I am so thankful that we decided to return to Heritage Christian School. Even though it's summer time, I feel like I'm being listened to. I received the initial 2 levels for the Susan Barton Spelling and Reading Program. I just finished the tutor training. But, before we begin this, I have a few tests for Diane to do online. The school sent me links and passwords for some standardization tests so we can get a clearer picture of Diane's particular strengths and struggles.
I am being heard, I am being supported and my family is being cared about. There is help out there, sometimes you just have to be like a 'dog with a bone' to get it. I know that many people in todays world talk about how bad it can be to 'label' someone. But we all have labels, they are simply words to describe who we are. Mother, tall, young, old, patient, strict, compassionate, caring, nurse, fast-talker, smart... Obviously the list can go on forever, when we hear lables like Autistic, ADD, Dyslexic it conjures up different ideas for different people. But for the parents of those children it gives us a direction to go in. It's like suddenly we have a roadmap of our child. There are still a lot options and decisions, but there is a narrower focus than before. Knowing something is 'different' or 'wrong' doesn't help in any way. Having that label gives us the ability to say 'THIS is what it is!'
Someone not on this journey doesn't necessarily understand the necessity of the 'label'. Using the word 'Dyslexic' is much faster that, 'well...she has difficulty with phenomes, has a high compresension level, but nerologically her brain cannot recognize the symbols commonly known as the English alphabet to turn those symbols into words she can read. Because she see's everything so much finer than the rest of us, everything is a picture to her highly imaginative brain and therefore trying to create a picture of the symbols 'i t' becomes extremely stressful and difficult. At this point the words seem to float off the page as she retreats to her imagination world, also known as 'spacing out' or 'not focusing'...' No, I prefer to say 'she's Dyslexic'. If you know what that is then you instantly understand, if you don't than you can ask me what that really is, but please don't tell me not to use a label.
I don't mean to come accross in every blog entry as complaining or negative. I just hear from others with similar struggles about the frustration with the lack of understanding or knowledge in the people around them. So it tends to come out when I write. Maybe I should write more often and I won't have quite so much to say all at once.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
First Time Doin' the Grind
My wonderful daughter is away at camp this week. A couple weeks ago I decided that I wanted to do something completely out of my comfort zone, something beyond what I think I can do. So what is the opposite of sleeping in and watching movies? Well climbing a mountain of course!
Trail Facts of the Grouse Grind
Length: 2.9 kilometres (1.8 miles)
Elevation Gain: 853 metres (2,800 feet)
Total Stairs: 2,830
Elevation Gain: 853 metres (2,800 feet)
Total Stairs: 2,830
Before I could talk myself out of this crazy notion, I texted my friend of 20 years. A dear friend who has seen me at my worst and my best. I knew I'd need someone who wouldn't judge me if I vomit on the climb or start to cry. Her response was 'When did you start doing drugs?'. But of course she was a willing participant in this crazy venture. The average hiker completes the Grind in 1.5-2 hours. But we are not the average climbers, we are overweight, 38-41 year old sedentary women so we gave ourselves 4 hours to complete
I knew this would push me to my limits. I knew it would be hard. But I knew I had to try this.
This morning we arrived at the base of the mountain, thankfully clouds covered most of it so we couldn't see the entire foreboding height. After a short stretching period, we began the ascent. As I took the first step up I actually tripped and almost twisted my ankle. We should have turned around then, but alas, we persevered. It is a long hike up with innumerable stairs (ok theres 2830, but it feels like 20830). There are portions where we were literally using our hands to help us haul our carcasses up the mountain. By the time we reached the 1/4 mark we were already committed and there's no turning back. We encountered a fairly fit woman vomiting off to the side. I felt the same myself at a couple points. We took a lot of small breaks and a couple longer ones to fully catch our breath.
Aside from labour this is absolutely the most difficult thing I've ever done. There is no quitting, you just have to keep climbing. Every time I'd think we couldn't have that much farther to go, I'd look up and just see stairs and people and more trees. When we finally reached the top, it was surreal. I couldn't believe we'd actually made it. I climbed a mountain. I did it! I may or may not ever do it again, but today, I DID IT!
Our total time was 3hr 32min.
