Sunday night in Discipleship Training our discussion got around to children who commit or attempt to commit suicide. We were led toward this discussion because a 2nd grader from a neighboring county had attempted to hang himself in his closet. The consensus of many in the class was that he attempted suicide because of the violent TV he watched or because he had horrible parents. Normal children do not think of such things as such a young age.
I tend to disagree and today I had the opportunity to talk with a young man who gave me his viewpoint on this topic based on personal experience.
MN is a young man who co-owns a nursery business and landscape business.
M is ADD/ADHD and says if it weren't that his mom is a teacher and had tutored him nightly, he wouldn't be where he is today. He graduated high school and college and has a landscape business also.
He takes Adderal for his ADD/ADHD, and because of Shandi, I am always asking him stuff about his ADD and I get answers from the adult viewpoint, answers I can understand.
Here's the interesting things about our conversation today. He brought up the fact that anxiety and depression go along with ADD/ADHD. Then he goes on to tell me that even as a 4 year old he knew about suicide. He says he does not remember this incident but it is what prompted his mom and dad, who is a lawyer, to get him some help. They tell him he came down the hall dragging the shotgun and when asked what he planned to do he told them he was going to kill himself with it. He says that he doesn't want to think crazy thoughts, but he'll be driving down the road and seemingly out of nowhere comes the thought--now if I hit that tree just so then I will be gone, dead.
He said he could be at a water park having a blast and suddenly the thought comes >>>>>>> This is only going to last a short while. In 30 minutes we'll be leaving and all this fun will be over, then what? He says he can go to bed feeling fine, not depressed, and wake up in the middle of the night thinking suicide thoughts.
He says he battles them all the time. He loves his job. He enjoys life, but from time to time throughout the day these thoughts of suicide or what's the use, or what's next comes to mind.
Imagine my surprise that he came today and not only that he came out today, but he brought up the suicide topic. But then, why would I be surprised. God always gives the answers I need.
He said diet plays a huge part in how he feels too. Plenty of water, few soft drinks, more veggies and raw is better, and little meat and bread. Of course he doesn't stick to that himself, but he says he knows he feels better when he eats right.
I know we talked for 2 hours about ADD and I learned so much. He says that kids who do attempt suicide today, and those who succeed don't necessarily do it simply based on what they watch on TV or their family life. He had a wonderful family life according to him. Mom is a teacher, dad a lawyer, he has an older brother and older sister and a younger brother. They lived reasonably well but not extravagently.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, Monday
Ana’s been sick most of the week with a sinus infection, but by Saturday night her fever was beginning to climb rather than stay normal. Sunday morning she felt ok enough to go to church, probably because the 5th Sunday is her favorite day to attend because of Communion/Lord’s Supper. By the time we got home her temp was 101 and climbing even though she had taken some Tylenol that morning. Stacie opted to take her to ER.
The doc ordered a swab and finally came back and said it wasn’t flu but it was viral. No school for 2 days and check in with the family doctor. What he didn’t tell us and what the family doctor did say was that when they rule out flu—they rule out the regular type of flu. They don’t have a swab test for the Swine flu and that is probably what she had.
Well, ran to school to get Ana's work for these two days. Only 1 teacher and 1 aid were already in the classroom so didn't accomplish a thing there other than to be told by the two who were there that she could make it up when she came back.
Then tried to pay my electric bill online and only 1 of the 4 accounts we have would show up. Called MEPA and the girl said it showed on hers. So logged off, tried again, same thing. Tried to start another account with the blanket account number these 4 accounts are listed under, no go. Called back to pay by phone and after doing so the girl I spoke with there fixed it. She said someone had made changes and that had messed up the account.
Then had a phone call from the blooming idiot who installed my wildblue, and he talked for an hour wanting poppy seeds to make fall decorations. Yeah right! He was an airhead the day he was here, stayed on the phone making what sounded like drug deals and then wanted to come out and give me a free check up on my satellite. I don't think so! Plus he wants me to order him some poppy seed.
Then was paying a credit card, one they upgraded because I'm such a good customer, which gives me a new account number. I had changed that number on my folder and my reminder sheet about what each card is used for--I'm organized to the hilt on some things and a total slob on others. We use cc's to track plant expenses and the hardgoods we sell in the store along with the supplies like trays, fertilizer, cell packs and such. Plants go on one card and hardgoods on another which makes it easy at income tax time to just print that out rather than digging up receipts.
Ok back to the story, I had changed the number on the folder in the filing cabinet and on the reminder list, but the bill was under the old number, the website showed the new number so had to go digging for that information and try to not get confused. Then it was remember to change the file name to the confirmation folder where I save that information rather than wasting all the paper to print them out.
Oh, I volunteered to help out at school when they have a need. Told Mr. Boyd during the slow times I could volunteer a few hours here and there when they needed an extra set of eyes and hands. He thanked me but didn't ask me to come help today even though Shandi's teacher isn't there and she only has the aid, Lana Rushing.
Most of my day then was spent visiting with customers until time to water. Brenda called after supper. She was scheduled for a CT scan tomorrow in Hattiesburg. The Radiology called to say that unless she could pay the deductable on her medical insurance, they would have to cancel the scan. She explained to them that this was due to an accident. They said they would have to check with her doctor’s office to be sure he knew. She told them he already knew that. Then they said they would have to check with the finance office on what to do since they didn’t deal with 3rd party insurances anymore.
She was so upset. Her stomach has been swelled and hurting since the wreck and she can’t eat over a few bites at a time. We’ve tried to get her to go to an emergency room and maybe if they cancel this scan she will finally do that.
