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.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Would you wear this??
Black wedding dress by Vera Wang. Aside from the sad undernourished look on the model, I would absolutely have worn a black dress! Black happens to be the only colour my husband wears. Can you imagine how he would have felt watching me walk down the aisle towards him in a black wedding dress? Who cares about what your family and friends think or what the world says about it. The wedding day is about joining a man and woman together though God in unity. In the moments when you speak you vows the world disappears. The months of planning don't matter, truly, you could be wearing shorts and a t-shirt and that moment would be forever emblazoned in your memory. The way he looks into your eyes. The sound of your heartbeat as you utter the words 'I do'. The years that follow matter, putting into practice the promises made with the heart. What does 'for better or worse' mean? or 'sickness and health'? These are the years and times that bring you closer together. Closer to God, the creator of marriage, closer to one another as husband and wife. It doesn't matter what you wear or how you look. It matters who you marry and more importantly who you become after the wedding. Am I still the person he wants to marry? Would his eyes water again to see me walk towards him, now that we have disappointments and memories behind us and not just hopes and dreams ahead?
Friday, March 2, 2012
Different Options
I heard about this today... I think it is a very interesting option. I loathe the idea of my spouse sitting in an urn on my mantle, but I also dislike the idea of him being buried in a cemetary. What if I move to a different place? It can be comforting to have a place to go to remember, so this is a new and interesting way to keep the memory of those you love close to you. This company and others like it, take the ashes of your loved ones and/or pets and create diamonds which you can then have set into rings or pendants. Is it morbid or brilliant? I haven't decided. Something to ponder...
http://www.lifegem.com/
http://www.lifegem.com/
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A new Beginning
We have finally reached a decision regarding Diane's schooling. We have enrolled at our new school. Diane will start attending classes after Spring Break, but we will start with our new curriculum tomorrow. We met with her support teacher and the Learning Centre teacher on Friday and had a tour of the school. It is such a cute little school in the country. There is a resource room with curriculum and library books. There is also a parent portable, for those days that she is only there for a couple hours of learning assistance. I can hang out in the parent portable and use the computers or just sit and read a book. I love that the hallway walls are decorated with children's projects and that she will get to play in the playground with her new friends at lunch and recess. She will attend one day a week and the rest of the lessons at home on the other days. The curriculum is fairly straight forward and it looks like we will receive a lot of support from the school.
Diane is a little scared of the upcoming changes. A few days ago she had a minor meltdown and started crying. As we talked about it, I realized that she is terrified of not being able to do it. I assured her that we had prayed about the changes, and that I have received complete peace about this. If I have peace about this, then she can also have peace and trust the Lord too. She agreed to pray about her fears and trust that the Lord will guide her.
The testing for Dyslexia will start soon, and then we will know in what areas she will need the extra help. Currently at home we have really simplified the plan, sculpting words with clay and reviewing the Dolch sight words. We have worked through the book 'The Gift of Dyslexia'. The last half of the book has sessions that we have worked through to re-train her brain. One of the most difficult things for Dyslexics is the fact that we have so many ways of writing every letter. Consider all the ways you see the letter 'a', every book, sign and personal printing. Now layer each of those letters one atop the other. This is how she sees every letter, and so of course she is confused and her printing is very wobbly. We are having to slowly and methodically remove that image and replace it with the letters that she forms with the clay so she can really feel and see it. This is called 'symbol mastery', and although it is painstaking work, we have already felt progress in her reading.
Although we are closing a chapter in our homeschooling venture, I believe that the new changes will be a perfect fit for us. Thank you, all my friends and family for keeping us in your prayers.
Diane is a little scared of the upcoming changes. A few days ago she had a minor meltdown and started crying. As we talked about it, I realized that she is terrified of not being able to do it. I assured her that we had prayed about the changes, and that I have received complete peace about this. If I have peace about this, then she can also have peace and trust the Lord too. She agreed to pray about her fears and trust that the Lord will guide her.
