The day before college starts

Here it is!  We made it.  It is the day before college starts.  It has been a process to get to this point. There have been many appointments scheduled, many trips to the college, many assistive technology decisions made, many logistical things that we have had to think through….but it has arrived.  The day before school….

How did we get here?

It has been a process.  We like to tell our son that these are all learning opportunities for him.  I think he’s tired of all of these opportunities.

The following list of blog posts is kind of a picture of what the process has been like the past year.  We started working toward this transition a long time ago, but some things just can’t be done until the end.

6 Steps for Transitioning a Child with Special Needs
When the insurance authorization letter arrives...

Low Vision Diagnosis
We visited the college.

Senior Stress and ADD

Visit with DBVI Vocational Rehab

Get through the wave

Getting ready for college

Ummmm...you don’t know what it’s like

A day at the college

Who knew buying a bag was so difficult?

Stop looking at me!

A Week of College Stuff

College just got real.

Homeschooling was REALLY comfortable!

What have we been doing this week?

This week has been a collaborative effort on our family’s part to make sure that S has everything he needs to be successful.

We have been to campus a number of times in the past week making sure S can get himself around campus.  The challenge he has with his Low Vision is that he can’t see the building names across campus.  He needs to know his exact path to follow to get from A to B.  We have visited campus frequently.  He has wheeled himself around.  We have talked out a path.  We have found landmarks for him to identify.  

Oh...another challenge is that it’s not just a matter of getting to the building and entering a door. He has to find the door that has the handicap accessible button or the door with the ramp.  

One more challenge S has is that he has a horrible sense of direction; however, he is very good with maps and creating a picture in his head.  He has studied the campus map.  We created a campus made of Legos, and he has moved the Lego man around campus and talked about the path.

He has his school supplies.  His supply list is somewhat different than other students.  He has Assistive Technology devices and software to help with his Low Vision and fine motor issues due to Cerebral Palsy.  He is using Zoom Text, Dragon Dictation, and the EmPower program through efofex software (free software for students with special needs to help with math and science equations and graphing) along with:

The Transformer which projects an enlarged image onto his laptop screen.  He has just received this, so he needs some practice with it to see how helpful it will really be.

He received a syllabus already from one teacher with her supplies on it.  We have had to try to figure out exactly what he will need from that list as we look at how he will adapt her requirements to fit his needs.  He has emailed her, and she seems quite receptive to what he has suggested.

S also has ADD which presents a challenge when we are talking about college.  Time management and planning are going to be key in his success.  He likes using Google Calendar and the task list.  He has already entered all of his assignments from the syllabus he has received.  (I won’t tell how long it actually took him to do that task.)

S likes looking at a calendar also.  We have a 4 week calendar on our fridge that he frequently stops by to look at and gets sucked into the “Calendar Zone”.  We purchased a 4 month calendar to hang on the wall near his desk.  J has filled it in for him for this semester and color coded everything for S.

At this point, we believe we have everything in place for S to be successful.  I'm sure we are missing something. I am anxious to talk to him tomorrow afternoon to see how his first day went. As he likes to tell us, “You are more excited about this than I am.”  Maybe...just maybe….

I will be on the couch with chocolate looking forward to seeing how this next chapter in my son’s life plays out!

Get Through the Wave

My son, S, is rapidly approaching graduation.  He’s not excited about graduating because real life is on the other side of that milestone.  For a young adult who has multiple disabilities, he has a few more things on his to-do list than other young adults.  He has been a little stressed about “life”.  We spend a lot of time talking to him about this.

The past few months have been busy for S.  He has been arranging transportation for himself through Paratransit.  He is applying for SSI.  He has had to establish himself as a client with the Department of Blind/Visually Impaired Vocational Rehab.  He needs to coordinate with DARS since he is now a client of DBVI also.  These are just the service related pieces he is working to put in place.

He has college things he needs to do also.  He has applied to college.  He has completed the FAFSA.  He needs to finish his College Algebra course and apply for ACE credit for that.  He needs to take his placement tests at the college, so he can register for classes.

These are all things we have been working on all year.  We didn’t just start doing them.  We have known they needed to be done.  To my 18 year old son, it is all just a little overwhelming.

Yesterday, he was talking to me about how much there is to do yet.  I explained to him that the hard stuff is over.  He didn’t believe me.  We talked about how much he has already done.

*Transportation has been applied for and approved. We just need to figure out how it is going to work.

*He has filled out the application for SSI and gathered supporting documentation.  He needs to make an appointment and go to the Social Security office.  I told him once he gets the final word from them then he can plan accordingly.

*He has already established himself as a client with DBVI.  Now, it’s just a matter of doing an employment plan and staying in touch with them.

*He just needs to stay in touch with DARS according to the plan he has established with them.