The doc ordered a swab and finally came back and said it wasn’t flu but it was viral. No school for 2 days and check in with the family doctor. What he didn’t tell us and what the family doctor did say was that when they rule out flu—they rule out the regular type of flu. They don’t have a swab test for the Swine flu and that is probably what she had.
Well, ran to school to get Ana's work for these two days. Only 1 teacher and 1 aid were already in the classroom so didn't accomplish a thing there other than to be told by the two who were there that she could make it up when she came back.
Then tried to pay my electric bill online and only 1 of the 4 accounts we have would show up. Called MEPA and the girl said it showed on hers. So logged off, tried again, same thing. Tried to start another account with the blanket account number these 4 accounts are listed under, no go. Called back to pay by phone and after doing so the girl I spoke with there fixed it. She said someone had made changes and that had messed up the account.
Then had a phone call from the blooming idiot who installed my wildblue, and he talked for an hour wanting poppy seeds to make fall decorations. Yeah right! He was an airhead the day he was here, stayed on the phone making what sounded like drug deals and then wanted to come out and give me a free check up on my satellite. I don't think so! Plus he wants me to order him some poppy seed.
Then was paying a credit card, one they upgraded because I'm such a good customer, which gives me a new account number. I had changed that number on my folder and my reminder sheet about what each card is used for--I'm organized to the hilt on some things and a total slob on others. We use cc's to track plant expenses and the hardgoods we sell in the store along with the supplies like trays, fertilizer, cell packs and such. Plants go on one card and hardgoods on another which makes it easy at income tax time to just print that out rather than digging up receipts.
Ok back to the story, I had changed the number on the folder in the filing cabinet and on the reminder list, but the bill was under the old number, the website showed the new number so had to go digging for that information and try to not get confused. Then it was remember to change the file name to the confirmation folder where I save that information rather than wasting all the paper to print them out.
Oh, I volunteered to help out at school when they have a need. Told Mr. Boyd during the slow times I could volunteer a few hours here and there when they needed an extra set of eyes and hands. He thanked me but didn't ask me to come help today even though Shandi's teacher isn't there and she only has the aid, Lana Rushing.
Most of my day then was spent visiting with customers until time to water. Brenda called after supper. She was scheduled for a CT scan tomorrow in Hattiesburg. The Radiology called to say that unless she could pay the deductable on her medical insurance, they would have to cancel the scan. She explained to them that this was due to an accident. They said they would have to check with her doctor’s office to be sure he knew. She told them he already knew that. Then they said they would have to check with the finance office on what to do since they didn’t deal with 3rd party insurances anymore.
She was so upset. Her stomach has been swelled and hurting since the wreck and she can’t eat over a few bites at a time. We’ve tried to get her to go to an emergency room and maybe if they cancel this scan she will finally do that.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Right or wrong or is there a right or wrong
Ana is almost 11, so she's probably entering pre-puberty. So are all her friends. She's been sick most of the week with a sinus infection but has gone to school anyway.
Yesterday evening after school her 'best' friend Cheyenne called to ask/tell her that her other friend, Bridget was mad at her because another girl, Tori, had told Bridget that Ana had called Bridget an idiot. Ana told Cheyenne she didn't say that. After they hung up Ana explained to us that Tori had always treated her this way, and that Tori said come Monday she would twist Ana's head off.
It wasn't but a few minutes that Bridget called. Bridget was accusing Ana of calling her an idiot and I heard Ana re-affirm that she didn't say such a thing, then she started crying.
At that point I took the phone from Ana and said to Bridget: Bridget, Ana is sick. She says she didn't call you an idiot and I believe her. I'd appreciate it if you would not call and upset her since she is sick. If you are truly Ana's friend you will not believe what other people tell you.
I said all this very nicely. Bridget hung up and so did I.
Now I wonder if I should have let Ana handle that herself or did my setting the example of not accepting unacceptable behavior was the right thing to do. They are all still children and need to learn to do these things themselves. But since they are children, I feel sometimes they need some adult intervention.
Add to that the fact that I, myself, wasn't up for yet another upsetting situation at the time. I was still processing the info on Shandi, worrying about Ana not getting any better, and worrying about my step-grandson, Garrett who was picked up from school running high fever and he just finished up a run of antibiotic.
So weigh in ladies--help me out here because this isn't the first time this little girl has called repeatedly and upset Ana. It is the first time I have intervened and took care of the situation.
Yesterday evening after school her 'best' friend Cheyenne called to ask/tell her that her other friend, Bridget was mad at her because another girl, Tori, had told Bridget that Ana had called Bridget an idiot. Ana told Cheyenne she didn't say that. After they hung up Ana explained to us that Tori had always treated her this way, and that Tori said come Monday she would twist Ana's head off.
It wasn't but a few minutes that Bridget called. Bridget was accusing Ana of calling her an idiot and I heard Ana re-affirm that she didn't say such a thing, then she started crying.
At that point I took the phone from Ana and said to Bridget: Bridget, Ana is sick. She says she didn't call you an idiot and I believe her. I'd appreciate it if you would not call and upset her since she is sick. If you are truly Ana's friend you will not believe what other people tell you.
I said all this very nicely. Bridget hung up and so did I.
Now I wonder if I should have let Ana handle that herself or did my setting the example of not accepting unacceptable behavior was the right thing to do. They are all still children and need to learn to do these things themselves. But since they are children, I feel sometimes they need some adult intervention.
Add to that the fact that I, myself, wasn't up for yet another upsetting situation at the time. I was still processing the info on Shandi, worrying about Ana not getting any better, and worrying about my step-grandson, Garrett who was picked up from school running high fever and he just finished up a run of antibiotic.
