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Ground / Out Back
/ aksing for some pixiedust |
lesa
Cast Member
Posts: 61
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 12:54 PM
We recently enrolled DS back in the publc school system after several (much needed) years of homeschooling. So far he's been doing great. He's met some obstacles -- some expected and some not -- and has overcome them. In some cases he's triumphed over them!
Today he will encounter what is both a fantastic accomplisment, and a terrifying challenge all wrapped up into one. The school has a type of social club that arranges after-school actvivites throughout the year. Today there's one: an open gym/open swim at a local rec center. DS brought home the info and permission slip last friday totally enthused and wanting to participate.
As anyone with experience with autism can tell you, wanting to associate with others is a major obstacle. Ok, there's hurdle #1 cleared. A lot of our "school work" over the last few years has been in societal values, norms and skills. He has the knowledge to handle this activity. Hurdle #2 cleared. In small setting and controlled groups he is able to utilize his social skills and do amazingly well (often better than "normal" kids). Hurdle #3 cleared.
So today its time for hurdle #4. Doing all this in an unstructured large group setting. I'm going to be there as a parent chaperone, so he's got support and back-up if he needs it. I would appreciate any pixiedust you can spread our way, however. I think its more for me than for him, but spread it anyway.
Thanks
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Ahnalira
Cast Member
Posts: 432
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 12:58 PM
Here it comes... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
for both of you!
Ahnalira
Grace finds beauty everywhere. Grace is my best friend.
Meet The Our Laughing Place Travel Pixies
Everybody's got a Laughing Place... we'll help you find yours!
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fantayzya
Cast Member
Posts: 586
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 01:01 PM
lesa,
It will work out, I believe it, you should too. (and I don't have any background other than a really good feeling about it from your post to base that on)
I see a thrilling, triumphant, fun filled, just like any other kid kind of event for you ahead.
Oh and bring an umbrella cuz I also see a major dust storm
Hugs!
"One small drop of water raises the sea" Marian in Dinotopia
"One who grows does not grow old"-Texas Bix Bender, writer
"Look Mommy," he whispered. "The butterflies are dancing!" At that moment, inside my soul somewhere, all the tumblers fell into place."-Kathy Storfer, "A Dig in the Dirt," Green Prints Spring 1997
Visit WDW with my son Nate and I at Fantayzya and Nate See the World
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Francine
Super Moderator
Posts: 1309
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 01:08 PM
It would appear he has done quite well. So, today he will continue on that path.
I will keep him, and you, in my prayers today.
Francine
Come and visit my other home on the internet Our Laughing Place
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Ajax
Cast Member
Posts: 1032
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 01:29 PM
Go get 'em, lesa's son! Good luck & Godbless.
Did you see me at EPCOT on New Years Eve? I was wearing a yellow poncho...
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Robin
Cast Member
Posts: 940
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 01:38 PM
Sending some
Pixie Dust as requested.
I'm glad you'll be there both as support for him, and so you can share this big step with him.
I presume it's a 'participate in what you want' kind of thing? If so then it sounds like he can join in, watch whatever he feels comfortable with, at his own pace.
Often the scariest part of trying something new is not knowing what to expect. It sounds like his just going to this is a big step.
So you guys going to celebrate this milestone after the event?
I toss my cookies for Disney.
I wonder what inspired this new Disney T-shirt? "I'm right. You're wrong. Any Questions?"
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Robey
Cast Member
Posts: 1023
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 02:18 PM
God bless and Pixie Dust!
![]()
[Edited by Robey]
I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody. --Lily Tomlin
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Coastalwader
Cast Member
Posts: 935
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 03:15 PM
Hoping all goes VERY well!
King Unca Bubba Lord DisneyTex
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Crank
Administrator
Posts: 1957
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 04:36 PM
Hang in there lesa, it's on its way.
I like persons better than principles, and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world.
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
BOYCOTT FRENCH TOAST, GERMAN SAUSAGE AND BELGIAN CHOCOLATES
Crank-->
All Content is © the Poster and is to be considered Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. Though Brilliant, Breathtaking and Extrememly Well Written the Content contained herein is Opinion and Opinion only.
ib4cruzn at charter dot net
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TrpltJanie
Cast Member
Posts: 1661
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 06:57 PM
Pixie dust and
prayers on its way, Lesa! Please keep us posted so
we can cheer for your and your son!