I told him it is like trying to get through a wave.  It is hard work, but it is nice on the other side. You can enjoy the water for a little bit.  We are beach people; he understands that.    

I may not be on the couch with chocolate if I can find a way to get everything done at the beach.

A thank you to my son, J, for his awesome beach photos.

(Get it?  It’s a huge thank you.)

Gymnastics, Horse Show, Break

On the Homefront

I am mixing my format up this week!  I figured that I should explain how crazy busy last weekend was in order to wrap everything up for the week.

Friday night we headed up to northern Virginia for J’s state gymnastics meet on Saturday.  We slept in Saturday and headed over to the Udvar Hazy Center which is an annex of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Center.  My husband, J, and I have been there before. S had not.  He loved it!  For my history loving son, there isn’t anything much more exciting than seeing World War II aircraft.

After a late lunch at Saladworks, we headed out for J’s meet.  He had a great meet!  After the meet, we ran to Starbucks and then ordered pizza.  We ate at 11:15 that evening.  Sunday morning we were up because we needed to be back for S’s horse show.  I was able to get his time slot changed from 11:15 to 2:00.  That was wonderful.  We could leave a little bit later.  It allowed us time to stop at Quantico for Jamba Juice.  It’s the little things in life that make us happy.  

We arrived an hour ahead of time for the horse show which gave us time to visit with other families and staff at the arena.  The weather was very nice for the show.

That brings us to Monday.  We were all quite tired on Monday.  It was a fairly routine week which was nice other than my husband coming home sick from work on Wednesday.

This weekend will be more relaxing than last weekend.  Thank goodness!  

The Senior

S was not excited about having to go up to northern Virginia with us; however, he had a great time at the Udvar Hazy Center.  He is ready to go back for a longer visit.  He enjoyed looking into the restoration hangar area.

He rode well at his horse show.  He has come a long way since he started riding out there. One of his former instructors was there to watch, so that was nice.  His side walker was able to be there since they switched his time to the later slot, so he was quite happy about that.

This week for school S finished his research paper!!!  He continued to work on College Algebra, History, daily journal writing, editing, and German IV.  He is almost done with the book, Without You, There is No Us.  He is on a 2 week break right now.  I’m sure he will be keep busy watching History videos and sleeping.

S has been busy finishing up some of the life paperwork things he needed to do.  He filled out his application for transportation on Sunday.  He also needed his doctor and ophthalmologist to fill out some papers for the application process.  He received an email Wednesday evening saying it had been processed and approved! Amazing!  Now, we just need to figure out how it all works.

He looked at some Career Interest websites since he will need to create his plan for employment with Vocational Rehab.  He gathered some documents together for his SSI application. He's getting quite annoyed with all of the processes and paperwork.  I understand, but it all needs to be done.  It was encouraging to hear back so quickly on his transportation paperwork.

S had a chiropractor appointment on Monday. He will start going every 2 weeks instead of every week. He has horseback riding this morning and will volunteer 4 hours on Saturday.

The Sophomore

I have to start J’s section off with an update on his state meet.  If you will allow one very proud mother to gush a little, stay with me.  He had the best meet of his season!  He improved his score in 4 of the 6 events and his All Around score.  He took 9th on floor, 11th All Around, and 1st on Parallel Bars!  This mother may or may not have been screaming, hooting, and hollering quite a bit!  He qualified for the Regional meet which will be next month.

Thanks to my husband for taking pictures and video taping the events.  My job is to text scores to family, friends, and our coach’s wife.

In addition to his exciting weekend, J had AP History homework to complete.  He had a Driver’s Ed test, an AP History test, and a Chemistry test this week.  He has an AP History project due on Monday and a Spanish project due on Tuesday, so he will be busy this weekend.  Can you tell the end of the quarter is coming? I promised Starbucks as a treat.  He has one week left of school before he is on break.

This week J had 17.5 hours of practice.  He is working on some new skills to include at the next meet.

What did I write this week?

California School Experiences

Save the Best for Last:  My Son’s View on Having CP

Therapy with Games

Linking up with:

Visit with DBVI Vocational Rehab

[This post was written by my husband who is guest writing for me today. I asked him to write this post since he is the one who took S to his initial DBVI Vocational Rehab appointment.]

S was classified as visually impaired earlier this year.  At the time, we weren’t sure of the value in this “label”.  How would this “label” benefit him and his transition to college and adulthood?  

With this classification, S is now eligible for services and support through the Virginia Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI).  A couple of weeks ago, I went with S to his initial meeting with DBVI Vocational Rehab.  It was a very good meeting, and I came to appreciate the quality of service DBVI Voc Rehab provides.

Prior to the meeting, S was very apprehensive and anxious.  He didn’t understand the need to meet with MORE support people.  He already had counselors with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and Disability Support Services at the college.  What would DBVI be able to add and why would DBVI need all this additional paperwork?  It seemed to him to be too much stuff.