So weigh in ladies--help me out here because this isn't the first time this little girl has called repeatedly and upset Ana. It is the first time I have intervened and took care of the situation.
Friday, August 28, 2009
acid reflux and migraines
I guess I've been processing the latest news on Shan. It just blew me away when he said what he did.
We took her because she's complained frequently about her stomach feeling like she was going to throw up and burping and it burning her throat. Sounded like acid reflux to me and since she takes the ADHD meds, I wasn't sure exactly what would work well with that medication.
She wasn't in a good mood this evening, she's felt bad all week. There was nothing specific, just not feeling well most days. I feel some of it is pressure from school.
He asked her what was wrong and she said she didn't feel good. When he wanted to know where she felt bad, she said her head hurt.
He then asked if it hurt often and I told him that out of 7 days, there probably aren't 2 days she doesn't complain with headache. What did I do for them? I give her Ibuprofen and let her lay down if possible. I explained that last year at school the teachers said she always complained after the reading class. We thought for a while it might be a way she thought she could get out of reading, but when she had to continue reading and still complained with headaches, we deduced that wasn't the case. She has glasses and wears them.
As he wrote in her file, he said what I wasn't sure was-it is or is not migraines. I asked him to repeat what he said and he says, "I think she's having migraines."
Ok, I said, in a shocked tone of voice.
He then says it's common in children.
I looked it up on the internet and it is. Stress, noise, foods, smells, all the normal things that cause migraines in adults, cause them in children.
I have to print out a calendar and track the number of headaches she has until we go back in October. Then we'll go from there. I'm going to try to get her to describe the pain. He said give her something for the pain, place a cool rag on her head and let her lie down in a quiet, darkened room until it eased. Same as for adults.
I just keep thinking that the older she gets, the more medical problems crop up. The child has a load to deal with as is, and I simply want to cry for her. She is usually such a little trooper and sometimes I wonder how fair is this; but then I have, and I mean I HAVE to tell myself that God is in control and God knows best, and He is Shandi's God the same as He is my God.
Thanks for listening to me cry about my baby. I know it could be far worse. She could have a disease that could kill her in 2 months; she could be deformed, she could be much worse off than she is. I am very grateful that she isn't all those things and that she is just the way she is in comparison to what could be. But I still hurt for her and I know there is a reason even for that. I know that through all of this God is showing me a lot of things, and He has a lot more to show me. I just need to trust in that process.
We took her because she's complained frequently about her stomach feeling like she was going to throw up and burping and it burning her throat. Sounded like acid reflux to me and since she takes the ADHD meds, I wasn't sure exactly what would work well with that medication.
She wasn't in a good mood this evening, she's felt bad all week. There was nothing specific, just not feeling well most days. I feel some of it is pressure from school.
He asked her what was wrong and she said she didn't feel good. When he wanted to know where she felt bad, she said her head hurt.
He then asked if it hurt often and I told him that out of 7 days, there probably aren't 2 days she doesn't complain with headache. What did I do for them? I give her Ibuprofen and let her lay down if possible. I explained that last year at school the teachers said she always complained after the reading class. We thought for a while it might be a way she thought she could get out of reading, but when she had to continue reading and still complained with headaches, we deduced that wasn't the case. She has glasses and wears them.
As he wrote in her file, he said what I wasn't sure was-it is or is not migraines. I asked him to repeat what he said and he says, "I think she's having migraines."
Ok, I said, in a shocked tone of voice.
He then says it's common in children.
I looked it up on the internet and it is. Stress, noise, foods, smells, all the normal things that cause migraines in adults, cause them in children.
I have to print out a calendar and track the number of headaches she has until we go back in October. Then we'll go from there. I'm going to try to get her to describe the pain. He said give her something for the pain, place a cool rag on her head and let her lie down in a quiet, darkened room until it eased. Same as for adults.
I just keep thinking that the older she gets, the more medical problems crop up. The child has a load to deal with as is, and I simply want to cry for her. She is usually such a little trooper and sometimes I wonder how fair is this; but then I have, and I mean I HAVE to tell myself that God is in control and God knows best, and He is Shandi's God the same as He is my God.
Thanks for listening to me cry about my baby. I know it could be far worse. She could have a disease that could kill her in 2 months; she could be deformed, she could be much worse off than she is. I am very grateful that she isn't all those things and that she is just the way she is in comparison to what could be. But I still hurt for her and I know there is a reason even for that. I know that through all of this God is showing me a lot of things, and He has a lot more to show me. I just need to trust in that process.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Note from teacher
August 26, 2009
I wrote Ms. Patricia a note which stated: I may have to come in for lessons on how you want homework corrections done. I’m not sure I understand what you want us to do. They appear to be already corrected when I look at them. I go over as many of them as I can with her, but given we spend 2 hours alone on homework each evening, and Wednesday is prayer meeting night, our time is limited.
August 27,2009
She wrote back:
Ms. Klara, You do more to ensure Shandi’s success than any family I know. If you ever feel you want to keep her papers an extra night, that is fine with me. Only go over as many as it takes to help her understand why she missed that kind of questions. She deserves play time. She is a very hard working young lady.
P. Boyd
August 27, 2009
Ms. Patricia,
Thank you for that vote of confidence. I do work with her a lot each evening. I realize that your day if full, but I also know if I don’t know things I can’t work with her or share with her mother what is going on. Shandi tells me most everything, but some evenings I am not really clear on exactly what happened due to her inability to always express herself clearly.