The testing for Dyslexia will start soon, and then we will know in what areas she will need the extra help. Currently at home we have really simplified the plan, sculpting words with clay and reviewing the Dolch sight words. We have worked through the book 'The Gift of Dyslexia'. The last half of the book has sessions that we have worked through to re-train her brain. One of the most difficult things for Dyslexics is the fact that we have so many ways of writing every letter. Consider all the ways you see the letter 'a', every book, sign and personal printing. Now layer each of those letters one atop the other. This is how she sees every letter, and so of course she is confused and her printing is very wobbly. We are having to slowly and methodically remove that image and replace it with the letters that she forms with the clay so she can really feel and see it. This is called 'symbol mastery', and although it is painstaking work, we have already felt progress in her reading.
Although we are closing a chapter in our homeschooling venture, I believe that the new changes will be a perfect fit for us. Thank you, all my friends and family for keeping us in your prayers.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Listen
Thoughts run through my head. Feelings in pictures, words swirling around, my heart pulled. Sorrowful for my debt. My debt to the One who loves me. You who with only words created this whole universe. This place I call home. This body and mind. Who am I to say I don't have time? We can only rest in forgiveness and grace. There is nothing I can do without Him who gives me strength. I cannot help my husband. I cannot teach my child. I cannot take care of my home. I cannot do anything. I need only spend some time at His feet. To lay down my crown, my pride, my selfishness, my busyness. I need to be still and know that He is God.
Listen...my heartbeat, created by and for Him.
Listen...my lungs, breathing the air He supplies.
Listen...the still small voice speaks to me.
Lord that only this time would last forever. That I would not have to move away from this place. 'My child' He says 'this place is always here. Even in your waking and doing, this place is here, for I live beyond all time and space. You are here in this place with Me. My child, do not worry, I will never leave or forsake you. Even as you go about the days I have planned for you, your spirit is here, in communion with Me.'
Thank you Yahweh. I will listen.
Listen...my heartbeat, created by and for Him.
Listen...my lungs, breathing the air He supplies.
Listen...the still small voice speaks to me.
Lord that only this time would last forever. That I would not have to move away from this place. 'My child' He says 'this place is always here. Even in your waking and doing, this place is here, for I live beyond all time and space. You are here in this place with Me. My child, do not worry, I will never leave or forsake you. Even as you go about the days I have planned for you, your spirit is here, in communion with Me.'
Thank you Yahweh. I will listen.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
A Fork in the Road
It's been a couple weeks since my initial 'discovery'. Since then I have spoken to a few close friends and I have been in contact with our school about getting help with diagnosing (officially) and assisting with Dyslexia. Unfortunately, I have been feeling quite let down by our school. I have received the name if the person who oversees the learning disabilities students in the Lower Mainland. But she has yet to contact us.
I decided to look into a public home school system that ALL my church home school friends attend. I have shied away from this school because they are public and so is the curriculum and because I have heard that the workload can be extremely burdensome. But being a public school means that they have access to the educational resources that Diane may need. I have really enjoyed the last three and a half years with Diane at home. We have enjoyed our relaxed style of learning. But now as she goes into the higher grades we will need more accountability.
Pros to changing schools:
A 'once a week' classroom setting with real teachers
A yearly drama production
School friends
Learning assistance
More accountability
Cons:
Heavier workload
Non-Christian school
More accountability
I need to remember that nothing is permanent and that change can be good. Having Diane in school once a week means that I will have time to catch up on other things. Lunch with friends, bible study, quilting, and the thousand other things I always think of doing 'later'. I think I may commit to making sure that I do not turn the TV on during those days so I can actually be productive. Maybe I will join Weight Watchers again...
Diane is excited about the prospect of going to school. I think I am too. Please pray for wisdom and direction in this area.
I decided to look into a public home school system that ALL my church home school friends attend. I have shied away from this school because they are public and so is the curriculum and because I have heard that the workload can be extremely burdensome. But being a public school means that they have access to the educational resources that Diane may need. I have really enjoyed the last three and a half years with Diane at home. We have enjoyed our relaxed style of learning. But now as she goes into the higher grades we will need more accountability.
Pros to changing schools:
A 'once a week' classroom setting with real teachers
A yearly drama production
School friends
Learning assistance
More accountability
Cons:
Heavier workload
Non-Christian school
More accountability
I need to remember that nothing is permanent and that change can be good. Having Diane in school once a week means that I will have time to catch up on other things. Lunch with friends, bible study, quilting, and the thousand other things I always think of doing 'later'. I think I may commit to making sure that I do not turn the TV on during those days so I can actually be productive. Maybe I will join Weight Watchers again...
