I had lots of fun painting this ocean scene. What a beautiful day to be walking along the beach with your granddaughter. I am glad this special moment was captured on camera so that I could do my own interpretation of this special day on canvas. This painting is one of two that I am doing as a commissioned special I offered recently. This customer new a good deal when she heard it, a 16 x20 original oil on canvas for only $100.00 She ordered one for her parents and another for her husband as Christmas presents. Shop early this offer ends on August 31. For more information contact me www.harrold.janet@gmail.com

We had such a nice weekend with Hailey, I’m sure I sound like a broken record, I just enjoy her company so much, it is always my pleasure when she spends the night. We even got Grampy up at 6:00 a.m. to take us out to breakfast, even though he just went to sleep at 4:00a.m. Though she doesn’t really talk much, Hailey knows that all she has to do is give him that mischevious unbelievable smile of hers and he will do whatever she wants. She can play him like a fiddle. We spent the remainder of the day playing games and reading books, It is amazing how much Hailey still enjoys reading, after reading several books I would attempt to walk into the kitchen and start preparing dinner or cutting up fruit and Hailey will continuously follow me out there with another book in hand, her new thing is to get on her knees and thrust herself up on your legs.She totally wraps her arms around both of your legs, still holding on to that book and looking way up at you and smiling. After such effort and determination I have to stop dead in my tracks and bring her back into the living room and read more books. She can never get enough of them,and I can never get enough of her.
Last night when Christine came to teach us sign language, Hailey totally knocked her socks off. Of course Grampy was video taping us and she also likes to ham it up a bit. We mostly worked on our colors. We started with the book “Brown bear, brown bear what do you see” I narrated the book while Christine would show her each color in sign and Hailey would match each color inside the book with a small color square, she never even got one wrong! The high light of the night was when Hailey signed “Bear” each time she would sign “bear” Hailey would point outside, we had no idea what she was pointing to, at the end of the night, Christine brought the dogs inside (she brings two dogs with her each week, one dogs name is Lycos and the other is Teddy) The dogs come running inside very happy to be going home and Hailey smiled and
signed “BEAR” we didn’t get it that she was signing Teddy Bear! Now I wonder who is teaching who here?

To sign or not to sign THAT is the question

Well I guess we have been thinking whether or not it is a good idea for Hailey to learn more sign language. On ocassion Hailey sometimes says partial words, for example: When I ask her if she wants to read a book she used to comment “a boo” not totally finishing the word but everybody new what she was trying to say. Earlier on we learned a few words in sign language so that ultimately Hailey’s frustration level would be down a bit and also so we could open up the lines of communication, and to give her more choices. It seems since she has learned the sign for book, she no longer says “a boo”. This causes concern for my family. We have to ask ourselves if this is something we want to continue doing. We do not want her to use sign language INSTEAD of trying to use her voice.
Last night we had Christine come to the house, she taught us the alphabet in sign as well as a lot of different signs that might be helpful to Hailey. It was so much fun to learn (my fingers hurt). She has been working with children who have autism for over 10 years and she also had some great ideas to help with speech development and motor skills as well. Christine did such a wonderful job showing us how to sign and she even let us videotape her so that I could share it with all my blogger friends who have children that have a hard time communicating verbally. I hope that some of you can also benefit from these short clips.
In addition to learning sign I also learned that although we were initially nervous about signing preventing her speech development, research suggests very strongly that this is not the case. In fact the opposite occurs, as signing seems to positively encourage speech development.

Tell me your thoughts about American Sign Language and share your experiences with us.

I can paint your child

Well, as it turned out I have been getting many requests for painting children since my last post!
Partly because people like to see something that they can relate to, and partly because who wouldn’t want to take advantage of this special opportunity? But also because Caryanne from http://aboutthesmallstuff.blogspot.com/ was kind enough to write a post and put a link to my blog on her blog. Thank you Caryanne. One mother is ordering 3 paintings, 1 for herself and 2 for her parents for Christmas presents, what a great idea! Christmas in July, why not, it may take me that long to keep up with these commissions anyway. This picture is of Caryanne’s twin boys, Daniel and Ben. Ben also has Cerebral Palsy and those of you who know me well, know that I like to put a small green Cerebral Palsy awareness ribbon hidden somewhere in my paintings. This time I thought it would be appropriate to put the ribbon right over Ben’s heart. Thank you Caryanne.
If you would like one for your family, please email me www.harrold.janet@gmail.com