Today she was telling me about a problem with Kallie. She said she didn’t want to play with Kallie, she wanted to play with Brittany and it upset Kallie. I can understand that and I want for Shandi to learn to be nice to other children; so what I’m asking is if there is a significant problem going on at school due to Shandi’s inability to interact properly with other children, I need to know about it.
I am very aware from past experiences, that if we don’t monitor her progress carefully, help her in every way we know possible and teach her properly, she will end up being a statistic: drugs, alcohol, school drop out or worse, suicide. I also know I can’t solve her problems, but I can certainly do whatever I can to give her the love, support and guidance she needs and I believe the school will do all they can also.
I’m very grateful she has you for a teacher and I believe that is God’s answer to prayers. With all her problems, I have prayed each year that she get the teacher meant for her for that year. Don’t ever hesitate to let me know how I can further help Shandi.
Thank you
I wrote Ms. Patricia a note which stated: I may have to come in for lessons on how you want homework corrections done. I’m not sure I understand what you want us to do. They appear to be already corrected when I look at them. I go over as many of them as I can with her, but given we spend 2 hours alone on homework each evening, and Wednesday is prayer meeting night, our time is limited.
August 27,2009
She wrote back:
Ms. Klara, You do more to ensure Shandi’s success than any family I know. If you ever feel you want to keep her papers an extra night, that is fine with me. Only go over as many as it takes to help her understand why she missed that kind of questions. She deserves play time. She is a very hard working young lady.
P. Boyd
August 27, 2009
Ms. Patricia,
Thank you for that vote of confidence. I do work with her a lot each evening. I realize that your day if full, but I also know if I don’t know things I can’t work with her or share with her mother what is going on. Shandi tells me most everything, but some evenings I am not really clear on exactly what happened due to her inability to always express herself clearly.
Today she was telling me about a problem with Kallie. She said she didn’t want to play with Kallie, she wanted to play with Brittany and it upset Kallie. I can understand that and I want for Shandi to learn to be nice to other children; so what I’m asking is if there is a significant problem going on at school due to Shandi’s inability to interact properly with other children, I need to know about it.
I am very aware from past experiences, that if we don’t monitor her progress carefully, help her in every way we know possible and teach her properly, she will end up being a statistic: drugs, alcohol, school drop out or worse, suicide. I also know I can’t solve her problems, but I can certainly do whatever I can to give her the love, support and guidance she needs and I believe the school will do all they can also.
I’m very grateful she has you for a teacher and I believe that is God’s answer to prayers. With all her problems, I have prayed each year that she get the teacher meant for her for that year. Don’t ever hesitate to let me know how I can further help Shandi.
Thank you
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Shandi's Story and progress report
As written:
I hev a pul and we got in it and I had a flude and I got on it and I got aot and I win sid and we woch a move and we go pogorn and I wit to gow a bath and win I get iat the bath and we wit to bed and in the muren we wit at momos haws and we et brdis and thin we with to the gren hos and I got me a greg and thin we wint bak taw the has and we woch a move and I was in ma rum and I plad a gam with ma sistr and I wit to gow to bed and ma mom wit to bed and thin ma sistr wit to bed and in the muren and we wit in the livrum.
Of course punctuation is out of the question for lots of lids her age. I realize that, And like the email that circulates, we can figure out a lot of these words simply because they have a few of the right letters in them.
Her story is and I will punctuate it:
I have a pool. We got in it and I had a floatie. I got on it and got hot. I went inside and we watched a movie. We got popcorn (I couldn't figure that one out for the longest. I went to get a bath and when I got out of the bath we went to bed. In the morning we went at momo's house and we ate breakfast. Then we went to the greenhouse and got me a (drink)??? Then we went back to the house and we watched a movie. I was in mom's room and I played a game with my sister. I went to go to bed, my mom went to bed and then my siter went to bed. In the morning we went in the living room.
The funny thing is this story was supposed to be My favorite Fairy Tale, yet it's her life. The page that was written on had 10 sentences to find the spelling errors in and she made an F on that part. She got none of them correct.
The other story fits the topic, I remember a time I couldn't sleep. She tells about staying up at night to take care of the kitten they raised on a bottle. Kitten was spelled kin and I thought I'd never figure that out until I asked her about it. She had spelling to check on that one too and made 30 on it. She took an open book test on the story they read last week and made 53 on it even though she read the story several times, she wrote down the answers to the questions and we studied it on Thursday nite before the test.
She did have a paper that were reading comprehension questions that she had an 80 on. Her math grades range from 90 to a 38. she has an average of 88 in math, 82 in reading and 30 in English.
I hev a pul and we got in it and I had a flude and I got on it and I got aot and I win sid and we woch a move and we go pogorn and I wit to gow a bath and win I get iat the bath and we wit to bed and in the muren we wit at momos haws and we et brdis and thin we with to the gren hos and I got me a greg and thin we wint bak taw the has and we woch a move and I was in ma rum and I plad a gam with ma sistr and I wit to gow to bed and ma mom wit to bed and thin ma sistr wit to bed and in the muren and we wit in the livrum.
Of course punctuation is out of the question for lots of lids her age. I realize that, And like the email that circulates, we can figure out a lot of these words simply because they have a few of the right letters in them.
Her story is and I will punctuate it:
I have a pool. We got in it and I had a floatie. I got on it and got hot. I went inside and we watched a movie. We got popcorn (I couldn't figure that one out for the longest. I went to get a bath and when I got out of the bath we went to bed. In the morning we went at momo's house and we ate breakfast. Then we went to the greenhouse and got me a (drink)??? Then we went back to the house and we watched a movie. I was in mom's room and I played a game with my sister. I went to go to bed, my mom went to bed and then my siter went to bed. In the morning we went in the living room.
