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Post by Jackie on Jun 5, 2009 15:29:31 GMT -5
I have posted to this many times...Emily doesn't drive and its by HER choice having had a bad go cart experience at Young Life Camp in Colorado in HS...she has no desire to even try.
I don't think that most kids or adults with DS have the judgement or reaction time needed to do this safely. They are somewhat like very senior citizens behind the wheel and even driving slowly can be a hazard.
HOWEVER...getting your license IS a Right of Passage for those over 16 and I think our kids should have a chance to at least take the test and learn to drive if their parents are ok with it. BUT...turning them loose with the car seems to me a bit risky (LOL as it is with most 16 yr olds...LOL).
I would really like for Emily to just try and drive...I think hers is a psychological hurdle that it would be good to get over, but I wouldn't want her to do much more than maybe drive the car around to park it...or maybe drive around the cul d sac to get the mail. Her BIL Tony has offered many times to take her somewhere safe to teach her. I am sure she could pass the book test and I think it would be good for her sense of direction.
Emily has some friends with mental retardation (non DS) who do drive and they do ok...but I am still uncomfortable having Em in the cars with them.
A car in the wrong hands can be a terribly dangerous weapon so this is an issue that each parent has to personally decide about. There was a time at the NDSC when boasting that your child had a license was a status symbol...but that now has been replaced by marriage ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on Jun 5, 2009 15:20:27 GMT -5
we've come a long way medically since Em was a babe...glad she is doing so well and will keep my fingers crossed for her.
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on Jun 5, 2009 9:16:11 GMT -5
I hope your test went well...we moms have to remember to take care of ourselves and being under stress and worrying about all of this can take its toll on us. Do whatever the doc suggests...maybe its just a blood pressure issue.
Thinking of you
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on Jun 5, 2009 7:42:35 GMT -5
Chloe...I LOVE that name! Yes please share a picture or two...and welcome to Uno Mas.
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on Jun 4, 2009 9:02:53 GMT -5
Thanks...those really sound cool...and at the Winchester House I see you can take a flashlight tour...LOL.
Offbeat attractions are just soooo much fun.
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on Jun 3, 2009 17:02:50 GMT -5
Ed and I just love quirky places like this... This is another fun place Quigleys Castle in Eureka Spgs Arkansas www.quigleyscastle.com/Love it...Ms Quigley built this house from stones collected since childhood...read the story!...also has great bottle trees in the yard.
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Post by Jackie on Jun 3, 2009 16:11:06 GMT -5
I have read about every thing ever published about this woman and her life because the story fascinates me.
However it is statements like this from a Larry King interview on the subject that really concern me .
Holden: I wasn't involved in any discussions like that. And I think Piers has a slightly closer relationship with her. ... The only thing I'm worried about with Susan Boyle is that she seems to have a crush on Piers Morgan. ...
I think that Piers kind of reassured her during the final that she was doing well and that she mustn't pay any kind of attention to the press and all the other stuff that was going
I was really impressed with the seemingly sincere interest that Piers Morgan seemed to take in her...but statements like the one above make me wonder about her ability to separate the fantasy from the reality of this experience.
I guess I worry too that while this could be a wonderful dream come true story with happy endings...it could also be a path to public ridicule in the long run and thats where all of us come in...or at least I feel I do. I know Emily can mistake goading and teasing for acceptance. I have never seen it actually happen to her in person but I know in the past it has. It is widely acknowledged that Susan has some sort of difficulty in learning and probably before this is all over we will all know (even though we shouldn't) exactly how severe it is. I guess I worry it could turn into a TROPIC THUNDER type situation and maybe not a Chris Burke ...Life Goes on story.
Any way it turns out...you can be sure I will buy a CD.
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on Jun 3, 2009 8:36:05 GMT -5
I used to worry about the same thing and I think its because since Em was the baby and there was about 6 yrs between her and the next one she did require more care than the others at that time of life. I also think that because of her needs she was 'on my mind' more than the other 3...not in my heart but on my mind. Therefore I often thought that all my time and energy was directed towards her. But when I really took the time to reflect I realized that much more time was spent driving the other three to different sides of town 24/7 and rounding up their supplies, fixing their meals and sitting at their various performances and soccer and other sports games. THEY were the ones really wearing me out and they never seemed to act like they wanted any more attention from me or Ed. I even nursed Emily under a poncho sitting on the sidelines between 2 soccer fields...LOL.
