Thursday, June 28, 2012

Regular Kids

Masha is going to summer day camp for two weeks. And while her session is for kids with special needs, she does have to ride the big school bus there and back, and I was chastised by someone fairly high up in on school district’s special education committee as she insisted that I must have been “quite forceful” with the camp administrator to get her in because after all, ordinary kid things are “a danger to Masha”.

My two sons are also attending adventure camp and so they can watch out for Masha on the bus. (Although I am not sure how well this is working out since they both announced on their way down the bus steps today that, “Masha really needs a spanking. She was so naughty on the bus.” The bus driver sheepishly confirmed that yes, Masha was standing up on the seat. Ugh.)

Because it was insinuated that Masha is not “high-functioning” enough for this camp, I was very curious about the other kids in the special needs section. What needs do they have and what makes them special? I decided to tactfully get this information from my older son. Below is our conversation.

I started, “Soooo, Gecko, when you see Masha get off and on the bus for her camp, do you see the other kids too?”
“Yeah, they are there too.”
“Are there a lot of kids with her?” I continue.
“I don’t see her whole group. There are like ten kids with her though, not counting Masha.”
“hmm.” I spring the big question. “What are they like?”
Without hesitation he answers, “They are regular kids, just like her.”
Conversation over.

And that my friends is the beauty of true integration. My son does not see a disability. He does not see atypical facial features. He doesn’t see stereotypes. He simply sees Masha, and a bunch of other regular kids.

regularkids

Next Fall Masha will begin Kindergarten in a regular classroom with ordinary peers from our neighborhood. We pushed the district hard to make this happen for her (even though it is her legal right). We stood her ground because the more time Masha spends with typical peers the more they will see her, not her extra chromosome. And when the focus on the disability disappears, the doors of life will be wide open for Masha and all the other regular kids.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Four Years

k_born

Guess who turns four today?

The Cobra.

The Master of Disaster.

The Princess.

Kimzilla.

My Crazy Monkey.

My Jumpin’ Bean.

The Queen of my Heart, Kimani Rain.

 k_atfour

Friday, June 22, 2012

The End of Kindergarten

Today is the last day of school. That means it is the last day of Kindergarten for Jade. There isn’t much profound to say about this except that it didn’t make me sad like I expected it to. It simply reminded me that time passes too quickly.

 Here is what Day One looked like

first_day

Kindergarten Reflections Interview
What was the best thing that happened in Kindergarten?
Jade: When we had the chicks and I got to hold one.

Who was your favorite person?
Jade: Anna... who is going to a different school (big sad face).

Best school lunch?
Jade: Hotdogs. And the kiwi that I fell in love with. The kiwi is the best. The hotdog is second. Wait... hotdogs and kiwis, that’s the best lunch.

Best time of the day?
Jade: Outdoor recess!

What is the most important thing you learned in Kindergarten?
Jade: I know what 10 plus 9 is.
Mom: What is it?
Jade: Um, let me think. 19! It is 19! because 20 minus 1 is.
Mom: That’s how you figured it out?
Jade: Yup.

Any advice for a little kid going into Kindergarten next year?
Jade: Yeah, keep your hands to yourself. And I would tell them to walk inside the white lines so that they would be ready and know everything.

And this was today...

last_day