Have I ever told you that…
I truly dislike IEP meetings?
Have I ever told you how hard it is to listen to the negative aspects of your handicapped child when you try to live your life for the positive?
Have I ever told you how hard it is to sit at a large table with others and listen to words spoken about your child like…
delayed….at-risk…mentally disabled…slowly progressing…significantly lower… unable to communicate?
Tomorrow is the day. It has felt like a black cloud looming for a few weeks. I have been through IEP’s before and I will sit through lots more…but I don’t like them. AnnaKate has a great school with wonderful teachers and therapists that love her, but the clinical nature of the meeting always overwhelms me. The focusing on what AnnaKate can’t do and how far behind she is makes me sad. The other 364 days of the year we live in a world of what AnnaKate can do. We celebrate the smallest accomplishment and the everyday successes. You know…the ones that don’t show up on a test.
But….I will go and I will be strong because this little girl is the light of our lives and we will do anything for her!
Billy and I married in 1998 after dating for 6 years. In 2006 we adopted AnnaKate. We were lucky enough to meet her birth mother and take her home from the hospital. At about 4 months old, AnnaKate was diagnosed with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome. Through all of AnnaKate's struggles and delays she surprises and delights us daily! Thanks for marking this spot and coming back often to check in on us.
12 comments:
You have told me, but I still hate that you have to do it. What a downer!
That little pumpkin is PERFECT and WONDERFUL. I am so proud of you ALL and how much you all have accomplished! I will celebrate every LARGE and SMALL victory with you just anytime. xxoo- Cat
Keep celebrating the accomplishments and know that she would not be where she is today without you and Billy--Mom
Maybe start the meeting out with a list of AK's accomplishments in the past year? Relate a few of the many cute things she's done, or ways that she's shown love and affection? I pray that it is an encouraging IEP and that she gets the services she needs. She couldn't have better parents!
AK is an amazing little girl and I'm so very thankful that God chose you and Billy to be her parents and to help her become the precious little girl that she is! Thinking of you tomorrow!
Kelly, I am so thankful for the wonderful parents that God is molding you and Billy to be...it is so very clear that He handpicked you to be AK's parents. She needs you both as her advocates...I trust that you will make sure that the meeting not only focuses on the areas of delay but also on the tremendous areas of growth and progress. Although I know it is different...I can so identify with you...Steve and I have similar experiences every year as we evaluate the academic progress of our girls...each time we leave the meeting, we try to leave the clinical evaluations in the room and keep our eyes on the awesome daughters that God has give to us..."truly perfect in every way." Know that tomorrow as you enter your meeting that you are uplifted by so many who know and realize the many accomplishments!
I love you friend.
I'll be thinking of you and your amazing AK today!
I hope it was not as bad as you thought it would be! She is doing SUPER well! She may be a bit delayed, but every bit of progress she has made is possible because of a mommy and daddy that love her more than anything! Give yourselves a pat on the back!
You just keep staying positive! I absolutely love that you are always thinking positively, and it rubs off on others. It rubs off on me!! Give that sweet AK a hug for me. I love the picture of her. I hope that goes into a frame!
Cassie
To me AK is perfect 365 days a year and has made amazing strides which I know she gets from you and Billy. You guys have made all the difference in the world for AK and in doing that AK has made all the difference in the world to me.
No matter what the words used at the IEP meeting those of us around AK know the words that should be used. SHE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!
Guess Who??
I haven't had the "joy" of IEP yet, as they don't really do them here in South Africa. But from what I have read it makes me sad that the focus seems to be only on what our kiddies can't do - not a very holistic picture of the child. I really like Cindy's advice about you listing Anna's strengths and accomplishments. If you don't get to do so in the meeting, come home and make a list of them. Post this list on the blog and we will celebrate them WITH you! I have loved your blog, checking in on how AK has grown! She is blossoming and she will continue to do so.
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