Our total time was 3hr 32min.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Old leather jacket, New purse
With my sisters in a spending freeze, our whole family decided to do a RRR Christmas. We've all been thinking about what we can re-gift, re-purpose, or repair for presents this year. It's neat having a 'gift' box at home that we put unwanted items. Then sometime in November we will 'shop' there and hopefully come up with something for everyone.
This brings me to my current triumph. I came across a hideous 80's red leather jacket recently. The leather was so supple and the lining out of crimson satin. I just couldn't throw it in the trash. So on a whim I decided to re-purpose it into a purse. After spending a couple days just thinking about the design, I created a pattern and then went to work.
I really hope all the women in my family don't expect one for Christmas :-)
This brings me to my current triumph. I came across a hideous 80's red leather jacket recently. The leather was so supple and the lining out of crimson satin. I just couldn't throw it in the trash. So on a whim I decided to re-purpose it into a purse. After spending a couple days just thinking about the design, I created a pattern and then went to work.
Upon completion it looked a little too drab for my tastes so I added an old necklace for the finishing touch.
I really hope all the women in my family don't expect one for Christmas :-)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
First results
The test results are in, these set of tests were to determine 'IF' there is a learning difficulty (difference, disability). This would be hoop #1. We already know that there is a difficulty, and most likely what it is, but you don't get answers or help by knowing anything. I am not surprised by what the results told us, but I am surprised by the actual numbers. I am even more surprised by the next few steps of 'action' that the school board plans to take. The first two tests determine what Diane is capable of, how she would test if there were no neurological blockages.
PPVT is a designed to test her overall literacy, she scored in the 90 percentile for vocabulary
RAVENS is designed to test her mathematical ability, she scored in the 58th percentile for comprehension
The last test is one that assesses what she is actually able to do. When there is a large gap in these percentages, then it becomes obvious that there is a learning difficulty.
KTEA II tests her actual ability, what is is currently able to do:
Reading: 10th percentile
Writing: 2nd percentile
Math: 6th percentile
Now that we know what she is capable of and what she is able to do, the school will arrange a meeting of a select group of people. I don't mean to sound cryptic, but that's pretty much all I got from the Resource Teacher. Sounds like some people from the school board and teachers.
The next step is to come up with an Individualized Learning Plan (IEP). Basically what this is a document that allows Diane to do half the work and get the same grade as students who do all the work. As much as this seems like a solution, it is not. This may get her through grade 12 and maybe a little college, but that's where this stops. Would you want your Pharmacist to only have completed 1/2 the work expected of them? How about your nurse in the ER? Police officer? I don't think I need to go on. As you look at the career options of someone who cannot study and learn, it becomes obvious that we could be severely limiting her. Now if this program works after a time (again, no real answers) maybe a few months to a couple years, than the board calls this a success and makes no changes. Only if this program fails will they consider setting us up with the school board NeuroPsycologist. And by the way, there is a lengthy wait!
If Diane still cannot learn with this plan than we move to the Modified Learning Plan. This then takes her completely off the normal learning channels and still allows her to graduate. She will have learned even less than on the previous system and will still not have learned how to read and comprehend what she is reading at any sort of acceptable level. But 'yippie ding!' the BC school board has one more graduate to add to their ever increasing list of young adults who cannot learn.
I still cannot believe that this is the regular accepted practice in BC.
I look forward to finishing up the tumultuous school year. We will have fun this summer. We plan to do a lot of simple outings, nature walks and lazy days at the beach. Then in September we will start grade 3 1/2. The plan is to dedicate a lot of our energy to the Susan Barton program while we do a mix of grade 3 and grade 4 curriculum.
PPVT is a designed to test her overall literacy, she scored in the 90 percentile for vocabulary
RAVENS is designed to test her mathematical ability, she scored in the 58th percentile for comprehension
The last test is one that assesses what she is actually able to do. When there is a large gap in these percentages, then it becomes obvious that there is a learning difficulty.
KTEA II tests her actual ability, what is is currently able to do:
Reading: 10th percentile
Writing: 2nd percentile
Math: 6th percentile
Now that we know what she is capable of and what she is able to do, the school will arrange a meeting of a select group of people. I don't mean to sound cryptic, but that's pretty much all I got from the Resource Teacher. Sounds like some people from the school board and teachers.