Stay tuned for videos of our sign language lessons. Christine has come to our house for the past two weeks to teach us sign language, because she has been working with children who have autism for over 10 years, she is pretty well rounded in child development and has taught us a lot of good ideas and tricks to help with motor skills,. She has given us lots of ideas to apply to everyday activities as well as encourage speech development. I can’t wait to introduce her, I hope you will find these videos of signing helpful. Please comment kindly about whether or not you think American Sign Language helps your child communicate better or if you believe that sign language will somehow hinder him from trying to vocalize. It is a question we ask ourselves everyday, any input with your experiences would be greatly appreciated.

"My Paintings of Hailey"

The weather has been so beautiful around here lately, there is no way you can stay indoors. Today I had the pleasure of going to the pond with Hailey and Natalie. Hailey really enjoys exploring and playing in the grass. I thought I would make her laugh, I said “watch Grammy, i’m going all the way to the top of the hill and I’m going to roll down o.k.” Hailey sat on her mother’s lap while she anxiously waited for me to get to the top. When I get there I said “ready, here I go” and as I begin to roll ( all the while hoping I don’t break something) I hear Hailey laughing. It is music to my ears. She is, as I expected laughing hysterically. She enjoyed my hideous attempt to roll down the hill so much that the little daredevil wanted to roll down the hill too. So, I thought I would humor her by bringing her just a wee bit up the hill and laying her down, but no, she’s not having it, I try and lay her down and she keeps pointing to the top. I’ll tell you, I can never get over on Hailey, she is a girl who knows what she wants. Before I knew it all 3 of us were rolling down the hill. My only regret is that we didn’t get any photos of this fun yet ridiculous act. Natalie did however get some nice shots of Hailey in the grass. They were so cute I just had to paint them.

I was pleased with the results (the pictures don’t really do them justice, I can never seem to get them without a glare). Anyway, if you think that these are just so cute that you might like me to paint one of your child, now is the time. Since I am painting to raise money for Hailey’s Conductive Education Fund, for a limited time I would be happy to paint a 16”x20”’ oil on stretch canvas for $100.00 Typically I would sell these any where from $500.-$700. For information please contact me www.harrold.janet@gmail.com I would be grateful if you would post a link to this blog on your own blog or facebook status. Thank you for your continuous support.

Hailey crosses the finish line!

It's been awhile since my last post, I am just so proud of Hailey! Not only because she is doing well with her gait trainer but also because she is really enjoying showing off her new set of wheels and playing with the other children. In the video you can see and hear the reactions from the other children at the park. At one point she seems to be the envy of a curious little boy (we'll call him George). He thinks what she is riding is like an airplane! He comments that he has never seen a bike like that. He is asking all kinds of questions and at one point he asks why Hailey isn't talking. Another curious girl was just staring quietly at Hailey. I realize that this is probably something that Hailey will have to face her whole life, and at some point she will probably be picked on or even treated mean. I am not quite sure how to handle this, I was not quite sure how we should have answered George's questions. I find it hard to explain to children in a way that they would understand, and at the same time being sensitive to the fact that Hailey is listening to everything that is being said. I'm sure that it is natural for George to be curious about Hailey not being able to walk and talk, but at the same time Hailey must be curious about why everyone around her CAN walk and talk. Educating adults about Hailey's disability is hard enough, not an easy thing for adults to grasp. Talking to children, Hailey included, it's difficult to know the right thing to say. I hope that with today's school system having more inclusive classrooms it will help typical children to understand how to talk and act and play with their peers despite their ability.
(click on the video below)

With the summer here and more things to be done out doors I haven't had much time for painting, but I do have some work hanging at The Mud House. So if any of you are in the Dorchester area, stop by The Mud House 389 Neponset Ave. They serve the best coffee, sandwiches and pastry fresh daily. Thank you to all who purchased Cerebral Palsy stained glass ribbons, and remember we can make any color awareness ribbon that you would like to support.

