In First grade I remember.
Learning about the contents and dinosaurs.
Falling and hitting my head three times in the same sport.
I fell and hit my head playing with my siblings in the play room. I remember going to the downstairs bathroom being all bloody. It was not a present site.
I fell at school.
I also fell when book girl pushed a toy shopping cart with me riding on top. That was not a good idea.
Today I have a scar on my forehead from where that happen.
My class got chicken pox. I got the shot but the next day I went into school and my teacher told me to go to the office because I actually had the Chicken Pox.
I remember getting tested for NLD. I did not understand that I had it until ninth grade.
I was very close to my first grade teacher. My mother always reminds me of this by saying that first grade was the year I sat on my teacher's lap. I do have memories of not sitting on her lap but I think it happened more times then not. I also remember
being sat down and told I had CP, so maybe that was part of it I am not sure. I had behavior problems and was labeled the bad kid. This was the last year that I attended that school. From then on I attended public school. Academically that was the right choice socially well you will have to see in my next post.
Past posts about first grade
NLD
Friday, October 16, 2015
Thursday, October 15, 2015
31 for 21 Day 15 : First grade Opereta
Tomorrow I will be sharing more about first grade. Lets just say that First grade was a tough year but I was still cute.
Here is proof.
Here is proof.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
31 for 21 Day 14 A major misconception about NLD.
I have Non Verbal Learning disorder, NLD for short. When people first hear that they think that I am non Verbal . The answer to this is false. I talk and use speech for all of my communication needs. My speech is unclear but that has to do with Cerebral Palsy not NLD.
Too learn more about NLD please watch this somewhat short video,
Too learn more about NLD please watch this somewhat short video,
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
31 for 21 Day 13 Sending your kids with disabilities to college an Q and A
Today’s post will be from Stephanie, Stephanie has two kids the oldest is Ryan, who has been on my Special Olympics Track Team for the past four years, Ryan has Autism but that does not stop him from going to college. He goes to the Wayfinders program at Fresno State. I talked to Stephanie about her family’s decision to send her son to college.
AZ :How did you find out about the program?
Stephanie: I heard about the program when I googled colleges for kids with disabilities. I did a lot of research on Fresno State Taft College and UCLA.
The process to apply for Fresno State took about six months. We visited had interviews and there was extensive application process. In the end Ryan liked Fresno State
AZ Why did you guys chose the Wayfinders program?
Stephanie: I didn't take him to UCLA because I thought LA is too big and too far. When I did research about Taft College it was also too far and it is a very small school. Fresno seemed perfect because it was a perfect mix of not really a big city but a nice college campus
Their program is very extensive. Not only does it include independent living skills and budgeting finance paying bills on your own it's also a work program.
Ryan starts his job in the library and bookstore this week.It's a great school for not only social interaction academics but also the independent living component and they have a lot of life coaches and other coaches to help them along the way
It's challenging because they really work you hard and they make sure that you stick to a budget and that's not always fun. But the whole goal is to get you to a place where you can live and work independently and have a social life. And really isn't that what everybody wants?
AZ How is Ryan doing?
Ryan and his brother Will |
Stephanie :It's taking some time adjusting to all of the new experiences having three roommates sharing living spaces sharing refrigerators going out to parties and events going to classes and all the while keeping track of your own money. Ryan is finally starting to enjoy it a lot more I think at first it was very very difficult because he's never had to do anything like this
AZ What would you want to say to other parents about sending their student with disabilities to college ?
Stephanie: I would say be prepared for a lot of ups and downs. First of all it has to be what your child wants not what you want. Like with Ryan him being 3 1/2 hours away it's very hard. He gets homesick he didn't know anyone when he got there and for some kids with disabilities it's very hard for them to use language skills and social skills and get out there and meet people.
You have to be prepared for a lot of phone calls and a lot of support.
And you also have to realize that it's OK to fail if it's not the right situation for your child or your child is it happy then it's OK to say come home
Thank you Stephanie for giving us some insight. I can not wait to hang out with Ryan over winter break. Have a question for Stephanie leave a comment below .
Monday, October 12, 2015
31 for 21 Day 12 Meet the girl that stared in Switched at Birth
Meet Sofia Sanchez. She is a first grade student who is also making quite a name for herself as a modal in the Change the Face of Beauty and has recently made a guest appearance on Switched at Birth.
In the show Toby, who is the older brother of Bay who was Switched at Birth with Daphene, breaks the news to his family that he is expecting a baby with Down Syndrome. In an effort to educate themselves about the condition the two of them go to a school for kids with developmental disabilities. There they meet Sofia who shows Toby that Down Syndrome is not the end of the world. Sofia stole the show and was supper cute. I have been Facebook friends with Sofia mother Jennifer for a while now She was kind enough to let me interview her.
AZ:
I know Sofia was adopted can you tell me anything about where she came from
Sofia and her brothers. Mateo, Joaquin and Diego |
Jennifer:
She was adopted from an orphanage in Ukraine. She was abandoned at birth.
Her bio parents were married and she was their first child. We believe they were fearful of raising a child with a disability or maybe felt like they were equipped. Culture in Eastern Europe is about 40 years behind us in the U.S. in terms of people with disabilities.
AZ
How long have you been watching switched at birth ?
Jennifer
Just Season four !
AZ
Was it hard to catch up on all the drama?
I have been watching since the first episode back in 2011
Jennifer
Jennifer
It was pretty simple to get up to date. I did go back and watch the first few episodes of season 1
I am missing a few key players like Angelo but I do plan on going back and watching from the start.
AZ
How did Sofia wind up on the Show?
AZ
How did Sofia wind up on the Show?
Sofia high five Lucas Grabeel - who plays Toby - for a job well done. Grabeel also played Ryan in High School Musical |
Jennifer:
She auditioned for the part and was chosen by SAB
We got the audition from her agent Gail Williamson at KMR Diversity
AZ
How was it on set?
Jennifer
The set was impressive. Soooooooo many people behind the scenes to make it all happen. It was amazing to witness
AZ
What has the reaction been to Sofia's stardom?
Jennifer
Her peers (other 1st graders) LOVED seeing her on TV and are so excited to say hi to her. Her teachers and family are so proud of her. Sofia loved it all. She loved the work, the people, watching herself on TV. She loved it all.
AZ: Any future projects?
Jennifer: She has a modeling job next month for Freckles & Kitty and Zulily and she auditioned recently for a movie role that we are still waiting to hear about!
Sofia on her first day of First Grade |
School is her top priority! She's learning to read and write and working on her speech. This way she has a bright future ahead of her! But her love is modeling, acting, performing and making people smile!!!
AZ
What does Sofia like to do for fun?
Jennifer
Sofia likes to dance, sing, read, swim and play barbies.
AZ
If there was one thing you want other people to know about Down Syndrome what would you want people to know?
Jennifer
That people with Down syndrome are PEOPLE with their own sets of dreams and hopes and wants.
Thank you Jennifer and Sofia
Have any other questions for Jennifer ? Leave a comment below.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
31 for 21 Day 11: Learning disabilities video
This is a great video I watched this last spring in my intro to special education class. I hope you enjoy it.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
31 for 21 : Day Ten more about Unified Sports
Earlier this week I posted about Unified Sports. Here is more information about the program from Special Olympics Northern California.
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