The funny thing is this story was supposed to be My favorite Fairy Tale, yet it's her life. The page that was written on had 10 sentences to find the spelling errors in and she made an F on that part. She got none of them correct.
The other story fits the topic, I remember a time I couldn't sleep. She tells about staying up at night to take care of the kitten they raised on a bottle. Kitten was spelled kin and I thought I'd never figure that out until I asked her about it. She had spelling to check on that one too and made 30 on it. She took an open book test on the story they read last week and made 53 on it even though she read the story several times, she wrote down the answers to the questions and we studied it on Thursday nite before the test.
She did have a paper that were reading comprehension questions that she had an 80 on. Her math grades range from 90 to a 38. she has an average of 88 in math, 82 in reading and 30 in English.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wasp stings
This morning I stepped outside with my coffee--Ana was down here already and said that Shandi had to go back in the house to take a pill bottle back. Ana had her medicine and Shandi thought she didn't have any pills down here, and had picked up Stacie's bottle of meds, so she went back in their house to put it up. Anyway, I stepped outside and heard this awful noise. I listened again, thinking what in the world is that. I finally deduced it was a youngun screaming. I ran in, asked Ana if Shandi had made it down and she said no. I ran out again this time on the patio so I could see up the hill to Stacies and I saw Shan standing in the front yard screaming her head off. All I could think of was a snake or a bad dog or wild animal was there although I couldn't see anything but Shan and the cats. I took off running up the hill and hollering asking her what was wrong. She would yell back what SOUNDED like "I watched TV" , so I'm thinking, did she think she was late for the bus? I asked again and she said what sounded like the same thing, so I think, maybe she said a rock in the tv and I thought, Oh no, she threw a rock into Stacie's tv and broke it. (She is prone to total meltdowns when she becomes frustrated) So I'm running as best I can, with COPD that isn't easy, and finally I get to her. What happened now, hon, I asked her. A wasp stung me.
OMG--I thought, what if she's allergic, at least it isn't a rock in Stacie's tv who can't afford to replace it right now, let me see how bad this is. Sure enough, something stung her on the back of the leg. I brought her on down and put some bleach on it, found some tobacco from a cig butt and wet it and put it on there. Tobacco is great for pulling the poison from a sting like that. She finally calmed down and got ok although when she walked out to the bus she was limping like her leg would fall off. It hadn't started swelling bad so I think she'll be ok.
OMG--I thought, what if she's allergic, at least it isn't a rock in Stacie's tv who can't afford to replace it right now, let me see how bad this is. Sure enough, something stung her on the back of the leg. I brought her on down and put some bleach on it, found some tobacco from a cig butt and wet it and put it on there. Tobacco is great for pulling the poison from a sting like that. She finally calmed down and got ok although when she walked out to the bus she was limping like her leg would fall off. It hadn't started swelling bad so I think she'll be ok.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Testing and Open House
Monday, August 24, 2009
Stacie and I met with Mr. Boyd, principal of Salem School where Shandi Rogers attends 3rd grade. Shandi’s disability case worker, Sue Cannimore suggested that we meet with the principal and enquire about the testing date for Shandi to receive special services for her learning disability.
Mr. Boyd had not heard anything from the SPED department concerning any testing date for Shandi.
He called Mr. Danny McCallum, Supt. Of Ed. For the Walthall School District and handed me the phone. I asked Mr. McCallum if he knew when the date was set for Shandi’s testing because there are permission papers to be signed by the parent before testing can begin. He had no knowledge of this testing but did assure me he would call the SPED department and speak with Ms. Cherry Smith to try and determine what the date would be. He assured me someone would be in touch with me shortly.
While at school I spoke with Shandi’s 1st grade teacher, Allison Stringer. The paperwork from Shandi’s 17 week evaluation which was done the last weeks of her first grade could not be found at the TST meeting held on August 27, 2008 at Salem School. Even though I called the State Dept. of Ed and complained and they at least went far enough to not make Shandi go through another 17 weeks of evaluation, her original work was never located. Apparently Pearline Downs lost it. They found ‘some’ paperwork but it was not the full original folder. I believe this hindered Shandi from getting the help she needed during the 2nd grade school year.
I also spoke with Ms. String and Shandi’s 2nd grade teacher concerning forming a network of support for concerned relatives of children with learning disabilities. They were very encouraging and felt that such a group would be very beneficial.
8:59 8/24/09
Mr. McCallum, Superintendent of Education for Walthall School District called. He had spoken with Ms. Cherry Smith, Director of SPED and Shandi’s testing date is set for Wednesday, August 26,2009. A Pevey will be doing the testing. We are to call Cherry Smith to determine if this test will be at Salem School or at the SPED department , what time and about signing the permission slip.
Stacie called SPED, then went to sign updated permission form for the testing. A Bro. Pevey, a pastor and child psychologist will perform the testing. It will be done either tomorrow, Tuesday, 8/25/09 or Wednesday, 8/26/09. The testing will include an achievement test and an ability test, according to Mrs. Etheridge, Case Manager in SPED.
I also called Salem School and informed them of the testing set for Shandi.
It turned out really good. I handed out about 11 flyers to various teachers and all were receptive. One, Karen Rushing was really excited. I knew Shandi's former teachers would be and even her teacher this year was open to the idea; so that was a God thing to print those up.
