Tomorrow.......

Tomorrow............

Tomorrow is Emma Sage's IEP and annual conference [this will be the first time since the beginning of school that I will have a conversation with Emma Sage's teacher or case manager]..............same as my older children, we get one conference a year, but for some strange reason, it feels very strange to me...........

So tomorrow is the day I dread. I truly dislike this aspect of having a child with a disability...........the whole IEP and evaluations process is just something I dislike. I look at my daughter [the same as I do for her older siblings] and see a child who is unique and the possibilities are endless....................I see a child who needs to be taught and supported and encouraged [not something to classify, segregate or pick-apart because she is not 'typical'.]

We have a good school district, don't get me wrong.............over the last few years the movement for inclusion has been front and center.

So I was reading and found a wonderful quote that I will latch on to tonight and carry with me tomorrow.

"Compromise, if not the spice of life, is its solidity." ~Phyllis McGinely

The bottom line is.............

I will be affable. I will try to see the other person [the special ed team's] point of view. I will be flexible but trust my instincts. I will pay attention to every single detail and I will not let my 'weepy, cry at the drop of a hat' get in the way of seeing these details.

As Janis Joplin once said: "Don't compromise yourself, You are all you've got"................and I transfer that over to my precious Emma Sage..................I will never compromise her,,,,,and her right to be educated in the least restrictive environment and given every tool and support for her to succeed!

and I go into this meeting with the response from my advocate that is coming with me......"Great Goals For Next Year, I'll see you at noon!"

Ah.......................do you think I will sleep well tonight?!?