Supermommy to the Rescue!!!
February 6, 2006
UP, UP, and AWAAAAAAY!!!!
hee.
So, I had my meeting on Friday.
Fortunately, the day before, I had my first allergy shot that encompasses all my allergy issues. Actually, I had two shots, one more than I would have preferred, truth be told.
Oh. My. God. The pain. The itching. The swelling. MAKE. IT. STOP.
(and that was only in the first five minutes)
You have to stay there for half an hour after the shot is administered, and they like to see your epi-pen, you know, just in case. So I showed them I did, in fact, have one; and that gained me entry into the inner sanctum where the shots are given. I had a little trouble breathing afterwards, but not enough to break out the epi.
Yep. REALLY looking forward to this week’s shot, soon on the heels of my gallbladder surgery. (On the good side, I will be chauffeur driven by none other than my brother.) It’ll be like old times, right bro? ‘Cept I won’t be waking you up at the crack of dawn to take me to school…
…my kids will.
Ah, the circle of life continues.
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Anyhoo, back to the meeting on Friday for M. Got there early, had small talk with the Autism Staffing Specialist whom I like. Thought this meeting was supposed to be bigger than it was, since the OT (Occupational Therapist) said she had invited the ESE Guidance Counselor. This usually means big things and we could be making changes to his IEP. M’s teacher wasn’t there, and the old OT wasn’t there either. The new one was, and we got off to a rolling start.
Let me preface this by saying two things. First, I’m not really a bitch. I can play a great one when I have to, or when I’m backed into a corner. I’m actually a very nice person. Sadly, the new OT doesn’t think I’m very nice. At all. Second, M hates Social Stories. Especially ones that deal with fire drills. M would prefer if fire alarms had a nice soothing tone to them, instead of the piercing wail that they are. He would also prefer that schools never had fire drills. Ever. So with all of that in mind, I give you:
Me, sitting at a long table with the OT at the other end, the ESE Coordinator to my left a seat length or two away; the Staffing specialist on my right about the same distance as the ESE Coordinator is from me; and next to her on her right is the ESE Guidance Councelor. Quite a group.
Me, listening as the OT introduces herself and apologizes that the old one isn’t there. Then she asks me if I have any concerns. Do I have concerns? Maybe….
So I launch into how I don’t want any social stories done with M for any reason. Period. That the fire drill issue has been addressed to the best of it’s ability, and we need to move on. However, if she feels inclined to, say, help him utilize the Alpha Smart keyboard the school has procured for him but he has yet to use, that would be great, please and thank you. (side note: his teacher told me it was not working, she had tried to set it up.)
She then explains she’s only there to monitor him, and that he would need to be removed from class to do this task; and we’d have to take him off monitoring to do it. Wha?
Let me get this straight. You’re only supposed to be in there monitoring (def: scrutinizing and checking systematically with a view to collecting data) him, yet you have time to freak him out over a fire drill social story but that same time you don’t have time to teach him something useful? Did I miss something? …Bueller?
Can you hear the screaming from where you are sitting? That would be me.
So I commence gripping the table ’til my hands turn white and the staffing specialist turns to the OT and pretty much rushes her out of the room.
I’m losing my shit people. Not pretty.
RDCV: (Reader’s Digest Condensed Version; this has been in my edit tray since 2/6, it’s now 2/13!)
Meeting (I thought) went well. They agreed to bring back an aide for M, and to have the ESE person pop in to check on M; oh and pretty please get those report things to the teacher on time, will ya? This was all done without M’s teacher present, and I have to say at the time I was surprised she wasn’t there.
Monday before surgery, my phone rings and it’s M’s teacher, rather upset because the ESE Coordinator has given M’s teacher a bullet point list of all the things I said she (the teacher) “should be doing”, and that she needs to do them.
I don’t remember saying that at all. I DO remember saying things like “M’s teacher does more for M than she should have to, that an aide would be good in helping her out”; and “M’s teacher goes above and beyond for him, and I’m really grateful we have her.” I also remember saying the ESE chica should be “doing” some things, not just passing the buck.
Sadly, that’s exactly what she did. And blamed it on me.
Like I’m gonna let that slide.
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2/13/06
Surgery went well. Chest hurts still but each day I’m feeling stronger. Hoping to get back into swing of things this week. M went to his first school dance. Will put pictures up later this week.
Everything else? To quote Ms. Spears from last week’s carseat-gate: “It is what it is”.
Laters.
