baby doll "barber" chair

Dan bought a baby doll barber chair at the church rummage sale this morning. [Technically, it's a baby doll beauty chair, but Dan calls it a barber chair... ;-) ]. I had my doubts, but of course Jackson is going to town with it, putting in every stuffed animal for it's turn for a hair cut. He draped the Spider man sheet over Ernie and even went after a pair of scissors...not so fast! Last time he got scissors we all know what happened to his hair.

This is just a very big deal for us. We've spent years obsessing about Jackson's ability to "play-pretend". This is as good as it gets, but it's very touching, heartwarming and encouraging for us. So who cares if it's a baby doll beauty chair, right?

The Rock Wall

Dan took Jackson Sunday afternoon to a local entertainment complex with the boy scouts. He had a good time playing putt-putt golf, riding go-carts and he climbed the rock wall!!! This is just such a big accomplishment for him! I'm so very impressed that he put on the helmet and other gear to climb, then just made his way up, listening to Dan's cues to "grab the green, use the green ones buddy". He made it up about 15 feet before yelling, "Daddy, help me!" Even then, he let go and held on as he was lowered to the ground.

Victory!

High expectations yields positive results. This is precisely why we've fought to keep him with his peers. It's beginning to pay off.

science homework

Jackson is to memorize this line for science class:

"A delta is always growing and changing."

We've practiced it for a couple of days. Tonight when prompted, "A delta..." He responded, "is always going and crazy." then he laughed....

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll get it right tomorrow.

Home Alone

I mowed the lawn this afternoon. Of course, when I got out the mower the gas tank was empty and so were our gas cans [at $4 a gallon, I might just be letting my grass grow!] So, I holler at the boys to get in the truck so we can run up to the corner gas station to fill up. Jackson was not at all interested in going. "You stay here. I'll be right back" (notice the incorrect use of pronouns). I knew it would take less than 5 minutes and I alerted the neighbor lady. Then...I left him home alone! OK, some of you might be freaking out right now, but ask yourself, would you leave your 10 year old alone for 15 minutes? I'm guessing you would. So, I'm extremely proud of him--it's a huge step towards independence. [Even though a safety net was in place]. We've got to start somewhere, this is a small step toward that greater end.

Advocating

I'm pondering this tonight...what does it mean to advocate for my son? Sometimes it means making tough choices--can I stand to watch him flounder? will he make it?

Advocating means making the best choices for my son. I've got just one shot at this. I have to make every day count. When I read success stories or think about other disabled adults who are functioning in society now, there is a common thread: high expectations.

Never lowering the bar; instead, moving it up inch by inch always reaching, striving for the next level. Would I put my son in a place I know he'll fail? Never! Would I stretch him beyond his comfort level? You bet! Would I provide him a soft place to fall? Absolutely. Who knows this child better than I? It's maddening when "professionals" presume they know what is best for my son. I'm so curious to know, "do you have a special needs child? Do you know the challenge of caring for one? Have you walked in my shoes? Do you know my struggles?" Absolutely not, so stop trying to convince me that you know what is best for him. You're living in theory and programs. I'm living in life and ever after.

So, I'll advocate like a lioness. I'll defend my sons rights with passion and without humility.

"I have no time for fairy tales; I'm not a little girl" Gwen Stefani, No Doubt with Elvis Costello.

Insomnia & Indianapolis

It's way past midnight and I can't sleep (again). The good news is that Jackson is sleeping!
Jackson went on a field trip today to Indianapolis. Dan went along and said it was a great trip and Jackson made him proud. (He also had a headache from the noise on the bus....)

Soccer Practice

Cal had soccer practice last Thursday night. Jackson saw the older kids practicing on a nearby field and decided to join them. He really wanted no part of practicing with the "little" kids. How wonderful for us that he is attending to his peers and participating with little support. How grateful we continue to be for people who are so inclusive and encouraging!

"Word World"

Have you ever seen this show on PBS? Man, I love PBS, too bad it's soo da*n liberal!

Jackson' loves the "Word World" show, DVD, and Website. Today at Target he found the stuffed characters that go with the program. Dan dropped $30 on two....

The show is animated and all the characters/animals are illustrated using the letter forms that make up the words. Like the pig you see above. It seems to be helping his phonics skills progress beyond the first letter sound, so that's a plus....

Until next time...