Christmas cards

There are some things that totally amaze me about Charlotte. Last night she sat down and wrote all her Christmas cards to her friends and really enjoyed it. It really filled me with pride watching her do it (Yet again sticking to large fingers up at the old t*sser optician type). Making sure she sealed each one and some of them got kisses.

I shouldn't be amazed but I am. She even on an award at school for her writing and for that I think she has Mari to thank for her patience and understanding. Sadly I don't have that quality although I do try. For me it is teaching her to catch and play ball.

Elves

Today was Charlotte's Christmas play. Rather than subject the kids to long production this usual involves very short scenes involving the kids in song and dance. My goodness but my daughter makes me laugh. There she was singing and dancing with the best of them. Very proud of her own performance. Even remembering to do the count in to one of the songs. You know the song plays then a pause and then bag in. She got it spot on. Very proud I am of her too, very very proud.

The eye's have it.

Yesterday was our (Me and the Big C's) regular trip up to the hospital to have Charlotte's six monthly eye check. This usually involves a student doctor trying to get Charlotte to identify different objects on a card at different sizes. Bit like an eye test but instead of letters they use objects like; Fish,Cup,Sock,Apple,Clock and Van. I guess for the students it is a challenge as they have to use a different mind set to get C to co-operate and not guess when it gets to small. These test were at first very difficult as a) She didn't know the objects and b) Didn't really want to do them. Thankfully that has got a lot easier.

So yesterday was just the standard check, which they will now start doing at the school. The other test is the glasses test which involves a more in depth test and putting drops in her eyes to dilute the pupil so they can check the eye.

The day appointment always ends with Daddy having to do the tests that Charlotte has just done. She as actually very good at administering the tests even getting the squint test spot on (Involves cover one of the patients eye and then uncovering).

School play Monday should be good

Things you have to get used too..

Here is my list of things you will have to get used too.

Starers - Yep, you will notice it a lot at first ,especially when walking around, but as you become more comfortable you tend not to notice as much. In fact now I hardly notice and only pick up on it once in a while. Nothing wrong with it I guess people are either curious, concerned or just having a look. Sometimes is just feels like "go on take picture it last longers" but then someone will say "Sorry I was starring it's just my daughter has child with downs syndrome".

"They are happy and loving" - Generally from people who don't quite know what to say. The question is are they?? In truth depends on the day. Charlotte can be very happy and loving but get her on a bad day and she is the Spawn of the red man (No not Santa the other one) himself (as I would add most children are). Thing is to remember people just don't want to say nothing so that is what comes to their mind.

Popular - Charlotte is waaaaaaaaaaay more popular then I am. There is hardly a day goes by when walking around someone will go "Hi Charlotte", or "Is that Charlotte, She used to go to my school". It is a thrill to know she is touching the lives of so many different people.

to mainstream or not

Probably the biggest decision we had to face in recent years and not an easy one to make.

Charlotte started off her school days in mainstream. Nursery, reception and the all the way up to year 4. In the main I think she did ok but the school had few issues. I think Charlotte was the first with what is considered Special needs and it took them a few goes to get the system right. To be honest her Mum dealt mostly with that side. I am little embarrassed about that. However she was doing all these education course and seemed to know what she was talking about.

I think some of the reason for sending her to mainstream is we were still struggling to come to terms with the fact that she is different. We fight so hard to pretend that it is going to be ok. "See she can go to mainstream". We persisted until it became clear that to "Include" her she was actually being "Excluded". Didn't help either that her headmaster was a f**kw*t and said that "In the event of a fire all those that could not get out on their own would be left for the fire service according to Health and Safety". IE if there was a fire Charlotte and others would be left. It is clear now that Charlotte hated going to that school. really really hated it.

There was a lot of discussion about should we move her. I was a little upset that she was going to be moved. Totally my fault for being ignorant about "Special Schools". However it was decided that Charlotte would go and have a tour with Me, Mari and Christine (Her 1 to 1 or LSA). I was dreading it. You see for every time I had to take her to school she would end up in flood of tears with me having to walk away while she cried. Heart wrenching I can tell you. So I was a little scared as this was going to be a new school, even if it was only a visit. Boy were we wrong.

Somehow she knew. Somehow this place calmed her. We pulled up in the car and before I had chance to battle with her to get her out the car, the seatbelt was off and she was ready to go. She happily walked with us to her class and Sat down with the other kids and took part in some lessons while Mari and I were shown around the school. My fears/ignorance were totally laid to rest and I have a new sense of enlightenment for what they can do. after the tour we returned Charlotte to her mainstream school where the horrible ritual of leaving a crying child continued.

She has been Addington now for a year and half and I can't describe the amazing transformation in her, Confident, independent and learning so much. No more whinging or moaning (well no more than any one having to to go to school.....or work). She loves it. I have no doubt that mainstream school helped her and her peers but Addington is where she belongs and is growing in herself.