Home away from home. People I had never met before became close friends. Was it the immersion effect of dropping into a destination with outcomes unknown that made us reach out and hold on to one another? Was it the buffet of choices at our fingertips opening new directions for our written words? Was it the intimacy of prayer with our Almighty Father who grounded us with others to define our purpose?
I think it was my husband, my balance, backing me and pushing me to go and see for myself. I think the drive at 75 m.p.h. felt like freedom racing down the road to begin the rest of my life. I think the next few moments of my first evening were the determining factors of, "Should I stay, or should I go?"
I arrived at the Mount Hermon site as darkness settled in the redwoods. I followed the road leading to my cabin, circling the maze of twists and turns in the dark. Cabin numbers were nearly unidentifiable and I questioned my decision to keep seeking without help. Fear and doubts, held at bay, invaded with chills as I drove up the steep driveway to the rustic cabin. I parked the car and walked across the moist dirt to the front door, opening the torn screen door first, then inserting my key in the darkened lock. Every horror flick I hid my eyes from came to mind as I reached around for the light switch on the wall.
"Why was this so difficult?" I questioned, as I opened doors and turned on lights. A slanted picture of an old woman praying with her Bible hung on the wall in the dining room, twin and full beds were arranged with antique furniture decorations in two separate bedrooms, an open closet had what appeared to be a child's white dress hanging in the closet. By now I was so freaked out that I didn't think I could stand it any longer. But I prayed, "God, I know you are here with me. This isn't funny, but I can see the humor in this."
I burned electricity and texted my daughter until I heard the doorknob turn an hour later. I jumped up to greet the roommate staying with me for the weekend. Only a youngster, it figures...Fantasy/Sci-Fi writer to boot. I had some interesting theories about the house we were living in. Child's First Communion dress in the closet? Only my roomie's white blouse. God does have a sense of humor, and He was with me all the while.
Thank God babies start out small and grow slowly. This gives me a chance to keep up with the joys and challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome. The biggest blessings have come from getting involved with individuals who have Down syndrome and their families. They are my close friends, my confidants, and my heroes. Diane Hobaugh
About Me
Dancing With My Girl
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Funding and Education: Essential Components for Success in Early Start
Hannah and I were out the door and on our way to the 5th Annual Legislative Breakfast by 7:20 a.m. You can imagine how successful I felt just getting out the door with coats and smiles on our faces at that early hour. We had a job to do. I was speaking as a parent and board member from Becoming Independent, to all of the Sonoma County Service Providers and Legislators in attendance. This was a great opportunity to tell a personal point of view, with my daughter by my side.
Early Start is not:
Therapy….but it comforts parents.
A University….but it is a catalyst of learning, prompting parents to want to learn more, and seek higher learning to help themselves and their child.
A Big Box Store…but it is a one-stop wonderland of instructors, specialists that promote best practices in early childhood education, bringing individualized education to the forefront.
Early Start is not:
Threatening and isolating…It is warm and inviting, encompassing a body of families and children in a supportive learning environment.
Early Start is not limiting…Parents ask questions and find answers while socializing.
Early Start is not to be taken lightly, or discarded…It builds the foundation of learning for children, encompassing entire families.
Early Start is the reason I believed in my new vocation as teacher in my own home. The lessons I learned with my eight-month-old in small groups at Early Learning Institute were the beginnings of daily and weekly practice sessions that have never stopped. The specialists in OT (Occupational Therapy), PT (Physical Therapy), and SLP (Speech and Language Pathologist), are the reasons: my daughter runs with a beautiful gate on the soccer field with her team, climbs monkey bars with ease, writes with a pencil and even plays chords on a Ukulele, speaks effectively and confidently to her friends, attends a first grade class as a fully included student with an assistant, reads at the top third of her class and laughs at the humor in the stories, and shares friends that she has known all of her life from her beginnings at Early Start classes.
Given the option of co-pays, or other means of private pay...these programs won’t be chosen. Support Early Start programs with legislature that supports parents and children through funding and education. Hannah closed with a passage from the book written by Mia Hamm, Winners Never Quit. Give all children a chance to play the game and win in life!
Early Start is not:
Therapy….but it comforts parents.
A University….but it is a catalyst of learning, prompting parents to want to learn more, and seek higher learning to help themselves and their child.
A Big Box Store…but it is a one-stop wonderland of instructors, specialists that promote best practices in early childhood education, bringing individualized education to the forefront.
Early Start is not:
Threatening and isolating…It is warm and inviting, encompassing a body of families and children in a supportive learning environment.
Early Start is not limiting…Parents ask questions and find answers while socializing.
Early Start is not to be taken lightly, or discarded…It builds the foundation of learning for children, encompassing entire families.
Early Start is the reason I believed in my new vocation as teacher in my own home. The lessons I learned with my eight-month-old in small groups at Early Learning Institute were the beginnings of daily and weekly practice sessions that have never stopped. The specialists in OT (Occupational Therapy), PT (Physical Therapy), and SLP (Speech and Language Pathologist), are the reasons: my daughter runs with a beautiful gate on the soccer field with her team, climbs monkey bars with ease, writes with a pencil and even plays chords on a Ukulele, speaks effectively and confidently to her friends, attends a first grade class as a fully included student with an assistant, reads at the top third of her class and laughs at the humor in the stories, and shares friends that she has known all of her life from her beginnings at Early Start classes.
Given the option of co-pays, or other means of private pay...these programs won’t be chosen. Support Early Start programs with legislature that supports parents and children through funding and education. Hannah closed with a passage from the book written by Mia Hamm, Winners Never Quit. Give all children a chance to play the game and win in life!
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