Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Nov. 11th
Melinda is doing well. Working hard every day. We haven't heard anything about the rehab in Dallas TX. We will just keep praying. Melinda received her seasonal flu shot, H1N1 shot and her pneumonia shot. She couldn't afford to get sick since her immune system is not strong. She is wanting to go to school really bad. We are talking to the school about getting started on her senior year. Melinda asks, Am I going to school today"? Melinda will need an aide to help her the whole time she is at school. To help her to each class, to the bathroom, etc. Melinda's writing is improving. She is using her right hand to write. Her writing is legible and easy to read. We had an appointment with her doctor. Dr. Kirkendall said, "Melinda has improved in the last 6 weeks. She has built up more strength in her arms and legs. He wants her to build up her thigh muscles. This will help with her balance. Melinda showed Dr. Kirkendall that she could walk by her self. He was amazed at her progress. He will see her in another 2 months. Dr. Kirkendall gave Melinda a pep talk. Told her that God has a plan for her. Told Melinda she could have died, but there was reason that she didn't die. Dr. Kirkendall told his story about when he was 17 yrs old he was injured badly. It took him 3-4 years to heal. God saved him for a reason. That Melinda has a second chance. We got paperwork back from social security. Melinda has been deemed disabled. Only for now, not forever. Melinda's custom wheelchair is being delivered tomorrow from OKC. Praise God we don't even have to use the wheelchair very much. Melinda will like it, she ordered a pink one with white spokes. Please continue to pray for Melinda. Melinda is improving every day and we thank God for all his blessings. God Bless you.
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Christie, don't forget to call or write me if you need help with the school. They should also provide her with Text books on tape since she can't read as fast anymore and she has the vision problem - we don't want to strain her vision just to get her thru school. Don't let them tell you other wise....they CAN get them. Since she has short term issues, she should be able to have a tape recorder in class for lectures or class instruction, notes from the teacher about her teaching, hand outs for anything the teacher puts on the board OR the aide or another student can copy it for her. Her tests, because of her short term memory problems should be shortened tests.
ReplyDelete..tailored to her only... multiple choice with maybe 3 answers to choose from. The tests should be no more than about 20 questions. You can judge what you think she can do at any time and adjust it if necessary. You must be specific when you ask for this and make them WRITE IT on the IEP not just agree by voice, but not write it down. The basic premise in special education law is IF IT'S NOT IN WRITING, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. That includes phone calls between you and school admin, just jot down a quick date time and brief summary, like Mrs martin agreed divide long test into two parts. That has won us more cases by settling out of court when they see the parents have all this documentation. I have dealt with kids with special needs and schools for years now and advocated all the way to state mandated mediation. I'm going to another Special Ed Law Seminar the first week of December to get caught up on the newest regulations and court cases. Let me know if you need ANYTHING! I can come up there for any meetings and the attorney I work under can be on standby for any questions during the meeting. I don't want Melinda to get just what they will give her, I want her to get what she deserves and CAN get to help her succeed her Sr. year. You still have my card....:)
You might apply to see if you can qualify. Actually, if SHE is 18, SHE qualifies by herself because her only income is disability.
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Dr. Kirkendall is absolutely right. Keep working hard to regain your strength and always, always seek God's plan for you. Give him all the praise and all the glory! Love you!
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