Faith's Adaptive Skiing Adventure

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I am usually all for Faith trying something new. Years ago, though, I drew the line at adaptive skiing. I knew that Dreams in Motion does an annual event at Huff Hills (North Dakota's largest ski area), but I was too afraid to let Faith try it. I just didn't know how she would do being strapped down so tightly, especially with her high tone and issues with her left hip.  At her day program, some of her friends had been going for years and Faith thought it sounded like so much fun. So, this year, I decided we should give it a try. Since there are only 20 spots available for this event, I got her registered the morning it opened up.  Lots of fresh powder at Huff Hills  As the event drew near, I knew I needed to get snow pants for her (since she had none) and make sure I had all the right winter apparel to keep her warm. That was also one of my biggest concerns is her getting too cold, which can cause her tone to increase even more.  As the day approached, she was...
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Kindergarten: Half Days or Full Days for Faith?

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After agonizing and praying over the decision to send Faith to school for half days or full days, we finally agreed that half days would be more than enough. I am finding that even only with half days at school, her schedule is full. She is quite the busy little bee.

While she's at school from 8:30 to 12:30 five days a week, Faith has two occupational therapies, two physical therapies, two speech therapies, four sessions with her special education teacher, library time, music, recess and physical education. Not to mention a full one-hour feeding and time in her stander. I can understand why the school's recommendation was to have Faith in school for five full days a week. With all that she has to do at school, she is also there to learn academically. But it was ultimately her parents' decision and I believe we made the best one.

Faith getting some stander time in after school. 

When Faith comes home from her busy day at school, she has her second feeding of the day and then after that she can finally get stretched and relax. She is so tired after school and of course I can hardly blame her. I know full days would have been too much for her, especially in light of her upcoming schedule.

Next week, she gets to go back to MedCenter for one physical, occupational and speech therapy session a week, plus she gets to have her favorite, hydrotherapy. Along with all of her therapy sessions she also has a doctor's appointment to get her Mic-key button replaced and an eye appointment. This all makes for a busy mom as well!

School days are indeed busy ones but I know as a parent I can't get too caught up in the busyness. I have to take time for myself and I know Faith needs time for herself too. With all of the day-to-day decisions that need to be made, I must always remember to put Faiths needs above what others think is best for her. We know that when it comes to school, half days are best. We are in the minority, by far. I only notice a few other parents picking up their kindergarteners at 12:30. But that's OK, because for us half days are still full days.

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Faith's Adaptive Skiing Adventure

-
Image
I am usually all for Faith trying something new. Years ago, though, I drew the line at adaptive skiing. I knew that Dreams in Motion does an annual event at Huff Hills (North Dakota's largest ski area), but I was too afraid to let Faith try it. I just didn't know how she would do being strapped down so tightly, especially with her high tone and issues with her left hip.  At her day program, some of her friends had been going for years and Faith thought it sounded like so much fun. So, this year, I decided we should give it a try. Since there are only 20 spots available for this event, I got her registered the morning it opened up.  Lots of fresh powder at Huff Hills  As the event drew near, I knew I needed to get snow pants for her (since she had none) and make sure I had all the right winter apparel to keep her warm. That was also one of my biggest concerns is her getting too cold, which can cause her tone to increase even more.  As the day approached, she was...
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