Jack’s Transitional IEP

Posted by B on February 22, 2013 in Ramblings | 1 comment

I entered a room with 4 other women. Only two of them knew ANYTHING about Jack. We discussed his progress a little, very little. We discussed mainstreaming ALOT. Jack will start going into a kindergarten classroom in April. I hope that one day he will be in a regular classroom all the time. Right now, we just don’t know. The four ladies in the room were clearly not in the hopeful sharing business. IEPs are hard. I don’t care how much progress a child makes by design they highlight the flaws. I don’t like it.

The three girls were awesome while we waited. Homework was quietly completed. Snacks were divided. They didn’t interrupt. I wonder what goes through their heads as they listen to me. Does it sound like I’m fighting for Jack? Am I winning or losing? I know Arleigh gets aggravated by some of the tones that are used. In the end, I generally feel like we’ve gimpped our way to a win in the battle but I’m not sure how the war is fairing. Is gimpped a word?

This is what I would like to say to teachers… I am not a student. I am with Jack many more hours than you are. I understand the educational system and that you are working for an individualized plan for him. I understand that we both want what is in Jack’s best interest. Please don’t talk to me like I am a student or worse, like I couldn’t possibly understand what your position is. I am at least your equal. I’ll stop there. I’m probably the mother that my mother hated when she was teaching. I hope right now that she didn’t look down her nose at a parent like I was being looked down at yesterday. Did you Mom? Oh my word! I just realized… am I paying for my mother’s sin? Mom?…Mom?

Jack also had his second round in his shot treatments this morning. Bless his little baby heart. I asked if I could just hold him this time. I told him what would happen. He just laid there grimacing. As the needle came out, he turned his head toward me and said and proud as punch but with a shaky little voice, “I did it, Mama!” I love that kid. He may drive me to the looney bin and back but I love him. He has grown a bit…IN A MONTH. During the IEP, the two people in the room besides me also said that they thought they saw a noticeable difference after the first shot. It wasn’t just me! Yeah!!! We were a week off after a trip to the states. I rescheduled. I’m not realizing that rescheduling will interfere with a Boot Camp I signed up for. See, proof I’ve lost my mind… I’ll be calling back this afternoon… or maybe Ray can take him. Maybe it was part of my diabolical plan… one more thing to figure out.

Thank you for the prayers. We appreciate each one. Feel free to pray us through the next two treatments!