Cerabral Palsy Awareness Ribbon made of stained glass

A good friend of mine and fellow artist June Alexandra creates custom stained glass. http://www.alexandraglassart.com/contact.html  I recently asked her to design a green ribbon for me. It is by far the most precious piece of art I own. I hang it in my kitchen window and every morning when I make my usual cup of tea, a little piece of light shimmers through and it makes me smile. It reminds me of Hailey. It gives me a bit of hope, it also reminds me that I need to continue my quest to raise awareness about C.P. (Thank you June) Not only to make people aware that there is a condition out there called Cerebral Palsy, but that the people who have C.P. and other disabilities are very important people, just like you and I. I must admit that before Hailey was born I had no idea or clear understanding about life as a disabled person....how would I, why should I, how would you? I didn't care about taking the time to understand. I was far too busy for that. Then suddenly it stopped me dead in my tracks. Bang! You have absolutely no choice in the matter, and your priorities are now crystal clear. There is not a single thing in the world that is more important to me.

June has so graciously offered to help not only raise awareness of C.P. but to help raise money for Hailey's Conductive Education fund. She will make a ribbon fashioned out of stained glass so that you too can let the light shine in your window as well as raise awareness and show support for Hailey and many other people like her. To remind people that we will never stop fighting the fight.

For information about purchasing your stained glass ribbon for $20.00 plus shipping, please contact me, harrold.janet@gmail.com

If my special needs blogger friends wouldn't mind copying this post to your blog I would really appreciate it. Thank you

I am The Child

I Am the Child
I am the child who cannot talk. You often pity me, I see it in your eyes. You wonder how much I am aware of -- I see that as well. I am aware of much -- whether you are happy or sad or fearful, patient or impatient, full of love and desire, or if you are just doing your duty by me. I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater, for I cannot express myself or my needs as you do.

You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times. I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated. I do not give you answers to your everyday questions, responses over my well-being, sharing my needs, or comments about the world about me. I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards -- great strides in development that you can credit yourself; I do not give you understanding as you know it.

What I give you is so much more valuable -- I give you instead opportunities. Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine; the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities; the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible. I drive you further than you would ever go on your own, working harder, seeking answers to your many questions with no answers. I am the child who cannot talk.

I am the child who cannot walk. The world seems to pass me by. You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair, to run and play like other children. There is much you take for granted. I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, oh I've dropped my fork again. I am dependant on you in these ways. My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune, your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself. Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them. I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright, to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent. I give you awareness. I am the child who cannot walk.

I am the child who is mentally impaired. I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the world's measuring stick, what I do know is infinite joy in simple things. I am not burdened as you are with the strifes and conflicts of a more complicated life. My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child, to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love. I give you the gift of simplicity. I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I am the disabled child. I am your teacher. If you allow me, I will teach you what is really important in life. I will give you and teach you unconditional love. I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you. I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted. I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams. I teach you giving. Most of all I teach you hope and faith. I am the disabled child.

- Author Unknown -

Hailey "gets it" I know she does!

It's springtime here and there are so many beautiful trees in bloom right now. A nice time to share this story with you. On Wednesdays I take Hailey swimming and on our ride to the pool we usually sing and clap to a custom C.D that a friend made of children's favorites. Last week I turned the music down and pointed to all of the different colored trees that currently line the city streets, (also a nice way to review and learn colors with Hailey) pink Cherry blossom, white Dogwood, Flowering crab apple etc.etc. Because Hailey can't always take part in the same things that other children are taking part it, I think it is important for her to notice the simple yet beautiful things that mother nature has to offer. Sometimes while talking or explaining something to Hailey, she smiles with acknowledgement and other times Hailey has less expression on her face and seems to be in a daze or she just looks right through me. I'm never quite sure if she understands me or not.
This Sunday while my husband and I were taking Hailey to the Trailside Museum, I noticed out of the corner of my eye Hailey casually lifting up her right hand, her arm stretched towards the front windshield (because Hailey is non verbal she typically points in the direction of what she wants) I look back and see her smiling, but still i'm uncertain of what she is trying to say at this point. Another minute goes by and Hailey extends her left arm, (I'm still oblivious) Hailey then lifts her right arm again, this time I get it. Hailey is telling me to look at all the pretty trees. I just smile from ear to ear because I know that Hailey gets it, she really gets it!

