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Someone Kick My Butt, Please

posted Thursday October 2nd, 2008

Just when I think we’re just fine, making do with what Sophie’s being handed (or not) in kindergarten, something happens to knock me off my clogs. (If you’ve never worn clogs, you won’t understand that saying.)

I reconnected this week with a lovely woman in town whose daughter is just about Sophie’s age, and also has Down syndrome. We wrote on each other’s “walls” on Facebook (if someone can explain that whole Wall thing versus the Email thing versus Status Comments, please do, and while you’re at it, what the hell does it mean when someone Pokes you?) and swapped quick kindergarten tales.

I’ll cut to the chase. Her kid — who goes to a public school in a neighboring district — gets a personal aide in the classroom 18 hours a week! That’s huge! Sophie doesn’t get someone to walk her from the cafeteria to the playground.

Something’s wrong with this picture, and if it was in reverse, I know this lovely woman would be kicking my butt toward an advocate or a law office. I need to do something. As Sophie’s physical therapist said this morning, it’s about her safety. I don’t want to rock the boat. But how can I help it?

Damn the economic crisis — we couldn’t sell our house and move to that better district even if we wanted to. And open enrollment is not an option for special needs kids; they’re too expensive.

At least Fall Break starts tomorrow, so I can indulge in one of my favorite pasttimes: procrastination.

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Tags: Filed under: Uncategorized by Amysilverman

3 Responses to “Someone Kick My Butt, Please”

  1. Doesn’t she walk with her classmates?

  2. She doesn’t walk with her classmates. The lunch period is quite short, and after a few minutes, most of the kids are done eating and are dismissed to the playground en masse. The kids who haven’t finished eating — and that always includes Sophie — are then on their own to finish, pack up, and find their way to the playground on their own. Turn left out of the cafeteria, and you’re headed to the playground (after a few twists and turns). Turn right, and you’re a few feet from the street.

  3. I have a few issues with school myself. I think that the people that they “put in charge to help” really aren’t that helpful. It seems like things are a chore to them, that they don’t even like children. Why are they even there?

    That’s just my rant. Sorry.

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