Early Sunday morning at work waiting for the doctors to come in to give me some work to do. I’ve said for years that I should just sleep in on Sundays and they can call me ehtn the doctors decide to start working. BUT NO!! I’m here bright and early waiting and waiting and waiting.
This morning I could be sitting with the RNs chatting away, but ugh, I don’t care for their conversation, so instead I’m at my own lil work station typing away. Not too sure what I plan to write. Guess whatever comes out…is whatcha get!
One more day of summer break. 
I just can not believe how fast this summer went. Sad that we never went camping. Sad that I never got my bike fixed. Sad that we didn’t make it to the pool as much as we have in past years. PooWee really took to the water this year too. Although the weather was not very “summery” either.
Andrew will be starting his freshman year of college on Tuesday. I’m in shock! I officially have an adult child! I am so proud of him. And well maybe a little bit proud of myself as well. I did good. Having him at 17, raising him primarily on my own, though his father was always a part of his life we were not together. He’s going to do well in this world. I just know it!
His focus is still engineering. Though he is considering checking out some Psychology courses. I’ve always told him he would make a good social worker or councellor. He’s the “goto friend” when there’s a disagreement amongst his friends, when a friend is dumped by their girl/boyfriend, or when a friend finds out they are expecting a baby. He’s the mediator in his clan and good at it.
Whatever he chooses in life, I have no doubt he will excell and make me even more proud of him.
Elijah is a big 5th grader this year. He’s part of the big wigs this year at his school. Last year in Elemantary school. (Yes, I’m already freaking out about him going to Jr. High next year! But, that’ll be a whole nother post.)
We had his open house last week, dropped off his supplies and chatted with his teacher, Mrs. H.
We already know his desk will need to be moved to a darker location in the room. He’s a bit upset as it was right next to his friend. He’s hoping his friend will move too. 
He wants to be a crossing guard. It’s just the “cool” thing you get to do in 5th grade. I’ve been telling him that I doubt he will beable to. The last assessment done two years ago said he can see a moving car from approximately a block away. Not too good when your crossing kids across the street. Mrs. H said they would find an alternative job for him to do. Perhaps he can “man” the playground at recess. She mentioned he could be the “Good Citizen watcher” and award those kids doing well. He was very happy to hear he could still join the crossing gauard crew.
In a letter Mrs. H sent home for parents stated the years expectations. She stated that as a guideline there should be 10 minutes of homework for each grade level. Leaving Eli to expect 50 minutes of homework a night. HHMMM…he sat for HOURS sometimes last year. Yes, his work takes him longer than the “normal” sighted child. I’m already planning on talking to her about what we should expect from him.
I know I’m not going to make him read lengthy readings anymore. I have come to the conclusion that it is just too hard and stressful on him. I am well aware that his teachers are concerned about him falling behind with reading. But as I look at it…there will be a point when he falls behind and can’t read to grade level. HE’S BLIND PEOPLE!!!! Lets start focusing more on the alternatives to reading that are out there for him. I will INSIST that his (chapter) books are on tape. I will not put him through an hour of straining his eyes, and ending up with a headache because he had to read 15 pages in a small font book! First of all, where’s his large print that should have been provided for him?
I’m increasing my expectations of the school this year. Not necessarily the teaching or the teachers themselves, but the services/equipment that will provided for him. I’m not excepting the excuse, “well this is all we have to offer.” Nope!
We are still in the CCTV battle with my insurance company. Actually, things are just getting started. My case was put on hold for awhile as other cases were finishing up.
I am aware that the organization that is helping me is also planning going after the school as well to provide newer and better technology for Eli. Yes I am excited for Eli, but for the whole visually impaired program as it will help all. Eli’s CCTV at school is a great asset to him, it’s old though. It’s not even in color. Try coloring a map in black and white, but you are using colored pencils. Yes he’s colorblind as well, but that doesn’t mean he can’t see color.
It’ll be interesting to see what comes about. I never wanted to be too aggessive with the school system. But it’s looking like that’s the only way things will improve.
At the conference we attended earlier this summer we learnt that kindergarteners are using newer technology than he is. They are learning how to use this technology and how it benefits them. I want that for Eli. Iwant him to know whats out there and how these items can help him.
Again, I could go on FOREVER about the E-man. There truly is just always something going on with him. Raising a special needs child is so much different than raising an “average” child. (Sorry for the lack of wording there!) There is so many different issues that arise, different needs physically and emotionally. And then spreading yourself among all your children equally is so hard. I’m surviving though and will fight for all my kids…no matter their needs.
Raising Eli has given me so much more respect for my mother. I have a mental challeged brother. He has been living on his own now for over 15 years, but he was about 30 before he was able to. She still needs to watch over him and give him rides. Along withhim she raise 5 other children. And at times she was a single parent as well. My mom deserves the world!
THE POOMAN!!!!! Oh what a joy he is! I’m planning on starting our own lil school sessions with him this year. Just a little bit each day, we’ll sit down and have school. It’ll be fun! He can connect with Eli and tell Eli all about what he did in school each day.
He started speech therapy twice a month this summer. He LOVES it! His therapist comes to the house carring her bag full of fun toys. He cries everytime she leaves. He’s good at making you feel guilty for leaving him.
He actually didn’t qualify for therapy (again). Do to him being “too smart” for his age STILL. But, they got him in as they didn’t want him to fall farther behind in language.
He talks up a storm, nonstop, but the pronounciation just doesn’t come out. I’m sad to say he has inherited mine and my father’s speech problem. I was in speech therapy until 4th grade. I would (want) to say “car”, but it came out “cow”. How sad it was! And all the teasing I endured in my early school years breaks my heart. I am praying we are able to help PooWee enough before he enters school so he can escape the teasing and harrassment.
He is so cute though. Eli is determined to get PooWee to say “Elijah” good.
Elijah to PooWee – Say EEEEEEE
PooWee- EEEE
Elijah – Say LLLLL (long) IIIIII
PooWee- LLLIIIII
Elijah-JA(short a sound)
PooWee-JA
Elijah-say EEE LLLLIII JA!
PooWee-AAAHHHWWWWAAAA!!!
He loves his Ah-Wa! He actually sings AH-WA, AH-WA, AH-WA to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! Sneaking a “Momma in there now and then. It’s so cute!
His favorite toy(s) right now are puzzles. HE LOVES THEM. No more wooden puzzles for him though. He is mastering 24 piece puzzles and actually does fairly well on his own with a 60 piece one as well.
I”m raising a future computer geek! He is addicted to the computer and will fight with all his might to be on it whenever and for as long as he wants. Oh yes, we are learning who is in charge…and he’s not winning.
Since Andrew has moved out he has grown a little of an attitude towards him. He adores seeing him come to visit. Runs up to him gives him a big hug and plays with him. BUT, when Andrew leaves he refuses to give him ahug and kiss bye-bye. He’s even swung his arms to stop Andrew from getting one. Yet he loves watching Andrew leave on his motorcycle. We walk to the end of the driveway and watch him until he’s out of sight.
Andrew is so cute too. He’ll text me to let me know that he is on his way over and to make sure PooWee is there and awake. He misses his baby brother!
Well, time to actually work. Doctors have arrived!