Diane is excited about the prospect of going to school. I think I am too. Please pray for wisdom and direction in this area.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Building an Igloo
Every child dreams of making the coolest (no pun intended) igloo on the block. Diane is no different. She wanted to turn a snow pile into an igloo in our front yard. We went outside and attempted to pack the heap as hard as we could, this proved to be a much harder than we anticipated. So we came up with a solution. Why not build a volcano to play in? Here are a couple pictures of our success.
Inside the Mind
When Diane is feeling too much emotion she often draws it out. Sometimes she shares with me, sometimes she doesn't. She has an artists book that is her 'diary'. When most of us think of diaries we think of pages filled with words, Dianes diary is pages filled with pictures. These pictures always tell a story, sometimes she tells the story to me as she is drawing it. Sometimes she shows it to me after it's complete. Today she used her little whiteboard to draw out her feelings.
Here we see all the 'people inside her brain'. Everybody is yelling different ideas of what she should be doing. Eventually it all becomes too much for her to handle and she yells out in frustration, then falls to the ground.
I'm pretty sure that this is an accurate depiction of what goes on in there. She is always so 'busy' and has been since she was a baby. There are so many thoughts and ideas racing around that sometimes she just doesn't know which way is up.
One thing I've learned so far, is that Dyslexics often see their ideas as reality. So when Leonardo Di Vinci drew out the picture of a helicopter (long before it's invention), he 'saw' it in real time and space and from every angle. So the child that daydreams or is spaced out, is really seeing something so amazing in their mind, that nothing in our present reality can capture their attention.
Here we see all the 'people inside her brain'. Everybody is yelling different ideas of what she should be doing. Eventually it all becomes too much for her to handle and she yells out in frustration, then falls to the ground.
I'm pretty sure that this is an accurate depiction of what goes on in there. She is always so 'busy' and has been since she was a baby. There are so many thoughts and ideas racing around that sometimes she just doesn't know which way is up.
One thing I've learned so far, is that Dyslexics often see their ideas as reality. So when Leonardo Di Vinci drew out the picture of a helicopter (long before it's invention), he 'saw' it in real time and space and from every angle. So the child that daydreams or is spaced out, is really seeing something so amazing in their mind, that nothing in our present reality can capture their attention.
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Need to Read
From early on I suspected that something was different with the way my daughter looks at life. Her perception of how things are is always a little more interesting than the mundane way that the majority of us function. She has always been able to 'see' beyond the normal. Not in a supernatural way, although there have been moments where she clearly sees the unseen. But in more of an abstract view of the world. Like a Picasso crossed with a VanGough.
Her attention to detail can be profound in some areas and completely absent in others.
A couple years ago I realized that her mind is constantly busy and her need to be kinesthetically stimulated could almost never be met. When in the home school environment, I found that having her close her eyes and tell me what is going on in her mind would sometimes help with focusing. She would describe what she sees and then we would verbally tell each distraction to go back into its proper 'room' in her mind. I tried giving her something to fiddle with while doing lessons in hopes that her mind would stay on task while her body was in motion. We tried using an exercise ball as her chair hoping for the same results.
All this aside, I have always marveled at her story telling and singing. Her heart is clearly tuned into the Holy Spirit in ways that even I cannot understand. She has an imagination that is not held back by the restrictions of our current universe. But through all this, I could not get her to learn to read or understand even the simplest of math equations.
When the stress level is low, she can read and do math, but as soon as there is a distraction or any stress, she loses it. She has memorized many of the English words we use, and I figured we had the problem licked when I discovered that she is a sight reader. Except that when these same words are in a book, she cannot unlock that part of her brain.
Just last week, during one of these trying moments of reading from a book, I thought I'd try to learn what she sees. I gently asked her what the letters in the words are doing. Without hesitation she said, "they are all jumping around". So then I asked what the lines in the book are doing. Her response was just as casual as before, "the lines are moving in a wave" she followed that with a snake waving motion.
OK, so this sounds a lot like Dyslexia, which is something my husband has struggled with for his whole life. What to do now? Do I continue to ignore this to avoid the horrific 'label' of having a Learning Disorder? Do I plunge into hours of research? Do I panic, cry, laugh?
