Thank you everyone! Catherine, I never knew about your Dad's birthay being today also. How neat! Hope he and his wife are getting on well, as I know it's hard on you to have them so far away geographically. Makes checking on them a bit of a challenge, I realize. Just yesterday I took food to Eric at the pharmacy and spotted Joe Lakota's new cover at Walgreens.....beautiful.Today is my 41st birthday. This summer I've been away from home seven weeks counting Tori's learning center stint in Indiana and our family summer vacation. I haven't been away for so long since I studied in Spain the entire summer of 1995. So, I am so glad to be home for my birthday....even if that is my only present!
It's kind of sad to realize I'm truly middle aged now. Mentally I feel young, and although I realize I have lots of living to do (I do know this) there is something daunting when I'm interacting with folks and suddenly discover I'm a decade older than them etc. Or that they don't remember life without computers, yada yada. It's a change.... and, I know many of you here have been there. Sadly, I can no longer see fine print near as well and need to visit the eye doctor but have had no time. Speaking of computers, I think working via computer over the past two years may have contributed to this, but who knows? My husband laughs at me, as he has had glasses since second grade, and so does Tori. He says it's time I join the ranks, but he thinks I probably only need reading glasses.
Today, on my birthday, I have a meeting with an expert on assitive technology for Tori in about fifteen minutes. The lady will bring keyboards and other software for Tori to manipulate. You see, having a computer in school will help her to organize her thoughts better on paper (screen). There are programs which will help her choose words, read them back to her as they are on the screen, correct any reversals, etc. These programs basically help her to form complete sentences by trying to anticipate which word she needs next, and even provide suggestions for her. It prompts correction of errors as well, some even doing it automatically. I believe the correct sentence is even read back to her. The finished documents can be put into Word or other program and printed off perfectly when completed. With having CP (makes handwriting a bit harder) plus language processing issues, it may help her tremendously for the future, but she must start using this technology now as a youngster.
Just last week I read an article about two twin gals who were born a bit early due to complications who are now adults....and bestselling authors!!! I believe that they publish young adult mystery books. With dyslexia and other issues somewhat similar to Tori, they use assistive technology to help them write their books. I was really encouraged to read this, to realize that there are ways to work around disabilities and it confirmed to me all the struggle I've endured this past year is going to be worth it for her in the long run.
I had previously asked the school to provide this for her but the response was "If we thought computers would work then we would buy her two!" I imagine they have failed with trying this for children because you can't just put a computer in front of them and then leave the room. The child must have keyboarding training etc. and the teachers must integrate the device into the classroom and curriculum. Now, since the legal settlement that sent Tori to the learning center, the district of residence has now been required to provide us with this expert technology. So, I am hopeful this can make a difference. Already she has been reading signs and sounding out new words like crazy, so I know that the Lindamood Bell center made a huge impact already.
Thanks to all of you who have been in touch of late and especially those of you who were so sweet to remember me today. I am touched and my heart warms as I type this reply. How fortunate I am to have friends like you!
All my best,
Stephanie Vogelsong
stephvogelsong@aol.com
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LighthouseLady/Lynda