Finally going to school!

We finally get to get Q started in school. Geeze! what an ordeal! We finally had our meeting with the school nurses and the staff at the preschool. They were really grateful that I had video of Quinn's new types of seizures. Those are probably the ones they will be seeing the most of, honestly. The school nurse was Q's last year too so she knows Q's case and helped the staff to understand Q's care. It was a little difficult to hear what she thought of how Q has developed over the past year. Last year at our first school meeting, I explained to them that I felt that Quinn was growing out of all her issues so although we needed to develop a plan for IF things were to go wrong, I didn't feel that it would be very necessary to have to carry out. Turns out that school took quite a toll on her last year and the nurse explained to them about how the teachers called her to voice concerns for how Quinn had basically deteriorated from how she was at the beginning of the school year, to where she is now. Quinn was coloring during the meeting and seemed to be doing quite well, but then she got incredibly tired during the meeting and passed out in my arms. The nurses asked me if she was alright and I just told them that this was her new baseline. She is a lot more exhausted than she was last year and a little more spaced out. But I still want her in school. It was written in her plan to go allow her to take a small nap if she ends up just passing out like she did during the meeting. Mainly because unless your eyes are on her 24/7, you will not know whether or not she passed out from a seizure.

The teacher seemed a little overwhelmed with her care, but I assured her that Q was very adaptive and her brain is just like all the other children in the class. She just has some obstacles in front of her, but that still never stops her. We rigged up a stroller for her to push around with her o2 tank so she can be more mobile and other children don't have to trip over the tubing. We also talked about how Q is very in tune to her own body and she will actually walk up to the teachers and say she doesnt' feel well. I told them that when this happens, it usually means she is going to have a seizure or she is feeling dizzy and disoriented. Or her stomach just really hurts. She just needs a break if this happens until she seems to be feeling better. I asked them not to limit her. Just to be aware of her issues and treat them accordingly, just like we do at home. The teachers at the other preschool last year were really awesome about all this and it does seem like a lot to do, it's really not. It's just about reading her daily. I let them know that I would keep her home if she is having a bad day.

We also talked about her transition to Kindergarten, already! they said that children with special needs should start paperwork almost a year prior to admitting. I can't believe it! My child will be going to Kindergarten next year! They explained about how Quinn should have an IEP... right now she is just on a 504 plan (which is not an IEP, it only addresses medical issues). The 504 plan is limited, from what was explained to me, and they felt that she would benefit more from an IEP. Our IRC worker said the same thing. We are so lucky to have all these people working together to form a good plan for Quinn. I don't even realy have to do anything when it comes to that. they are all in contact with each other. 

Quinn gets to start on Monday! I am to stay with her for the first couple of days so the teacher can get a feel for Quinn's "normal" and ask questions as the pop up. But after everything, she said she was very comfortable with the idea of having Q in the class and that she was really looking forward to having her. Quinn and Mrs. D seemed to really get along very nicely too! I feel comfortable with this. Quinn also has a friend that is in her classroom. Her name is Brooke. Brookes mom and I are good friends as well (we planned it this way! ) So I know they will do fine. Brooke is a big help with Q's stroller if she is having a hard time pushing it around. I think also i'm going to see what i can do to make it a little easier to push. the wheels on the front don't turn and the tank slides around in there a little. I'll probably replace the wheels and try and make a more snug space for the tank itself.

I am so happy the Quinn has a very strong immune system! She is rarely sick with infection, unless it has something to do with her stomach. But seriously... 4 times a year for a fever is really good considering all the bad things that can go wrong with her. This is a HUGE reason why i'm totally ok with her going to school. She fights off illness like a champ and wins every time. I hope this year is no different when it comes to that. She faces a few new challenges this year, but I'm confident that she will do fine. I am so excited that she gets to go to school.

One of the nurses said to me before we left that it's just amazing that I allow her to come to school. She said that most parents would not allow their children to be at school with as many overwhelming obstacles that Q faces. But if her immune system were crap, i'd probably think about it a little more, but i think she needs social interaction, her brain is so normal and I don't want to treat her any differently, so why wouldn't i put her in school? I was told that I'm a good mommy.... which makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. (at times I do question if i'm doing what's best for Quinn) So yeah, Q gets to go to school... WEWT!!!!