lovely facility on Elston and Irving turned my son down for the toddler room because he is a non-walker. The fact that this country has an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which
prevents discrimination against people like my son (who have Down Syndrome, which has resulted in a delay in his gross motor skills, like walking), apparently is of no concern to Tracey Ormond, the director of your facility. Unlike my son's current daycare, which sensibly decided to put him in a room with younger kids who were just learning to walk, your facility has decided that they do not need or do not want to make "reasonable accomodations" as mandated by the ADA.

It's small wonder that Kindercare has been sued in the past by parents of special needs kids.

We will definitely not be looking at your company for our childcare needs again, and will be happy to share our experience with our vast network of parent/friends in the Chicago area.

Valerie Grunsted

Daycare Shmaycare

This mama is nervous that Bobby's prospective daycare is starting to get cold feet. They don't want to commit to the idea of full-time daycare on days when CPS is closed, because of having to feed him via the gtube. We are either income ineligible for programs that would take him, or daycares are fearful because of the feeding tube, the Down Syndrome, the fact that he doesn't walk, etc. This is so frustrating!

Zzzzzzz

This mama is wondering what turns a soon to be 3 year old from a good sleeper to a gotta-stay-up-and-awake-in-my-crib-for-hours kinda guy? This is really starting to mess up my mama-in-bed-by-9pm kind of lifestyle...

School / Daycare

CPS agreed to our revised school placement request, and we have paperwork in progress for Bobby's prospective new daycare. Also had our (bittersweet) discharge meeting with B's early intervention therapists. All in all, a good day for Team Grunsted!

CPS, grrrrrr

Thank you Chicago Public Schools for disregarding our placement request!

World Down Syndrome Day

Today, 3/21, is World Down Syndrome Day. This day is chosen as Down Syndrome results from having 3 copies of the 21st chromosome in some or all of the cells of the body. Please join us in celebrating the beauty of our children and their amazing families in any way you can. Wear blue, have a picture handy, wear a Down syndrome shirt, or post a note on Monday! :)

Books Galore!

The two mamas just got Chicago Public Library cards for our family. In the process, Bubs scored 3 additional books on loan. Not sure who's more excited. :)

Daycare - maybe?

This mama met with a prospective in-home daycare whose owner used to do respite with Seguin Services, and is familiar/unafraid of feeding tubes. Yay! Here's hoping they are willing to do a 2 week trial for Bobby at their daycare, since once Bobby has a foot in the door, he's sure to steal their hearts! Please keep sending those positive thoughts and prayers Bobby's way that we will find the perfect daycare for our little guy!

IEP/Daycare Update

The IEP meeting went very well, no small thanks to Bobby's wonderful speech therapist and our good friends Belinda and Javier. Hopefully the placement office will recommend the school we have in mind. We should know soon, since Bobby turns three in short order.

On a separate note, we got rejected by the daycare we saw yesterday, because Bobby doesn't walk yet so they can't place him in the toddler room (um, hello, ADA? what about reasonable accomodations like putting him in a room with cruisers/early walkers???). Anyways, it's fine - we didn't like the place, and they would have only been a contingency option in the end.

So, the daycare search continues later today, at a playdate we have at Easter Seals' daycare center... unfortunately the earliest they'd have an opening would be Fall 2011, however, it may be well worth getting on the waiting list. We shall see.

Countdown

Countdown to Thursday's meeting with Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Our first IEP meeting. We have a school placement plan in mind, hopefully CPS will agree!

Sunday with my favorite little guy

Speech re-eval

Bobby's speech therapist did a re-assessment of his skills. And the verdict is in: Bobby has mastery of speech skills up to 18-21 months and emerging skills up to 27 months! Yay!

The Daycare (Ball)Game

Daycare strike #1: how 'severe' is the Down Syndrome?

Strike #2: will he be able to interact with the other children?

Don't need to wait for strike #3. Grrr....

Toys

In a roomful of toys, why is the sleepy mama jungle gym always the favorite? :)

Spread the Word to End the Word

Good morning! Please remember to Spread the Word to End the Word for me and my buddies!

How "retardation" went from a clinical description to a word of derision

The effects of the R-word on people with ID and their families and friends

When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity. Please help spread the word to end the R-word!

http://www.r-word.org/