The next step is to come up with an Individualized Learning Plan (IEP). Basically what this is a document that allows Diane to do half the work and get the same grade as students who do all the work. As much as this seems like a solution, it is not. This may get her through grade 12 and maybe a little college, but that's where this stops. Would you want your Pharmacist to only have completed 1/2 the work expected of them? How about your nurse in the ER? Police officer? I don't think I need to go on. As you look at the career options of someone who cannot study and learn, it becomes obvious that we could be severely limiting her. Now if this program works after a time (again, no real answers) maybe a few months to a couple years, than the board calls this a success and makes no changes. Only if this program fails will they consider setting us up with the school board NeuroPsycologist. And by the way, there is a lengthy wait!
If Diane still cannot learn with this plan than we move to the Modified Learning Plan. This then takes her completely off the normal learning channels and still allows her to graduate. She will have learned even less than on the previous system and will still not have learned how to read and comprehend what she is reading at any sort of acceptable level. But 'yippie ding!' the BC school board has one more graduate to add to their ever increasing list of young adults who cannot learn.
I still cannot believe that this is the regular accepted practice in BC.
I look forward to finishing up the tumultuous school year. We will have fun this summer. We plan to do a lot of simple outings, nature walks and lazy days at the beach. Then in September we will start grade 3 1/2. The plan is to dedicate a lot of our energy to the Susan Barton program while we do a mix of grade 3 and grade 4 curriculum.
Friday, May 4, 2012
The Journey Continues
Milk intolerance. How do you deal with it? Do you make sure you drink milk more often? Maybe you should just drink it a little slower, try more milk products. No, if you suffer this pain, you avoid dairy at all costs. When you realize that you need the nutrition of it, you find other sources.
What about if it is painful to read? Do you do it more often? Maybe go a little slower? No, you avoid it at all costs. This is how many people with learning difficulties deal with it. They memorize everything they can to avoid having to read it again. Being unable to decipher alphabet and phonetic code is not an indicator of a low IQ.
After weeks of 'learning assistance' I've realized that we are achieving nothing. It's like talking to someone with a language barrier. Why do we get louder and slower???? They are never going to understand. Learning assistance is just that. Ridiculous.
When we changed schools, it was because we were looking for a way to get answers. I was very clear with her Learning Assistance teacher that I wanted to know if she did in fact have Dyslexia or if she's not reading well because of other reasons. Mr. Roberts told me to my face that he knew nothing about Dyslexia. How in the world do you become a Learning Assistance teacher without learning about Dyslexia? It is a neurological learning difference that affects 1 in 5 people! Because it is a spectrum disorder it looks different with each person. It is also hereditary. People who never forget anything may have it. Also people who are 'sight readers' most likely have it in some form or another. It is not just the reversal of letters like b and d.
So now I ask myself. Why are we in the public system? Finally, I pushed Mr. Roberts enough that he is willing to test her for 'learning difficulties'. Really? Didn't we determine that already? But the wonderful public education system has set up certain steps to take. Let's refer to them as hoops.
Here is a copy of the email I received from Mr. Roberts on Monday:
Unfortunately we do not have any tests here that can diagnose her with dyslexia; however, I can conduct a couple of tests that may or may not suggest that she has a learning disability. If we find out that she does have a learning disability (and it could be related to her dyslexia), then we will talk about her at a School-Base Team meeting to decide what kind of support she needs, such as adapted learning and additional learning support. If we do decide that she needs learning support, then we can decide when would be a good time for her to come in where I can offer her some support in her studies. If she continues to struggle with adaptations and learning support, we can then proceed with more in-depth testing from the school's psychologist; however, to get this testing done, we do have to show her achievement history, what kind of screen testing has been done and what kind of adaptations have been put in place. Furthermore, the waitlist to get this testing done is quite long.
This does not sound very encouraging to me at all. While in Kelowna this past weekend I was renewed and challenged at the Christian Homeschool Conference. I attended a couple workshops on the Susan Barton System of learning as well as Fast ForWord. I will include links at the bottom of this page.
Maybe some people would stop here and not try to figure this out. It can be emotionally and mentally challenging. It is my responsibility as her parent to do what I can for her. It's true that many people can become quite successful in life without learning to read. But why would I set her up for potential frustrations for her whole life, when I have the resources available to me.
