This is going to be one of those posts where I have a lot in my head but don’t want to enter in 4 different posts, so this is what you get.
“You get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit.” Teachers everywhere. Haha.
Gage and Quinnlin are winding down at school. Gage is finishing his 1st year at middle school, which is, I don’t know…kind of amazing. When he was fighting the affects of ARPKD and those failing kidneys it seemed like 6th grade was a long time away. And it was somewhat because these have been the longest years of my life, but now that it’s here and we’re able to enjoy the fruits of his labor, it’s pretty exciting. He has excelled at this school. While I may have some personal issues with private school in general, we knew it was the right decision for him. It’s too bad he won’t have any college money available though. It was a good year for him. New beginnings and friends and a chance to join in where he otherwise would not. The kicker of the year was 1st place in the science fair. Exciting stuff.
Quinnlin is ending 4th grade and doing really well. She’ll tell you she isn’t doing well because she is never asked to be in the gifted program or on the principal’s list (straight As) and the differences issue is still a hot topic, she is entering the summer with a good circle of friends and a BFF she has plans for pool time with and a week long beach trip with a longtime great friend.
Can I just say standardized tests are evil? For kids like ours, who are smart, they don’t really show their smarts. It’s frustrating. While I know this going into each year, I still hate it.
I seem to be really emotional lately and tearing up about things like…science fair wins, 4th grade celebrations, puberty, Gage saying he likes me, and oh, more stuff. But you get the idea. Is this normal?
I am having a great time working with Build-A-Bear Workshop helping tell the story of families touched by special needs. We’re doing that by telling Quinnlin’s story with her bear, Champerina and we’re sending Champ around the world. He’s been to Canada, Slovenia and just landed somewhere for more fun. Please go check out Hana’s story of Champ’s visit and tell the fine bear keepers at Build-A-Bear Workshop thank you for supporting Support for Special Needs in this awesome way!
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For what it is worth, the years I was a counselor at special needs camp (severe multiple impairments, hearing impaired, vision impaired) I noticed that there were 2 ages girls were most likely to talk about feeling different. Right about where Quinn is and after freshman year of high school. It seemed that these were some kind of transition times. I also remember kids who had further physicial disabilities (CP, PKU, growth hormone deficiency come to mind) tended to be most aware of these things at this age and much more resistant to taking meds or treatments and even though our camp had a 30 minute med line some mornings those kids felt isolated needing the med line when maybe one child in the cabin didn’t. The beauty of 5th/6th/7th grade seemed to be that eventually nobody fits in. But just before that it apparently feels that EVERYONE ELSE does.
Jen