Worries now we are home.

I had a discouraging week. Cassie returned to school and I guess she lost alot of what she had learned during the school year. Her teacher said she is now down 4 reading levels. I really wonder if Cassie was ever as high in the reading levels as they thought. Does a child learn to read and then totally forget how to read in five weeks? I have never seen Cassie read unassisted. Even level one books we read to her and she reads after. Cassie is now guessing and has forgotten how to sound things out. Anyway, I felt discouraged and judged for taking her out of school. Not sure if people really understand how I try to balance out what is best for my girl.
I called the principal who reassured me that it may be a transition back to school (sort of like after summer holidays). I got a call from Cassie's school OT who was concerned on the first week back as well. Thankfully she is willing to set up a meeting at the school. Cassie now has three different EA's each day. How can this be effective for a little girl with learning disability? She cant even remember their names. I feel discouraged because it seems alot of people at her school have forgotten alot of Cassie's strategies in place on her IEP. She is getting no time with her assistive technology (clicker 5 or star fall). The EA's are writing things down for Cassie instead of letting her print. No part of ther IEP said to scribe for my daughter she knows how to print. To make matters worse Cassie wont sleep in her own bed, keeps waking at night and has had at least three melt downs this week. She did not display this behavior at camp. She was a leader, she thrived in her program. She did not struggle so much. It pulls at a parents heart strings. I am feeling sorry for Julia always behaving and Cassie demanding attention inappropriately. The transition back to school has been hard for Casssie. The teacher gave her a spelling test, despite me asking him not to and all the words were guessed, not even close and looked like another language. a Big discouraging 0 for a special needs girl with a brain injury. I dont want this kind of testing to discourage my upbeat child. Chris came home upset about the spelling test after we had asked to test her differently or on easier words. Cassie tried to memorize the words all week every night but to no avail.
Friday, I talked to the Learning Resource teacher. Told her how I was feeling and told her I feel discouraged. She gave me a large book on phonics and Cassie can do two pages a night. She was very reassuring. I need to straighten up and not show Cassie I am discouraged. Cassie has enough to worry about on her own.
I think the issue is now I am back to work. I am tired and feeling the pressure. Cassie is not doing any of her exercises. My house is a mess. My dog is having terrible behaviors peeing on the bed, growling and grabbing food from the table. I keep questioning why I got him as I thought a dog would make me feel more relaxed.
Cassie's foot is tighting after being locked into her AFO's as I cant make a decision about weather she should wear them or not. AFO's from morning to night and Cassie cant move her foot again. The muscles are weakening with lack of use.
Today I took Cassie to a new Chiropracter in Ancaster. She was very happy with Cassie's fit body and she worked on the weak foot imobolizing the calcaneous and looked at the pelvis and leg length discrepancy. She made some nice recommedations. Cassie worked on a small trapoline in her bear feet that is good for weight bearing on her left side. I like the new chiropractor and so did Chris and most importantly so did Cassie. The new chiropractor rides horses and Cassie and her had alot to talk about. Cassie's therapeutic riding lessons start again next week.
Cassie is going to have incompletes on her report card because I took her out of school. The teacher said he will put "not enough information". Dont bother sending a report card home. I can't beleive how far back Cassie fell academically and I feel discouraged. Back to square one with trying to advocate at Cassie's school. I cant beleive our Public library has no tutoring or no reading programs for little girls. I can't find anything at the Hamilton school board. I called the Hamilton Learning Disablity association and the number was out of service. I am broke, tired and discouraged. Chris may be better off to deal with the school until I get strong again. I told him to go to some of the meetings. Get a Dad's perspective.
My email outlines the challenges of raising a special needs girl. I can see why some parents get overwhelmed. I am going to stay strong about my decision to take Cassie out of school. It was a once in a life time opportunity to go to Ability camp. Cassie will have learning disability that will plague her her entire academic career and life is always a balancing act but I feel camp opened our eyes and I felt support from the other mothers.
This email outlines the reason for my blog. Writing is healing for me. I feel better just getting it out and venting. I will go to church tommorrow another place I feel relaxed and thank God for my blessings. We are all healthy and love each other. Spring is here and my trailer will open soon. Things I love that make me feel relaxed and back to the drawing board trying to teach my girl to read.