Shandi's grades in math were good, except for some reading problems. Her reading however wasn't. We didnt' expect it to be. Patricia showed us one paper where they had to write their own story. Most of it look liked random letters written down in word form, (I'll copy it for you when the papers come home tomorrow so you can see what I mean) She had made a 45 of that paper. Patricia says, "See her beautiful story? She knows every word in it even though you may not can read it, she can. She writes wonderful stories."
Honestly, Patricia must have had Shandi read it to her in order for her to know that.
She has put a little girl with Shandi to help her with her reading and patricia thinks that will help Shandi a lot.
Then we talked with Ana's teachers. Ana got her MCT2 test results and is proficient in all subjects. She aced the algebra part of it, getting 7 points out of a possible 7 points. Grammar is her worst area so we're going to start working on that.
We also talked with the counselor, Mr. Fortenberry. We explained to him the situation with Shandi, yet again. I spoke with him concerning her twice last year. One time he made the remark that if he had known about her he would have already done some checking on getting her tested verbally. I informed him that i did speak with him last year about her. He's going to look up her file tomorrow and do some checking. If he doesn't forget.
All in all it was an enjoyable time. I think the only negative part of the night was when I walked in Jocile Martin's class. She was Jocile Boyd back when we went to school and was never an outgoing type. She has only gotten worse and more bitter acting as she aged. She took one of the flyers, but she acted as though I was handing her a cobra. LOL I didn't get to see Lisa Wicker, the pastor of Salem's wife, who is one of the kindergarten teachers, but I'll catch her later.
Stacie and I met with Mr. Boyd, principal of Salem School where Shandi Rogers attends 3rd grade. Shandi’s disability case worker, Sue Cannimore suggested that we meet with the principal and enquire about the testing date for Shandi to receive special services for her learning disability.
Mr. Boyd had not heard anything from the SPED department concerning any testing date for Shandi.
He called Mr. Danny McCallum, Supt. Of Ed. For the Walthall School District and handed me the phone. I asked Mr. McCallum if he knew when the date was set for Shandi’s testing because there are permission papers to be signed by the parent before testing can begin. He had no knowledge of this testing but did assure me he would call the SPED department and speak with Ms. Cherry Smith to try and determine what the date would be. He assured me someone would be in touch with me shortly.
While at school I spoke with Shandi’s 1st grade teacher, Allison Stringer. The paperwork from Shandi’s 17 week evaluation which was done the last weeks of her first grade could not be found at the TST meeting held on August 27, 2008 at Salem School. Even though I called the State Dept. of Ed and complained and they at least went far enough to not make Shandi go through another 17 weeks of evaluation, her original work was never located. Apparently Pearline Downs lost it. They found ‘some’ paperwork but it was not the full original folder. I believe this hindered Shandi from getting the help she needed during the 2nd grade school year.
I also spoke with Ms. String and Shandi’s 2nd grade teacher concerning forming a network of support for concerned relatives of children with learning disabilities. They were very encouraging and felt that such a group would be very beneficial.
8:59 8/24/09
Mr. McCallum, Superintendent of Education for Walthall School District called. He had spoken with Ms. Cherry Smith, Director of SPED and Shandi’s testing date is set for Wednesday, August 26,2009. A Pevey will be doing the testing. We are to call Cherry Smith to determine if this test will be at Salem School or at the SPED department , what time and about signing the permission slip.
Stacie called SPED, then went to sign updated permission form for the testing. A Bro. Pevey, a pastor and child psychologist will perform the testing. It will be done either tomorrow, Tuesday, 8/25/09 or Wednesday, 8/26/09. The testing will include an achievement test and an ability test, according to Mrs. Etheridge, Case Manager in SPED.
I also called Salem School and informed them of the testing set for Shandi.
It turned out really good. I handed out about 11 flyers to various teachers and all were receptive. One, Karen Rushing was really excited. I knew Shandi's former teachers would be and even her teacher this year was open to the idea; so that was a God thing to print those up.
Shandi's grades in math were good, except for some reading problems. Her reading however wasn't. We didnt' expect it to be. Patricia showed us one paper where they had to write their own story. Most of it look liked random letters written down in word form, (I'll copy it for you when the papers come home tomorrow so you can see what I mean) She had made a 45 of that paper. Patricia says, "See her beautiful story? She knows every word in it even though you may not can read it, she can. She writes wonderful stories."
Honestly, Patricia must have had Shandi read it to her in order for her to know that.
She has put a little girl with Shandi to help her with her reading and patricia thinks that will help Shandi a lot.
Then we talked with Ana's teachers. Ana got her MCT2 test results and is proficient in all subjects. She aced the algebra part of it, getting 7 points out of a possible 7 points. Grammar is her worst area so we're going to start working on that.
We also talked with the counselor, Mr. Fortenberry. We explained to him the situation with Shandi, yet again. I spoke with him concerning her twice last year. One time he made the remark that if he had known about her he would have already done some checking on getting her tested verbally. I informed him that i did speak with him last year about her. He's going to look up her file tomorrow and do some checking. If he doesn't forget.
All in all it was an enjoyable time. I think the only negative part of the night was when I walked in Jocile Martin's class. She was Jocile Boyd back when we went to school and was never an outgoing type. She has only gotten worse and more bitter acting as she aged. She took one of the flyers, but she acted as though I was handing her a cobra. LOL I didn't get to see Lisa Wicker, the pastor of Salem's wife, who is one of the kindergarten teachers, but I'll catch her later.