I prayed, Lord help me to know how best to serve Diane in this. What would You have us do? There is a peace is knowing that it hasn't been my imagination all along. That her 'craziness' isn't crazy. She is fearfully and wonderfully made by The Creator. He just added a little something extra to her.
First off, I contacted our school facilitator and shared my discovery with him. He put me in touch with the Special Ed department at our school. After a lengthy phone conversation, he said it sounds like it is Dyslexia, and that he would put me in touch with the Learning Disabilities department. It looks as if we may be starting school all over again (at least the reading and spelling). We will be using the Susan Barton kits. This is a multi sensory learning program designed for the 'picture thinking' Dyslexic. I will be learning how she sees the world and then, by following the program I will be teaching her how to adapt her brain to see in only 2D so she can read.
I borrowed the book 'The Gift of Dyslexia' to begin the long process of trying to understand Diane. So far it has been a lot of 'Aha!' moments. I see both my husband and daughter in so many of these scenarios. It is an interesting and easy read for anyone who may want to educate themselves about Dyslexia.
FYI the following people are/were Dyslexic:
Alexander Graham Bell
Hans Christian Anderson (also home schooled)
Winston Churchill (also home schooled)
Leonardo da Vinci
Walt Disney
Albert Einstein (also home schooled)
Henry Ford
Her attention to detail can be profound in some areas and completely absent in others.
A couple years ago I realized that her mind is constantly busy and her need to be kinesthetically stimulated could almost never be met. When in the home school environment, I found that having her close her eyes and tell me what is going on in her mind would sometimes help with focusing. She would describe what she sees and then we would verbally tell each distraction to go back into its proper 'room' in her mind. I tried giving her something to fiddle with while doing lessons in hopes that her mind would stay on task while her body was in motion. We tried using an exercise ball as her chair hoping for the same results.
All this aside, I have always marveled at her story telling and singing. Her heart is clearly tuned into the Holy Spirit in ways that even I cannot understand. She has an imagination that is not held back by the restrictions of our current universe. But through all this, I could not get her to learn to read or understand even the simplest of math equations.
When the stress level is low, she can read and do math, but as soon as there is a distraction or any stress, she loses it. She has memorized many of the English words we use, and I figured we had the problem licked when I discovered that she is a sight reader. Except that when these same words are in a book, she cannot unlock that part of her brain.
Just last week, during one of these trying moments of reading from a book, I thought I'd try to learn what she sees. I gently asked her what the letters in the words are doing. Without hesitation she said, "they are all jumping around". So then I asked what the lines in the book are doing. Her response was just as casual as before, "the lines are moving in a wave" she followed that with a snake waving motion.
OK, so this sounds a lot like Dyslexia, which is something my husband has struggled with for his whole life. What to do now? Do I continue to ignore this to avoid the horrific 'label' of having a Learning Disorder? Do I plunge into hours of research? Do I panic, cry, laugh?
I prayed, Lord help me to know how best to serve Diane in this. What would You have us do? There is a peace is knowing that it hasn't been my imagination all along. That her 'craziness' isn't crazy. She is fearfully and wonderfully made by The Creator. He just added a little something extra to her.
First off, I contacted our school facilitator and shared my discovery with him. He put me in touch with the Special Ed department at our school. After a lengthy phone conversation, he said it sounds like it is Dyslexia, and that he would put me in touch with the Learning Disabilities department. It looks as if we may be starting school all over again (at least the reading and spelling). We will be using the Susan Barton kits. This is a multi sensory learning program designed for the 'picture thinking' Dyslexic. I will be learning how she sees the world and then, by following the program I will be teaching her how to adapt her brain to see in only 2D so she can read.
I borrowed the book 'The Gift of Dyslexia' to begin the long process of trying to understand Diane. So far it has been a lot of 'Aha!' moments. I see both my husband and daughter in so many of these scenarios. It is an interesting and easy read for anyone who may want to educate themselves about Dyslexia.
FYI the following people are/were Dyslexic:
Alexander Graham Bell
Hans Christian Anderson (also home schooled)
Winston Churchill (also home schooled)
Leonardo da Vinci
Walt Disney
Albert Einstein (also home schooled)
Henry Ford
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