Janie
The Curb Kicker
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lesa
Cast Member
Posts: 61
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-07-03 07:27 PM
We got back a little bit ago. It was great. There were 4 teachers and 2 parents as chaperones. The pool, the gym and the game room were open, so that meant 2 adults in each area. I volunteered for the pool.
DS started in the pool. He spent a few minutes going down the water slide. Then he played some water basketball for about 30, then a few more times down the slide. Then he played around with some kids in the kiddie area splahing in the fountains. At that point he told me he was going to go and change and hang out in the gym and the game room. I told him to go and have fun and that he knew where I was if he wanted me. Didn't see him again for another hour unitl it was time to go. He was exhausted, and beaming.
I was really impressed this aft, not only with him, but with all the kids. There were 6th, 7th, and 8th grade kids all interacting with one another. There were guys and girls interacting (and in a purely platonic way). The obviously special ed kids were welcomed into all the activites. At no time was there any teasing or harassment or kids being shut out. When one of the kids had a question for me or another chaperone, they were kind and respectful. The teacherrs treated the kids like human beings and joked and talked with them.
I think you can all stop the pixiedusting now. I'm just overflowing with euphoria.
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Coastalwader
Cast Member
Posts: 935
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-08-03 12:06 AM
quote:
lesa wrote:
I think you can all stop the pixiedusting now. I'm just overflowing with euphoria.
That's good to hear. You know, inclusion does have it's good points.
King Unca Bubba Lord DisneyTex
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TrpltJanie
Cast Member
Posts: 1661
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-08-03 11:30 AM
quote:
lesa wrote:
I think you can all stop the pixiedusting now. I'm just overflowing with euphoria.
Everybody! Let's cheer for Lesa! "Lesa! Lesa! Lesa! Lesa! Lesa!" I don't think we're gonna stop pixiedusting you or keep you and your family in our prayers because WE want to be with you EVERY step of the way so YOU gotta keep us posted!
Lesa! Lesa!
Janie
The Curb Kicker
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Robin
Cast Member
Posts: 940
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-08-03 05:11 PM
quote:
lesa wrote:
We got back a little bit ago. It was great. There were 4 teachers and 2 parents as chaperones. The pool, the gym and the game room were open, so that meant 2 adults in each area. I volunteered for the pool.
DS started in the pool. He spent a few minutes going down the water slide. Then he played some water basketball for about 30, then a few more times down the slide. Then he played around with some kids in the kiddie area splahing in the fountains. At that point he told me he was going to go and change and hang out in the gym and the game room. I told him to go and have fun and that he knew where I was if he wanted me. Didn't see him again for another hour unitl it was time to go. He was exhausted, and beaming.
I was really impressed this aft, not only with him, but with all the kids. There were 6th, 7th, and 8th grade kids all interacting with one another. There were guys and girls interacting (and in a purely platonic way). The obviously special ed kids were welcomed into all the activites. At no time was there any teasing or harassment or kids being shut out. When one of the kids had a question for me or another chaperone, they were kind and respectful. The teacherrs treated the kids like human beings and joked and talked with them.
I think you can all stop the pixiedusting now. I'm just overflowing with euphoria.
Gee and we just send another contingency down to WDW
get more pixie dust to toss around.
I'm so glad everything went well, and that this was
a positive experience for both you and your son. 
I toss my cookies for Disney.
I wonder what inspired this new Disney T-shirt? "I'm right. You're wrong. Any Questions?"
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fantayzya
Cast Member
Posts: 586
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-08-03 06:07 PM
YEEEE HAAA!!!
"One small drop of water raises the sea" Marian in Dinotopia
"One who grows does not grow old"-Texas Bix Bender, writer
"Look Mommy," he whispered. "The butterflies are dancing!" At that moment, inside my soul somewhere, all the tumblers fell into place."-Kathy Storfer, "A Dig in the Dirt," Green Prints Spring 1997
Visit WDW with my son Nate and I at Fantayzya and Nate See the World
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Ajax
Cast Member
Posts: 1032
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 02-08-03 06:11 PM
Cool! I love
it when a plan comes together!
Did you see me at EPCOT on New Years Eve? I was wearing a yellow poncho...
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anna
Cast Member
Posts: 36
Registered: Jan 2003
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Posted 02-08-03 10:02 PM
Hooray
I just love it when hurdles are cleared!
anna
anna-who's usually surfing from the land of lurk.
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Common
Ground / Out Back
/ aksing for some pixiedust |