"Cafe World"
30 x 40
oil on canvas
for purchase information
email harrold.janet@gmail.com

"Anxiously Waiting"

8 x 8 oil on panel
$50.00

A few people have e mailed me asking why I haven't posted any new paintings recently on my blog, It seems as though I may have a few separate audiences, 1 audience follows my blog for my art work and another for Hailey's progress, and some of you enjoy both. Well I don't want to forget that I am painting for a cause so I painted an 8x8 panel for your viewing this morning, you should know that when I am not working, I like to spend quality time with Hailey and when I am not with Hailey, I am probably painting. I recently finished a commissioned piece (a sailboat) as well as a rather large painting of chef's that will hopefully be hanging among some of my other work at "Ledge" a fairly new restaurant in the Lower Mills section of Dorchester. This will probably be hanging some time next week for 4-6 weeks. If your in the neighborhood stop by and have a bite to eat. The menu at The Ledge features mostly traditional American cuisine and pub grub. I am also working on 2 other commissions from a couple of co-workers. So believe me I have been busy. People ask me where I find the time to paint. Well, I find myself painting late at night and sometimes in the wee hours of the morning, If I weren't painting for such a worthy cause, I would probably give it a break, but "where love is deep, much can be accomplished" as long as people are willing to help out either by purchasing a painting or by letting me get my work out there on the walls of businesses, I'm going to get it done. Enough about art. Let's talk about Hailey...this morning (after I finished my painting) we brought Hailey to her doctor's appointment, that is never, ever an easy task, she absolutely hates it and fears it, crying the whole time, I really wish we could ease her anxiety. (If any of my fellow bloggers have any tricks on making these visits easier please comment below) After that we went for a walk in Olmsted Park, part of the Emerald Necklace. Hailey likes to walk there, Natalie says she likes to see the damn and the geese, so that is where we went today and on the way back home we had to walk past the playground and Hailey extended her arm and pointed towards the slide. The little dare devil that she is, she gets mad if Natalie goes down the slide with her. So with Mama up at the top and Grammy playing catcher, down she goes with a grin from ear to ear. My heart skips a beat, but Hailey just signs for more.

Just What is Cerebral Palsy?

I'm writing this post because I think a lot of my family and friends have no idea what to say or how to act around Hailey. I think a lot of you are unsure just what Cerebral Palsy is, and that makes you nervous or hesitant to ask about her. You don't know what to say so instead you say nothing or you are afraid you may ask something that you shouldn't ask. Maybe some of you are afraid to share with us your child's accomplishments in fear that we would feel bad that Hailey has not reached the expected milestones. Don't be afraid. We have totally accepted Hailey's disability and we are also very proud of her and her accomplishments. Cerebral Palsy is a result of an episode that causes lack of oxygen to the brain. In short it means that the brain doesn't send the right message to the muscles. There are four different kinds of C.P. Spastic, Athetoid, Ataxic and Mixed. Hailey has Athetoid C.P (Involuntary and uncontrolled movement). C.P. is also not curable and also not contagious. Some children with C.P. may not be able to walk, talk, eat or play the same way that other children do. But, in so many ways Hailey is just like other little girls her age. Hailey likes to eat cookies and ice-cream, she likes to swing on the swings in the park and she loves to go down the slide (all by herself I might add) with someone at the top to lie her down and someone at the bottom to catch her of course. She loves watching The Mickey Mouse Club House and doing the hot dog dance. She loves to be read to and she loves to learn. She loves music and swimming, she understands exactly what you are saying to her, even if she can not respond with words. She is learning sign language and other ways to communicate with us. She has feelings just like any other able bodied child. Talk to her the same way that you would talk to them, treat her the same way that you would treat them, and most of all, love her the same way that you would love them. I guarantee she will bring joy and love to your heart the same way that they do, the same way that she has filled our hearts with joy and love.

Hailey Crawled Yay!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood....Oh I'm sorry, was I singing? You bet I am so happy today, unlike yesterday when I was about to take Hailey for swimming and found out that it was closed because of Evacuation Day. I was very disappointed because swimming is a very important therapy for her and I really hate to miss it. Anyway, later that night Natalie informed me that Hailey had crawled on her hands in knees all the way from the living room into kitchen!!! Yeah Hailey! My only regret is that I wasn't there to see it. That's o.k I know that if she did it once, she will do it again especially if this means that she can crawl into the pantry and get her own cookie.
Soon after I got the news about Hailey my bossed called me, of course I was still beaming with excitement. I told him the good news and he said "that's because I was wearing the green ribbon" Obviously that is not the reason why Hailey had crawled but there is something to be said about the love and support that people can give to someone like Hailey, If we are all standing by her side cheering her on and encouraging her every step of the way (or in this case, crawl behind her....whatever it takes) what a tremendous force that would be. So I would like to thank all of my co-workers, family and friends who are sporting their green ribbons in support of Hailey and other children with Cerebral Palsy and remind everyone that Saturday is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. If everyone tells just one person that they know Hailey and she is someone with C.P but she is "NOT INVISIBLE SHE IS BEAUTIFUL" I would really, really appreciate that.