Friday, August 21, 2009
More on F you
Received this from son last night after our phone conversation
look here tried to ask u for help ........... i dont do that shit any more and u want to be like that to me well fuck u then , u are not my mom , i must been adopted then well heres news 4 u when u die ill piss on ur grave 4 u untill then fuck off
look here tried to ask u for help ........... i dont do that shit any more and u want to be like that to me well fuck u then , u are not my mom , i must been adopted then well heres news 4 u when u die ill piss on ur grave 4 u untill then fuck off
Thursday, August 20, 2009
F you
I have spent the past 3 hours reading about getting a child help in school. There is so much information out there and sometimes I feel my brain is so small.
It is 9:50 and I just received a phone call from Robby.
It was short, but it wasn't sweet.
He said he needed a place to stay because some crack heads had moved in next door and he'd been sitting there watching them smoke crack and was beginning to want to smoke crack. He said he couldn't stay there.
I said, I'm sorry, but you can't stay here either.
He said, F*** you and hung up.
As a mother, a southern mother no less and as a Christian, the natural instinct is to help anyone who needs helps, most of all your own child. I do not want him to smoke crack. However, his staying here would not prevent him from smoking crack because when he was here the last time, he smoked the stuff. If he does not want to be tempted, he should not sit there and watch them smoke. He is responsible for his own actions. I am not responsible for them or for providing him a place to stay.
You are a smart woman and I'm sure you've figured out that I am simply affirming to myself that I did what was right and that I am not a mean, hateful person for saying no to a temped drug addict.
Terry is asleep so I could not share this with him, so you're the lucky person tonight.
It is 9:50 and I just received a phone call from Robby.
It was short, but it wasn't sweet.
He said he needed a place to stay because some crack heads had moved in next door and he'd been sitting there watching them smoke crack and was beginning to want to smoke crack. He said he couldn't stay there.
I said, I'm sorry, but you can't stay here either.
He said, F*** you and hung up.
As a mother, a southern mother no less and as a Christian, the natural instinct is to help anyone who needs helps, most of all your own child. I do not want him to smoke crack. However, his staying here would not prevent him from smoking crack because when he was here the last time, he smoked the stuff. If he does not want to be tempted, he should not sit there and watch them smoke. He is responsible for his own actions. I am not responsible for them or for providing him a place to stay.
You are a smart woman and I'm sure you've figured out that I am simply affirming to myself that I did what was right and that I am not a mean, hateful person for saying no to a temped drug addict.
Terry is asleep so I could not share this with him, so you're the lucky person tonight.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Anniversary Trip
We left Wednesday nite after prayer meeting. We wanted to be there because we were deciding whether to begin having a light fellowship pot luck meal before prayer meeting. We wanted to express our approval of that idea.
I hadn't slept much Tuesday nite, so I took a pillow, expecting to become sleepy on the way down. I made it about 2 hours into the trip, but rather than reach back and get my pillow I leaned my head back and practiced *do it yourself whip lash* the remaining 30-45 minutes of the trip. Ya know, where you drop off to sleep and your head tries to roll off the seat back so you jerk it upright only to repeat the movement in the opposite direction in 5 minutes. When you are jerking from side to side, you're slinging it into an upright position.
We got to mothers and I walked in, shucked my blouse and capris and fell into bed and slept until 7 this next morning.
The rest of the time on the coast was spent trying to out wit the hot flashes, the heat of the weather and wondering why some people have to have their AC set for freezer burn.
Mother looks good, although I noticed a subdued tone and look about her. She's always been such a bossy, get it done, opinionated woman. Being thrown flat of her back with no assurance that this situation will change seems to have defeated her to some degree. It was sad for me to see this.
We shopped all evening but didn't buy much; just looked and browsed and enjoyed being away. We ate supper at the Beau Rivage and I ate my fair share of snow crab legs and fried shrimp.
Today we got up, visited with Judy and Robert, then came as far as Hattisburg where we met Brenda for lunch. She was on her way to spend her weekend on the coast with mother. We visited with our nursery friends, ran by the hospital to see another nursery friend who had hip replacement surgery yesterday, then headed home.
We hadn't been home but an hour tops when Brenda called. She had been involved in a 4 car wreck. In fact there were about 3 or 4 wrecks all due to the same idiot, but each set of vehicles was separated out into specific incidents. Seems some fool decided to stop in the middle of their lane on the interstate due to heavy rain. The car ahead of Brenda had to slam on brakes and skidded into the stopped car, Brenda did the same as did the car behind her. This repeated itself a few more times for the several wrecks.
Brenda had nothing broken, but it probably totaled her car out.
I hadn't slept much Tuesday nite, so I took a pillow, expecting to become sleepy on the way down. I made it about 2 hours into the trip, but rather than reach back and get my pillow I leaned my head back and practiced *do it yourself whip lash* the remaining 30-45 minutes of the trip. Ya know, where you drop off to sleep and your head tries to roll off the seat back so you jerk it upright only to repeat the movement in the opposite direction in 5 minutes. When you are jerking from side to side, you're slinging it into an upright position.
We got to mothers and I walked in, shucked my blouse and capris and fell into bed and slept until 7 this next morning.
The rest of the time on the coast was spent trying to out wit the hot flashes, the heat of the weather and wondering why some people have to have their AC set for freezer burn.
Mother looks good, although I noticed a subdued tone and look about her. She's always been such a bossy, get it done, opinionated woman. Being thrown flat of her back with no assurance that this situation will change seems to have defeated her to some degree. It was sad for me to see this.
We shopped all evening but didn't buy much; just looked and browsed and enjoyed being away. We ate supper at the Beau Rivage and I ate my fair share of snow crab legs and fried shrimp.
Today we got up, visited with Judy and Robert, then came as far as Hattisburg where we met Brenda for lunch. She was on her way to spend her weekend on the coast with mother. We visited with our nursery friends, ran by the hospital to see another nursery friend who had hip replacement surgery yesterday, then headed home.