Here is what S and I found valuable from our session with DBVI Voc Rehab:

• Assistive Technology:  S really liked the digital magnification tools (hand held, desktop and application-based)
• Vocational Planning:  They were laser focused on the ultimate objective, career employment.
• Education and Training: With a clear vocational goal, Voc Rehab will help identify the education/training steps needed to achieve that goal; to include continuous monitoring of progress.
• DBVI in a supporting role: S has the final say on his vocational goal and the steps needed to achieve his goal.  This one was very important to S.  He likes control.
• Advice on SSI:  Based on DBVI’s strong recommendation, we started the application process for SSI.  This is designed to provide some support funding for S as he attends college since he won’t be able to work and go to school at the same time.

We have much more to do with DBVI Voc Rehab but this positive first meeting with them alleviated much of the anxiety S was feeling about their role in his journey.

With my husband running S around to appointments creating more free time for me, you can find me on the couch with chocolate. You can find my husband at sixbottlestoparis.

8 Weeks Left - Graduation Prep

The Senior

It has been a busy, productive week for S.  I feel like I write the same thing every week for what he has worked on.  I guess when you are a senior with only 8 weeks of class left and you are trying to wrap things up, there won’t be a lot of change.

What did he work on?

College Algebra

Daily journal writing and editing

German IV

History-He’s trying to prolong this course.

Reading Without You, There is No Us

S has started writing his research paper.  This one seems to be going better than his last one.  

1. He did a better job with his notes (Taking notes from a printed source were better than notes from the computer - forced to paraphrase).
2. He has a good outline.  
3. He color coded his notes to correlate with his outline.  It is easy to find the notes that correspond to various topics in his outline.

S Plans to Move

S had a chiropractor appointment on Monday.  He hadn’t been to the chiropractor in 4 weeks because of weather.  He was looking forward to his appointment.  He has now started making plans to just move into the clinic.  He feels if he has access to the vibracussor, massage beds, and the massage chair that he just found there then life would be good.  

Of course, the staff there doesn’t help the situation.  They were telling him what they have for breakfast every day.  One worker said he would install a toothbrush holder in one of the bathrooms for him.  The chiropractor said they would put a sign on one of the bathrooms, “The King’s Throne.”  It’s good to be loved.  

Enjoying the massage chair.

S had Youth Group Wednesday evening and then he and my husband attended the Lenten service at church (see below why I didn’t go).  Today he is volunteering for 3 hours since he doesn’t have horseback riding.  He will volunteer for 4 hours tomorrow.

S finished his SSI application this past weekend.  This weekend he will be creating his own binder with all of his documents related to SSI, paperwork from DBVI and DARS, and other papers.  I have maintained the Great Big Book of S for 14 years.  It is time to pass the torch.

The Sophomore

J had a full week of school - no early release, no delays, and no snow days!  He had an oral Spanish presentation on Monday.  He and his partner volunteered to go first, and they received 5 bonus points.  It is finished and bonus points - a good day in Spanish!  He had a number of tests this week.  He has an English project due next week along with AP History questions and writings.  

He also filled out his wish list for courses next year.  We had talked about that during one of his snow days, so he was prepared.  It’s hard to believe he is planning courses for his Junior year!

J was supposed to go on an Art field trip to Washington DC this week; however, it was pushed to next week.  Since he would miss practice that day, he had to make the decision if he was going to still go on it since the state gymnastics meet is next Saturday.  He opted to pass on the field trip and go to practice.  

J had a full week of practice - 17.5 hours.  They have been working basics and new skills.  We attended the college meet last Sunday, and there is another one tomorrow night.  His coach likes J to attend and see the skills the college gymnasts are doing.  It is good motivation.

On the Homefront

“If you are trying to get from (name of city I was in) to (name of city I live in), good luck!”

This is what I heard on the radio after dropping J off at practice Wednesday evening.  Are you kidding me?  I have 3 options for my drive home:  the Interstate and 2 different highways. Every one of the routes was scarlet colored on Google Maps.  I called my husband and told him I was staying.

“Do you have anything to do?”

“I have my phone with my Kindle app, so I will go hang out at Starbucks.”

I was thankful I was dressed decently since I have been known to do the practice drop off in my yoga pants, old t-shirt, Crocs with socks, no jacket.  I was presentable.  Must maintain the standard at Starbucks.

Here is a picture of what I had to entertain myself with for 3.5 hours.  I was glad I was able to scrounge up a charger and cord in my van.  I guess it pays not to get everything put away immediately.  The umbrella was for the rainy weather.

On Thursday, I received the following text from J.  

Not a problem except the library doesn’t have any available copies.  Off to Barnes and Noble I ran.