Conductive Education

As many of my friends already know, my family and I have been seriously looking into an alternative therapy for Hailey. Unfortunately we have decided to wait until next summer. Although I believe we should begin this therapy as soon as possible. Hailey just has too much going on this year. She will begin school in June (a tremendous transition for her from her current Early Intervention Program) and we are now beginning to train on a communication device for Hailey (A blog for another week) Conductive education is an intensive, multi-disciplinary approach to education, training and development for individuals with cerebral palsy. It is generally a five week program and it is not covered by insurance. We have enough savings for the first session but eventually we may need to look into having some kind of fund raiser for repeated therapies as it usually takes more than one session. Because there isn't a facility in Boston we had to look out of state for this and we have looked into three different locations. (For my fellow blogger parents of children with CP and spina bifida) I believe that this therapy may be one of the determining factors of whether or not Hailey walks. If she doesn't walk that's o.k. but we as a family have to know that we have exhausted all avenues. The first facility that we looked into was located in Winter Park Florida. I thought this would not be bad, I actually have a home in Florida and the kids would have somewhere to stay for 5 weeks, great that would save some money on expenses. After researching the next two facilities the one in Florida began to look a bit inferier. So we looked into one in Pincton Ontario. Although this was the most expensive of the three, somewhere in the ballpark of $9000.00 for the five week program that they recommended. I actually liked this one alot and you can actually live there in the facility for 5 weeks. Not too bad. This one to me looked pretty darn good. Then we looked at the one in Grand Rapids Michigan, this was half the price and seemed to have a program equivilant to the one in Canada. If you go to their facility you can also stay at the Ronald Macdonald House and a shuttle will bring you back and forth to the CE facility. In our opinion This is the one that looked to be the best program for Hailey. We now have a year to continue to explore and raise money before we make a definitive decision. In The mean time we will start to take our cue from Conductive Education Therapy and attempt to make some of the furniture that they use in their programs. If any one has any information on CE please post a comment. Also, March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month and I hope that all of my family and friends will be wearing green ribbons to show your support and love for Hailey and other children with her same disability. If you need to know where to get one I hope to be putting a list of locations up on my blog as well as on facebook in the next few days. if anyone who knows of a business that would let me put a jar of ribbons on their counter please let me know. Thanks, looking forward to hearing from you all soon. :o)

Another shot of The South End

8x8 oil on canvas board
$50.00

My weekend "recap" with Hailey

I spent a very satisfying weekend with Hailey. Giving Tommy and Natalie a short time alone is always my gain. However fitting everyone in my bed is a bit challenging. Usually when I go up to bed it is just me and Benny (my very spoiled yellow lab). Most nights Benny jumps up and lies on the bottom of the bed until he hears my husband coming up the stairs, then he quickly grabs his spot in the bed along side of me, head on his pillow and pretends to be asleep. My husband gets in bed and says "oh no you don't" and Benny grumbles hmmmmXO!%! and reluctantly goes back to the bottom of the bed, he knows that Tom will kick him off the bed if he doesn't, Tom can't stand it, he only puts up with it for me. Saturday night Tom comes up to get in his bed and between me on my side, Haily stretched out in the middle and Benny kind of at the bottom but inching his way up a bit, poor Tom only has bits and pieces of the bed to fit himself in, it was like a jigsaw puzzle. I pretend to be asleep because I don't want to give up what little space I had. Finally with much strategy Tom manages to fit himself in the bed and I hear him grumble "you have to be a contortionist to sleep in this house" I silently laugh to myself and think, thank God I have such a good husband.

