Today, we had your very first IEP meeting. I have been feeling very stressed for the past few months about this day. My anxiety has been very high anticipating this day and the outcome of this meeting. As your mommy, I knew I would be the best advocate I know how to be. I also knew that I would probably cry. I was successful at both. We do not have an outcome at this point but I do feel that we had a very successful meeting and it is highly likely that you will be placed out of district without the big fight I thought we would have. The reason that this is so important to me is because your teachers need to be trained to understand your cortical visual impairment, as it is very complex, and as stated today, more of a neurological impairment.
You attended the meeting behaving like the angel that you are. At one point, Keri, your PT went on the mat and played with you before you fell asleep. You loved the lights in the classroom, so much that the lights occupied your visual attention. That sounds great, right? Well, we want you to look at more than lights so this is a main argument we have that this school cannot provide you with the education you need.
Twenty people attended this meeting including you, the largest IEP that any of your own therapists have attended. Daddy was the only male. I know females dominate the education field, but even more so in the early years. I was asked to prepare a "Vision Statement". When I handed it over as we were discussing our vision for you, well, I was told a statement, not the page I had prepared. Immediately, I spoke up and stated that you deserve a page, not a small statement.
My Hopes and Dreams For Savannah Mae:
It strikes me as odd that I am writing a "vision" statement about my visually impaired daughter, Savannah. I guess unfair that she is unable to actually visualize what I want for her because she has such limited vision at this point. So for this purpose, I will call it my hopes and dreams instead.
MY HOPES and DREAMS:
First and foremost, Savannah is a happy little girl who will be turning three in a few more months. I love that she is happy, so happy, yet sweet and feisty at the same time. She is a very pleasant little girl and more than anything in life, I want her to remain as happy as she is today. As her mother, I know I will do everything I can to make her feel happy, always. She is a joy to everyone that meets her and I have never loved anything the way I love her.
Her health is also very important to me, although, I know this is really out of my control. When she is healthy, she is happy and I couldn't ask for more. I pray that she remains so healthy and resilient.
My dreams for Savannah are big and I feel as she will accomplish them if she is guided through therapy and school with love and patience. I know she is going to need the right environment to learn the best that she can. I know she requires a lot at this point, but my hopes and dreams are that over time, life gets a little easier for her. That she doesn't have to work as hard at lifting her head, using her core, her hands, her speech, her legs, and maybe most importantly, using her vision. I dream that she can see just how beautiful she is. I want so badly for Savannah’s face to light up when I walk in the room. Not because she can hear me, but because she can see me. I know this is an accomplishable goal with extensive vision therapy. I know her low vision and processing issues can make it very hard to be motivated to look, reach, turn, examine, talk, and walk. With the right tools and therapists, I know she will do all of the above, even if it is not considered to be at the same level as her peers. My goal is not for her to be at the same level with her peers, but rather to be able to learn some independent life skills and live a happy fulfilling life.
My dream is that she will be accepted by everyone and her disabilities don't sway the decision of another child. She is more alike than different, she just needs more time and molding to help her reach her potential. She has already taught so many people just how truly wonderful differences can be. This is a dream I have for not only Savannah, but all of those living with a disability.
My hope is that she will have friends, real friends, who understand her with and without disabilities. Playdates, how great would that be? I know as her mom, I will feel awesome when she is accepted and included in things that are fun for her. There is so much we can all learn about someone with disabilities and I hope she will be a great example and that her typical peers will be compassionate and accepting.
I hope she will learn to sit independently in the near future, that she will walk and talk and run. I look forward to her sitting strong and playing in a new position. I really look forward to her calling me momma.
With all that said, I want her to have a happy, fulfilling life. I just want her to always be happy, feel accepted, and feel loved. I want her to be pushed hard, (but not too hard) to keep her moving in the right direction. I'm perfectly happy with her "inchstones" vs milestones. Savannah is on her own timeline and she has a lot to show the world.
You are worth everything and more than a small page about what my hopes and dreams are for you. I love you for who you are my sweet Savannah Mae!! You are my super hero!!
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| My Superpowers are Hydrocephalus and Cortical Visual Impairment |
Love, Mommy
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