I think that if we let it happen our special needs kids CAN consume our lives so you have a valid concern. Emily had some pretty significant medical needs early in her life and sometimes it did seem like that had to always come first. But when a wee babe 'blows' a colostomy bag at the zoo...life does need to come to a temporary halt and a retreat to the trunk of the car for clean clothes is a must...and my kids learned to just laugh about things like that. I believe that if you set the example and the kids will follow your lead.
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on Jun 3, 2009 8:19:28 GMT -5
I think reality shows are getting out of hand and it bothers me that so often now we get our jollies from someone elses misfortune...that we seem to love to see those who seek glory, fame, and money sink lower and lower in the process. I must confess that I have enjoyed America's Got Talent in the early phases just to laugh at the absurdity of some of those acts and people. Some I do believe are intentional to get our attention...but others I am sure are naive sincere people who really do believe they have what it takes...but sadly really don't.
I think seeing Susan Boyle and the judges reactions initially and all the hype that has gone with her performance has made me relook at myself and hopefully cull out some of my inner nastiness in regards to people and situations that differ from me and my view of things. I hope now to become a kinder person and I still do worry about this woman because I want so much for her to succeed and realize her dreams.
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on Jun 2, 2009 8:03:14 GMT -5
Ok...confessing here...I am somewhat obsessed with Susan Boyle ;D First of all I do love her voice and to me Cinderella stories are always heartwarming. However, I am so afraid for this woman. I am also curious (all you UK guys) if they really mean learning disabilities in the sense the UK uses the term...which is the same as our word Mental Retardation. If so its obvious she is a very functional individual but seriously lacking in some social skills and judgement. This also makes me curious how she got on the show in the first place and am wondering if we know the whole story.
I fear for her as a person. I think while now the press is patting her on the back it is still poised to rip her to shreds if and when she does do a US tour. I hope that with all this medical attention that they are able to asses her and her find a mentor she likes who can accompany her and help her through the rocky parts.
I think of our own Chris Burke who is always flanked by his two good friends John and Joe when he tours and performs. I guess its the protective mom in me that goes to bed worrying about someone I have never met and probably never will ...LOL but nonetheless she is often in my thoughts.
I also have mixed feelings as to how the press will handle all this...it could be really good for people with disabilities living out their dreams or they could exploit this woman big time.
Does this worry anyone else?....
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on Jun 1, 2009 8:05:13 GMT -5
Oh Char...I understand perfectly...the anticipation and then the wonderful time that just FLIES by...sigh. I really wish we could think about moving near one of the kids...but it would HAVE to be Katie probably because for Emily to keep her funding she has to live in Texas. And unfortunately Austin is not a first choice for us...just too hot and humid. We have thought about looking at Rockport about 3 hrs away from them and on the coast.
I guess I will probably always be like you...anticipating...then enjoying...then grieving...LOL.
Jackie...ps...start planning your visit to them next.
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Post by Jackie on May 31, 2009 9:28:51 GMT -5
Kelly is just beautiful! I love her dress...they look soooo grown up for 8th graders...thats what my grandson Jordan is.
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on May 30, 2009 10:45:55 GMT -5
Ok..anyone here from Wisconsin or anyone who has seen this attraction there? Love watching the Travel Channel and thought this looked like just my sort of place...mixed reviews on line...so chime in if you have been. Not that we plan to go there anytime soon...but who knows...
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on May 29, 2009 9:16:54 GMT -5
I will pass this along to my Marnie who is a pediatric nurse in the area...she works with a lot of kids who have DS and might have some ideas.
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on May 29, 2009 9:15:08 GMT -5
yes it IS fun, isn't it... ;D I hope I can meet some more UNO MASERS in Sacramento this summer at the NDSC. I had fun meeting some in Kansas City...but that was a hard one for me because I had several agendas besides the NDSC while there. I was trying to finalize my family reunion plans for the next month in KC...and had a big problem with a blood pressure crisis myself...which thankfully has resolved so didnt really feel very good that whole weekend.
When we went to Vegas that was a fun time and I met Susan probably the earliest when I went to meet some from another list in Nashville. It is really fun to put a real person with their posts.
Jackie
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