Sunday morning I decide I am going to go food shopping and really take my time and make this an educational but fun trip for Hailey. We get to the supermarket and while going through the fruit aisle I hand Hailey a bunch of bananas, I say "mmm YELLOW bananas". She holds them as best she can, turns and drops them in the back of the carriage. I say "good job" She looks up at me and signs the sign for cookie. I say "I know honey we'll get a cookie later" and I keep strolling and I hand Hailey a pepper and I say, "mmm GREEN pepper". Hailey drops them in the back of the carriage. She looks up at me and gives me the sign for cookies, I reassure her that she will have one later. We get to the cookie aisle, of course Hailey spots the blue package that she is sooo familiar with... oreos. As I try and trick her and sneak quickly past them, her arm extended in their direction I say "Oh do you want cookies" and she smiles at me as if to say yes. I hand her the cookies and say "mmm Blue cookies" she holds them on her lap until I convince her to put them in the back of the carriage. She drops them in back and we continue to shop this same pattern repeated the entire time. (Thank God I didn't need eggs)! The whole time we are shopping i'm wondering how much Hailey is actually learning, is she understanding and retaining anything i'm saying? Then I thought, she is asking me for a cookie every five minutes, she must be wondering the very same thing... Is Grammie understanding anything that I am saying? When we finally get to the check out I start taking the items out of the back of the carriage and placing them on the conveyor belt, I can't help but laugh as I take out the crushed cookies, squished bread and a Mickey Mouse balloon. It is always a fun and educational adventure with Hailey.

Later that day Tommy and Natalie come to pick her up, It is dinner time and I suggest we go to Friday's for dinner, We are trying to get Hailey to interact with other people and also know that she can advocate for herself when she wants something. What she has learned for sign language is rather limited right now, we really need to start learning more words and begin to put sentences together, but since Hailey's signing repertoire mainly consists of the important things in life such as cookies, ice-cream and crackers we will let Hailey order what she wants for dessert. After dinner we tell her she needs to tell the nice man what she wants and she looks him directly in the eye and with her left hand she clenches her fist and gives the sign for ice-cream, of course we have to translate for him, it's easy to miss her subtle signs if you don't know what you are looking for. We clap for Hailey and praise her for her accomplishment. Hailey anxiously waits for the waiter to come back with her ice cream. He keeps walking by with plates of food, but he walks right by her. Each time she is looking and looking, not fully understanding why he is not bringing her ice cream right out. Every time he walks by, Hailey is giving him the sign for ice cream only he doesn't hear her, but we hear her loud and clear. We can't stop laughing. We knew exactly what she was saying. She was saying "hey, get over hear with my ice cream. To us Hailey speaks louder than words.

A Cerebral Palsy Thing

Today we started our day by bringing Hailey to a Doctor's appointment at Waltham Children's Hospital. This appointment was not because Hailey was sick, she was not getting a shot, she was not getting poked and probed, she was simply having a doctor look at her to see if her Bodysuit (what she wears to help her core strength) needed to be adjusted or if she would benefit from a new suit. However Hailey still screams bloody murder by the mere site of the doctor. I often wondered if she will ever get over this fear of the doctors, but the more I read about Cerebral Palsy the more I learn that it is in fact a Cerebral Palsy thing. What I mean by that is that Hailey is very uncomfortable with anyone outside of her immediate family. She has a very difficult time with strangers, with playmates and even at family outings or holidays when a lot of family get together. From joining networks like The Cerebral Palsy Awareness Group, and Exceptional Family T.V. I was able to learn that this is not uncommon for children that share her disability.
I thought that I would try and get Hailey used to being with people, after all she is starting school this summer and I think that this is going to be a very big adjustment for her, even traumatic initially. So off we went to story time at the Blue Bunny, I thought this would be a piece of cake, Hailey loves to read books. How bad could it be. Hailey watched all of the happy children skipping in the door and finding their bright colored floor mats, crowding all around her as they plunked themselves down on the floor. Hailey screamed and pointed to the front door. I wasn't about to let her get her way, I distanced myself from the group and tried to change her focus by showing her toys and trying to read her a book on the far side of the room. I must get a new bag of tricks, I had no choice but to leave, it was too disruptive and unfair to the other children.
How is Hailey ever going to transition into the classroom? I worry about this everyday. She is learning sign language but it is her own personal sign language. Because her motor skills are affected, unless you are around Hailey everyday you are going to miss the couple of signs that she has learned... I know that Hailey does not speak but her beautiful smile says more to me than words could ever say.