I met a woman trained in the Susan Barton program (Rita Pape). She is a wonderful Christian woman who has been commissioned by Heritage Christian Online School to support families like mine. We spoke at length on Tuesday about what she can do to help us along this journey. She was quite surprised that we had opted to leave HCOS for a public school in the quest for help. Apparently HCOS has an amazing system set in place to help families with LD children. It seems that we 'fell through the cracks'. Of course I feel beyond frustrated. I can have free access to Rita's knowledge and the Susan Barton program. She suggested I pray about returning in the fall to HCOS.
So here we are, at another crossroads. Mike supports whatever decision I make and he thinks we should go back to HCOS with a new support teacher. Diane loves her new school and enjoys the social aspect of it. But, truthfully, there are many years ahead of her for social time.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
Susan Barton Program
http://www.dys-add.com/
Fast ForWord
http://www.scilearn.com/products/
What about if it is painful to read? Do you do it more often? Maybe go a little slower? No, you avoid it at all costs. This is how many people with learning difficulties deal with it. They memorize everything they can to avoid having to read it again. Being unable to decipher alphabet and phonetic code is not an indicator of a low IQ.
After weeks of 'learning assistance' I've realized that we are achieving nothing. It's like talking to someone with a language barrier. Why do we get louder and slower???? They are never going to understand. Learning assistance is just that. Ridiculous.
When we changed schools, it was because we were looking for a way to get answers. I was very clear with her Learning Assistance teacher that I wanted to know if she did in fact have Dyslexia or if she's not reading well because of other reasons. Mr. Roberts told me to my face that he knew nothing about Dyslexia. How in the world do you become a Learning Assistance teacher without learning about Dyslexia? It is a neurological learning difference that affects 1 in 5 people! Because it is a spectrum disorder it looks different with each person. It is also hereditary. People who never forget anything may have it. Also people who are 'sight readers' most likely have it in some form or another. It is not just the reversal of letters like b and d.
So now I ask myself. Why are we in the public system? Finally, I pushed Mr. Roberts enough that he is willing to test her for 'learning difficulties'. Really? Didn't we determine that already? But the wonderful public education system has set up certain steps to take. Let's refer to them as hoops.
Here is a copy of the email I received from Mr. Roberts on Monday:
Unfortunately we do not have any tests here that can diagnose her with dyslexia; however, I can conduct a couple of tests that may or may not suggest that she has a learning disability. If we find out that she does have a learning disability (and it could be related to her dyslexia), then we will talk about her at a School-Base Team meeting to decide what kind of support she needs, such as adapted learning and additional learning support. If we do decide that she needs learning support, then we can decide when would be a good time for her to come in where I can offer her some support in her studies. If she continues to struggle with adaptations and learning support, we can then proceed with more in-depth testing from the school's psychologist; however, to get this testing done, we do have to show her achievement history, what kind of screen testing has been done and what kind of adaptations have been put in place. Furthermore, the waitlist to get this testing done is quite long.
This does not sound very encouraging to me at all. While in Kelowna this past weekend I was renewed and challenged at the Christian Homeschool Conference. I attended a couple workshops on the Susan Barton System of learning as well as Fast ForWord. I will include links at the bottom of this page.
Maybe some people would stop here and not try to figure this out. It can be emotionally and mentally challenging. It is my responsibility as her parent to do what I can for her. It's true that many people can become quite successful in life without learning to read. But why would I set her up for potential frustrations for her whole life, when I have the resources available to me.
I met a woman trained in the Susan Barton program (Rita Pape). She is a wonderful Christian woman who has been commissioned by Heritage Christian Online School to support families like mine. We spoke at length on Tuesday about what she can do to help us along this journey. She was quite surprised that we had opted to leave HCOS for a public school in the quest for help. Apparently HCOS has an amazing system set in place to help families with LD children. It seems that we 'fell through the cracks'. Of course I feel beyond frustrated. I can have free access to Rita's knowledge and the Susan Barton program. She suggested I pray about returning in the fall to HCOS.