Last weekend J helped create three different announcements for S’s graduation (commencement is on June 13).  We need one for the party in Minnesota on June 28, one with a special thank you note for providers/educators who have helped S get to this point throughout the years (we didn’t get this far without help), and one to send to friends who aren’t in/near Minnesota.  They are ordered!  One more thing to check off the list.  Now, I need to get everyone’s addresses.  I have time, so it will get done.

Tonight my husband and I were going to have date night; however, he had to go to Washington DC for work.  He may or may not be back in time.  If not, I will have drop off and pick up.  We will be at the college gymnastics meet tomorrow night.  

If you need some entertaining reading, stop by my husband’s blog for this week’s post, The Lexicon Kerfuffle.

What did I write this week?

Cerebral Palsy Awareness:  Mom’s Perspective

The “Great Big Book of S”

Therapy in the Kitchen

If I can get from here to there, you will find me on the couch with chocolate!

Linking up with:

http://www.lovethatmax.com/

9 Weeks Left and Gotcha Day Anniversary

The Senior

It has been a busy week for S.  Monday afternoon, he and his dad went to a 2+ hour meeting with the Vocational Rehab Counselor through the Department of Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI).  There was a lot of information that was discussed in that amount of time.  Considering S wasn’t excited about attending the meeting, he admitted that it was a good meeting.  

Of course, he had schoolwork.  He took another College Algebra assessment.  He’s hoping to be done with that course around the time of Spring Break.  Then he can apply for ACE credit for that course.  We would like to have that done before he takes his placement tests at the community college.

He also worked on his research paper which is due by the end of the month, History, German IV, and continued daily journal writing.  In addition to all of the senior school stuff, we took time to enjoy some Dr. Seuss books this week in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  We read The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Yertle the Turtle, The Butter Battle Book, The Sneetches, Oh the Places You’ll Go! (the theme of his graduation party), and Dr. Seuss Goes to War (my history nut).  You are never too old for his books!  

Yesterday was the 14th anniversary of S’s Gotcha Day.  That is always a special day at our house.  Since J had practice, we had a family celebration on Sunday.

S was supposed to have Youth Group Wednesday night; however, traffic was horrible for my husband, so he didn’t make it home in time to get S to church.  He was supposed to have horseback riding today; however, that was cancelled because of icy roads and an icy parking lot at the facility. He starts his new session in two weeks. He will be volunteering tomorrow for one shift.

The Sophomore

J had a good week at school.  He was tired though.  It was supposed to be a full week, but they had an early release on Thursday because of impending weather. It wasn't as bad as they predicted, so Friday was a 2 hour delay. He was glad they didn't have another snow day. When the kids are tired of snow days, you know you have had too many of them.

J was SLAMMED with homework though!  He had a take home AP History test (78 multiple choice questions and 6 or 7 writing questions).  He had a Chemistry test.  He had a Driver’s Ed. quiz.  He has an upcoming Math test.  He has AP History questions due.  He has an English project due. He survived though!  Spring Break will be here in 4 weeks.

He had a good week at practice.  He has been practicing his vault quite a bit after the vaultastrophe. He practiced 13 hours.  He went late on Tuesday, so he could get his homework done.  His coach and his wife are extremely supportive of the gymnasts getting their schoolwork done.  When I texted the coach’s wife to tell her that J would be late, her response was, “Make sure he finishes all of his homework.”  Practice was cancelled Thursday because of weather.

On the Homefront

It has been busy here.  We are in crunch mode trying to get things in order for S for next year. The amazing part of crunch time is that we started all of this early.  It didn’t just appear on our plate.  It is a process we have been working on for a while.  It just seems like a lot of it needs to be done NOW.  

S’s meeting on Monday went well. The Vocational Rehab Counselors reinforced many things we have been telling him that need to be done.  Hopefully this weekend we will finish his SSI application.  He needs to apply to HandiRide for transportation.  Contrary to what he thinks and “suggested” to me, I am not going to drop everything and haul him around to wherever he needs to go next year and the years to come.  He also needs to coordinate some things between his Vocational Rehab Counselors at DBVI and DARS.  It will all get done.  We have a list!

What else has been happening here?  My husband had a church meeting the other night, so I had drop off and pick up duty.  I went to my favorite Starbucks only to find out they were closing early that evening for renovations.  I had to go to a different one.  I don’t like the seating there.  I had some very chatty college girls sitting near me.  I decided I should have just taken my ipad and my “Great Big Book of S’s School” binder into the bathroom and worked since I couldn’t hear them in there.

Sunday afternoon we are going to a college gymnastics meet.  That will be fun.

What did I write this week?

Cerebral Palsy Awareness:  A Brother’s Perspective

Gotcha Day Anniversary

You will find me on the couch with chocolate working on our to-do list with S!  Have a good week!

Linking up with:

http://www.lovethatmax.com/