We hadn't been home but an hour tops when Brenda called. She had been involved in a 4 car wreck. In fact there were about 3 or 4 wrecks all due to the same idiot, but each set of vehicles was separated out into specific incidents. Seems some fool decided to stop in the middle of their lane on the interstate due to heavy rain. The car ahead of Brenda had to slam on brakes and skidded into the stopped car, Brenda did the same as did the car behind her. This repeated itself a few more times for the several wrecks.
Brenda had nothing broken, but it probably totaled her car out.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Children's advocate
What a day! First, Hugh came by to ask about what happened in prayer meeting. We discussed the church situation at length.
Then Pearline Carr-Downs came by. She is Ana’s teacher for homeroom and English, I think. She is also the TSP-(Teacher Support Person) who is the one who sees that paper work is filled out for children with special needs. She has a nephew who is being left behind like Shan and she heard, from Shan’s last year teacher, I’m sure, that I had a number to the Advocacy Services. She wanted the number because she was fed up with being given the run-around by our director of SPED, the Superintendent of Education and every one in between. I gave it to her, the name of the person she needed to speak with and got her email so I can email her some links I have found to be helpful for informational purposes. She encouraged me to hang onto every piece of information I have, keep digging, keep pushing, keep learning because they all might need her.
Seems I’ve gained a reputation as being a fighter for the rights of the children. Seems I’ve gained a couple more supporters—this lady and her sister, the mother of the child who is being left behind. I’m excited for more reasons than just that I have someone on my side. I’m excited because it shows clearly that the problems with children getting help or not getting help isn’t racially based. Shan is white, the lady and her nephew are black. I never thought it was, myself, but I have had several people to remark in that direction. I believe this proves that theory wrong. Another reason I am excited is that I believe all of us need a cause—something to push for, something to believe, something to be passionate about, something that not only gives one a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, but also enhances the life of others. Who better to have their lives enhanced than our children?
Then Pearline Carr-Downs came by. She is Ana’s teacher for homeroom and English, I think. She is also the TSP-(Teacher Support Person) who is the one who sees that paper work is filled out for children with special needs. She has a nephew who is being left behind like Shan and she heard, from Shan’s last year teacher, I’m sure, that I had a number to the Advocacy Services. She wanted the number because she was fed up with being given the run-around by our director of SPED, the Superintendent of Education and every one in between. I gave it to her, the name of the person she needed to speak with and got her email so I can email her some links I have found to be helpful for informational purposes. She encouraged me to hang onto every piece of information I have, keep digging, keep pushing, keep learning because they all might need her.
Seems I’ve gained a reputation as being a fighter for the rights of the children. Seems I’ve gained a couple more supporters—this lady and her sister, the mother of the child who is being left behind. I’m excited for more reasons than just that I have someone on my side. I’m excited because it shows clearly that the problems with children getting help or not getting help isn’t racially based. Shan is white, the lady and her nephew are black. I never thought it was, myself, but I have had several people to remark in that direction. I believe this proves that theory wrong. Another reason I am excited is that I believe all of us need a cause—something to push for, something to believe, something to be passionate about, something that not only gives one a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, but also enhances the life of others. Who better to have their lives enhanced than our children?
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Stoves and Poinsettias
A church friend is selling a brand new stove, a Whirlpool, never been used, she paid 600.00 for it and she’s selling it for 200.00. I’m buying it because ours has been a pain in the butt ever since we got it. Terry was ready to go get that stove this morning, but I told him they were busy with a yard sale and it could wait. I knew it probably wouldn't be a problem, but I also knew if he went and got it, the poinsettias wouldn't get planted and that needed doing first.
He filled the rest of the pots, I watered most all the fern house before he was done, then he helped finish it. We planted the babies. Planting poinsettias is more than just filling pots and sticking them in the dirt. The bottom larger leaves have to pinched off because that is where white fly larvae live, and just to add another layer to white fly prevention, you pinch those off and discard them. Then we plant, then we put a tsp of slow release fertilizer, then sprinkle them with disyston, which helps prevent whiteflies. Later on, around Nov, I'll give them a 1/2 tsp of marathon which should finish them off white fly free. My index finger is sore from pinching leaves, until finally I thought to grab my scissors and cut them off. *duh*
Then we ate lunch and watered the plantation. We had some time after watering so I started cleaning up on the outside by the fern house. I call it the west side because it's the west side of the biz. Then the weather got bad so I came home.
I've sat on my hiney and done nothing since then. I need to be working on the website, putting up the fall bedding, but I can't with the girls here interrupting me.
He filled the rest of the pots, I watered most all the fern house before he was done, then he helped finish it. We planted the babies. Planting poinsettias is more than just filling pots and sticking them in the dirt. The bottom larger leaves have to pinched off because that is where white fly larvae live, and just to add another layer to white fly prevention, you pinch those off and discard them. Then we plant, then we put a tsp of slow release fertilizer, then sprinkle them with disyston, which helps prevent whiteflies. Later on, around Nov, I'll give them a 1/2 tsp of marathon which should finish them off white fly free. My index finger is sore from pinching leaves, until finally I thought to grab my scissors and cut them off. *duh*
Then we ate lunch and watered the plantation. We had some time after watering so I started cleaning up on the outside by the fern house. I call it the west side because it's the west side of the biz. Then the weather got bad so I came home.
I've sat on my hiney and done nothing since then. I need to be working on the website, putting up the fall bedding, but I can't with the girls here interrupting me.
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