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Post by michellew on Oct 23, 2009 13:03:40 GMT -5
Hi, I belonged to this group years ago but lost touch with you all. I can't remember my old log-in name so I'm re-introducing myself. Michelle in California, and my beautiful daughter Rachel is 17, a high school junior, happy and and healthy, and just happens to have DS.
I also have 2 sons, one with autism, so my time is limited, but I'll try to stop by from time to time!
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Post by steffipoo on Oct 23, 2009 14:11:07 GMT -5
Hi Michelle.... My name is Stephanie and I have an 11 almost 12 year old named Olivia with ds. I think I remember you from when I first came on here in about 1999-2000. How is Rachel doing? How is school? Where in California are you from? I live in Westchester/Playa Del rey right next to LAX airport. Dawn who's here as well lives close by me too. Love to hear more about Rachel. Any and all puberty advice is warmly welcomed from me. Take care and hope to see you here again. (((HUGS))) Steff
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Post by michellew on Oct 23, 2009 16:40:17 GMT -5
Rachel's health is good, after early bouts with major heart surgery (worse than the norm), ear plugs which left a hole in one eardrum, and hearing loss from oxygen given at birth. She handled (and continues to handle) puberty much better than we had feared. We wrote a social story for her about what would be happening to her body and what she needed to do to take care of herself and she is pretty independent with that part. We just have a smidgen of teenaged attitude, but for the most part she is proud of being a "big girl" and behaves appropriately. She is not interested in boys yet; however, she has no concept of stranger danger so we keep a vigilant eye on her. I recently badgered the school district into buying an excellent social-sexual education program for developmentally disabled teens called SEEDS, and those classes should begin next month.
School - well, I've been fighting for full inclusion with modified curriculum and supports since 1st grade with mixed results. Right now she has life skills, math and reading in a special ed classroom, and PE, computer skills and world history in the mainstream. She likes school and feels very secure there and is slowly progressing on her IEP goals. The Best Buddies program is the best!
I used to live in L.A. but am now just outside San Diego.
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Post by steffipoo on Oct 24, 2009 12:32:24 GMT -5
How cool sounds like rachel is fabulous young lady. I know my girl Olivia is a great girl I really enjoy her. Olivia is part of best buddies too and she loves it. Interested in looking into the SEEDS program for her school I think I will go google it up. Olivia has a "husband" at school and is very interested in boys. Ya know there is a great book by woodbine house regarding sexual and social boundaries. I'll post it next here for you. I went to SDSU I love San Diego. Love their zoo. The only 17 year I knew(ME) who had a yearly pass to the zoo. lol... Glad to hear more and would love to chat one day. Take care and will post the link next post. K??? (((HUGS)) Stephanie
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Post by steffipoo on Oct 24, 2009 12:33:25 GMT -5
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Post by Claire on Oct 24, 2009 12:35:02 GMT -5
Hello Michelle, nice to ahve you back. We are parents to 4 children, live in Northern Ontario, Canada in a small community where Adam is the only child with Down syndrome so this site is my Haven. ;D
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Post by Googsmom aka Jennifer on Oct 24, 2009 14:22:42 GMT -5
HI HI HI HI HI Welcome to Uno, again
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Post by michellew on Oct 24, 2009 16:26:45 GMT -5
Good to be back - I'll check in as often as I'm able
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Post by CC on Oct 25, 2009 22:05:40 GMT -5
Looking forward to hearing more about you and yours CC from New Jersey ~
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Post by char on Oct 28, 2009 19:46:05 GMT -5
Welcome back, Michelle. I'm Abby's grandmother. She's now an active, happy and funny little four year old who is in pre-K. She lives far from me, but I talk to her daddy at least five times a week to get the scoop on what she's doing.
So far she knows and verbalizes her colors and shapes. I was just there and after breakfast we brought out the flash cards. I asked for a green triangle and I got a "geen trigle" and just loved it!!!!
I just love Abby more than words can express, and I'm learning so very much here. People have been so kind and loving and most of all, so very helpful.
Char
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