Michael's first day at preschool!

[Michael's mom]

Friday was Michael's first day at preschool. First, I thought it was HeadStart, an integrated preschool for low-income kids and disabled children. Nope. It was "Special Ed" and I wasn't sure I would like that at all! I wondered how Michael could get the boost he needs if all of the 2-3 year olds were non-verbal and basically functioning at an 18 month level or less. There were 7 students, 2 teachers and 2 paraprofessionals.
As soon as he came in the room, and the kids were at the snack table, I knew we were off to a beautiful start! I took Michael out of his wheelchair and sat him at the table placing some Cheerios in front of him. He reaches to the left and snatches a pretzel from a girl, reaches to the right and steals an oyster cracker from the boy next to him, WOW!! This is interaction!! Some of you who have no cognitive issues may not appreciate that, but believe me that is big!

Next is circle time. The teachers signed throughout a half-dozen songs. I helped Michael to clap and raise his arms because he won't do this on his own except maybe twice a month. It was good exercise. By the third song, Michael kept getting up and hugging the teacher, it was so sweet.

Free play was...well...Michael pretty much just tried to eat the puzzle pieces so I brought him over to look at the mirror and roll around. He played with a bowl of dried rice while I was freaking out inside wondering if some would get in his trach stoma. I took extra precautions and put gauze around it so no germs or rice or dust would get in his lungs, but still, I was freaking out about the dried rice. He didn't want anything to do with reading a book and kept going back to the food table. Once lunch was served, he ate 2 slices of cheeze pizza, 2 servings of green beans, a container of chocolate milk - with a straw!! (big for him!) - and was the last one up.

This day was so wonderful for Michael and for me. Last year I had never EVER taken him anywhere without a nurse, fearing he would have respiratory arrest. And today I drove him BY MYSELF all the way to school. I did have to pull over twice in 4 miles to suction him, but I did it. I can't believe how much we've grown!!! It was my best day ever with Michael. I love the teachers and I love the class. Michael fit right in and I had no feelings like he was missing something by not being with kids who can run circles around him literally and academically. THIS is the place for us right now and I am so very thankful we did this. Thanks for all the encouragement and support you guys have given us.

Susan and Michael

[christyw]

Susan,

That sounds like the PERFECT day to me. I am right there with you on being excited about the things Michael did!! Gaithy started a therapeutic daycare center in August '03 and really likes it. We had her placed with children that are 18-24 months. She is three, but it's the right place for her right now. None of the other children have any medical problems or histories...just regular kids, but I'm comfortable with her there. We have been so fortunate that she got a new teacher back in the fall, not long after she started. I was upset that there was a change, but now I am so grateful. This woman is incredible. She "gets" the "little things" that we as parents on here totally understand and NEED in a caregiver! Most of our kids aren't hard to care for (not for few hours a day that is!!) if the person just "gets it," you know? But that is hard to find.

I'm so glad he had a good time. I hope it all continues to be like that. Are you going to get to be there with him each day now?

Christy

[cariaad]

Hooray Michael! As I have said in other posts, preschool has been the absolute greatest thing for Alli (and me). Way to go! How many days a week will he attend? Will he have a nurse there for the vent or will you always stay? Im so excited for you both! Deb

[indiemum]

That is so amazing, it makes my heart soar! He is a very strong and willful little boy and I wish him years and years of happiness in school.


Kelly

ps
Good for you for having the bravery to allow Michael's dreams to come true. It can be very scary driving alone!

[Michael's mom]

Thanks, ladies! We will be going 3 days a week, Mon-Wed-Fri from 9 am - 1pm. I may cut out a little early though because it's very tiring for Michael. Besides the trach and vent (occaisionally), he has hypotonic muscles and he gets tired easily. Sort of like a myopathy, but no genetic tests have ever come back positive.

As for attending, I had them write in my son's IEP that I would be attending with him or his private duty nurse. I have had instances where nurses show up and have no clue how to suction, etc., so no way would I have a school nurse be in charge of him. I know there are competent ones, such as Rose who used to post here, but I would never take that chance. Besides, since I have had to work his whole life and this is my first time to stay home with him, I am really enjoying being a part of this exciting time in our lives. I never intend on sending a private nurse, so now it's in his IEP and I get to go every day with him. Next year, they might put up a fight.

More on our adventure later. I would encourage anyone to send their child to preschool, BUT I must say that after Michael stole the oyster cracker, he drank out of that kid's sippy cup and now he has a stuffy nose and green coming from his trach. I have a feeling we'll be out more than in school due to illness. Take care, Susan

[Jacob's Mom]

Susan, This is such great news to hear!! I am so happy for you and for Michael. This gives me great confidence that Jacob will be able to attend preschool, even if it is with me.

I am also really impressed with Michael's interaction with the other kids..that is great. I am concerned about Jacob's inability to interact with ANYONE, besides close family members. So, I can understand why that was such a big step for Michael.

Congratulations!!

[annerae63]

Susan-
I am so happy that school went so well for Michael AND for you! It will only get better, trust me!

[Olga]

I am so pleased that your day was a success. I know exactly how you feel about driving Michael about on your own. I felt elated after the first time I drove Grace on my own.
Grace still had a trachy when she started pre-school so I stayed with her as well. I know how difficult it is to trust someone else with your child. I hope he gets over the "green nose" quickly. Grace had five colds between September and the end of November, but nothing we couldn't handle. Best wishes. Olga

[Colin's mom]

Susan,

How wonderful for Michael! I love how you said he took a cracker from the kid on his right and another from on his left! Glad to hear he is fitting right in with all the other kiddos. I'm sure he just loved being around all of them.
How proud you must have felt taking him there all by yourself! This is one place where the peope understand what a huge deal that is. Colin was 8 months old when I took him out just by myself and it felt so great. Good for you!

Lesley