So here we are, at another crossroads. Mike supports whatever decision I make and he thinks we should go back to HCOS with a new support teacher. Diane loves her new school and enjoys the social aspect of it. But, truthfully, there are many years ahead of her for social time.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
Susan Barton Program
http://www.dys-add.com/
Fast ForWord
http://www.scilearn.com/products/
Thursday, May 3, 2012
First Success
Today I weighed in. I lost 5.3 pounds in the last 2 weeks and I'm feeling very good about this journey. I know there will be dissapointments down to road, but today I feel fabulous! Yay me.Tuesday, May 1, 2012
It's Time
Over indulgence. Something we overlook in our society. For some it is a socially acceptable way of life. We look upon those who have an abundance of 'stuff' with envy. I want the bigger house, the newer car, the updated wardrobe, the self indulgence. For others' the indulgence is looked upon as contemptible. For me, it's food. My lack of self control is glaringly obvious to anyone who sees me. I've fought this battle before. I've had victories and failures. I go around and 'round this issue.
The time is now. No more will I continue to eat until I am beyond stuffed. I will not serve self. I will honor my body. I want to live healthy. I don't want my family to suffer if I become diabetic, die of heart disease or any of the other health related issues associated with obesity. There I said it, obese.
Years ago, I noticed that my family doctor had written the word 'obese' on my patient file. I was offended. Okay, so I'm a little overweight. Soft, fluffy, curvaceous, insulated, voluptuous, warm... The best adjective in the world does not cover the fact that I am obese, fat, a BMI of 36.7. No more fun adjectives. No more excuses. The time is now.
I am now two weeks into Weight Watchers. This is my 3rd time through. This time I will not quit when it gets hard. I won't make excuses for skipping the meetings. My time on this planet is short and I want to spend it enjoying the family God gave me. I want to walk and not be weary, to run and not faint. To be a new me. A new me more energy.
If you don't want the details, stop reading now. When we got married I was overweight at 140 lbs. When I had Diane I was 250 lbs. Now at 38 years old I am 227lbs. My healthy weight is suppose to be between 124-155lbs. That is 72-103lbs to lose. I'd love to reach my healthy weight by my 40th birthday.
This journey is about a lot more than eating right. I have to stop eating in secret. To stop wolfing it down. this is not a race, I don't need to 'git 'er done!'. I need to stop eating something so it won't go to waste. I couldn't tell you how many times I've eaten something that I don't enjoy, just so it won't end up in the garbage. I AM NOT A GARBAGE. I will savour what I eat. I will enjoy it on a whole new level. I am not going to eat lima beans though, I never will. Lima beans, mushrooms and tofu. These are all, and will always be, on my DO NOT EAT LIST.
The time is now. No more will I continue to eat until I am beyond stuffed. I will not serve self. I will honor my body. I want to live healthy. I don't want my family to suffer if I become diabetic, die of heart disease or any of the other health related issues associated with obesity. There I said it, obese.
Years ago, I noticed that my family doctor had written the word 'obese' on my patient file. I was offended. Okay, so I'm a little overweight. Soft, fluffy, curvaceous, insulated, voluptuous, warm... The best adjective in the world does not cover the fact that I am obese, fat, a BMI of 36.7. No more fun adjectives. No more excuses. The time is now.
I am now two weeks into Weight Watchers. This is my 3rd time through. This time I will not quit when it gets hard. I won't make excuses for skipping the meetings. My time on this planet is short and I want to spend it enjoying the family God gave me. I want to walk and not be weary, to run and not faint. To be a new me. A new me more energy.
If you don't want the details, stop reading now. When we got married I was overweight at 140 lbs. When I had Diane I was 250 lbs. Now at 38 years old I am 227lbs. My healthy weight is suppose to be between 124-155lbs. That is 72-103lbs to lose. I'd love to reach my healthy weight by my 40th birthday.
This journey is about a lot more than eating right. I have to stop eating in secret. To stop wolfing it down. this is not a race, I don't need to 'git 'er done!'. I need to stop eating something so it won't go to waste. I couldn't tell you how many times I've eaten something that I don't enjoy, just so it won't end up in the garbage. I AM NOT A GARBAGE. I will savour what I eat. I will enjoy it on a whole new level. I am not going to eat lima beans though, I never will. Lima beans, mushrooms and tofu. These are all, and will always be, on my DO NOT EAT LIST.
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