Ready to go! |
First day of school smiles! |
Liam started Kindergarten!
I can't believe it.
I really never thought he would be capable of being in a school setting with the challenges he faces. I know the schools are supposed to help accomodate as best they can but with Liam's severe vomiting coupled with his multiple disabilities, school didn't seem like a good idea, ever. Not only that, I don't enjoy watching other children stare at my son. I'm used to it and I understand why it happens, but I still don't enjoy it. So having him in that environment was not my ideal.
But as Liam grew older and his desire to learn along with our knowledge of his abilities came the realization that maybe being in school would be good for him. Shawn was not on board as he is felt the way I did; school was just not the best place for a child with so many issues and taunting/teasing about his challenges was not something we as parents want to endure on his behalf.
At the big meeting at the end of last school year it was determined we would give it a go and Liam would attend for 3 1/2 hours a day, from 9-12:30.
I was scheduled to stay for 90 minutes the first day but ended up staying the whole time. It worked out well because I was able to show his one-to-one all the fun things he likes to do and I got to know her pretty well.
She's very attentive, loves working with Liam, and will be right there to help him the entire time.
The second day I dropped him off and when I walked away it dawned on me that I had never left Liam like that before. He's been left with family or close family friends before but I've never left him with what are essentially strangers. I've never even been allowed to leave him when he has therapy.
I almost had no idea what to do with myself for the 3 1/2 hours.
The day must have gone fabulous because when I picked Liam up he got mad at me when I went to put him in his care seat. He fought me and arched out of his seat. I couldn't figure out what he was doing and why when it hit me that he might be upset about having to leave school. I told him he would be able to go back again tomorrow and he settle down in the seat. Next day, he did the same thing when I picked him up. By the end of the week he was adjusting to his schedule and wouldn't get upset when we left.
He finished out his first week a huge success. No vomiting and minimal drooling. Yay!!
Last night, however, he started coughing in the middle of the night and he is now running a fever. It's been a concern of mine about how he would do this school year with the exposure to all the new viruses. He's always been a very healthy guy with only 1 or 2 colds a year. And here we are the first week in and he's already sick. =(
I am really excited for the routine and structure for Liam because it's really going to help him with his skills but if he gets sick a lot it will affect his outcomes.
So here's praying for a healthy, positive, and productive year for this awesome little man!