Most mums will take photos of their new little kindy children. The children will be standing up, nice and tall, with a backpack on their shoulders. They'll be wearing a big grin and will be looking at the camera.
Mum wishes that for me, but my cerebral palsy has taken that away.
Mum and Dad will be so proud of me, on my first day of school.
They will take a photo of me, in my new school uniform.
I won't be standing... I'll be slouched against the lounge, or in my wheelchair.
I won't be carrying my backpack because my core strength will not be able to hold the weight.
I probably won't be looking in to the camera, because of my vision impairment.
And, I probably won't be smiling like the other kids... My smile looks a little different, because of my cerebral palsy.
And, I won't open my lunch box and choose what I want to eat.
Mum won't be sad about leaving me at school for the same reason as other mums.
She'll be worried I have no friends.
She'll be worried no one will talk to me.
She'll be worried I will be left alone.
She will be worried I am lonely and bored...
... And, there's nothing she can do about it.
At school, she won't be able to protect me.
She will wonder whether anyone will call me their friend.
Will they try to save a seat for me?
Will they want to sit with me at lunch time?
Will they ignore me?
So far, the other kids have been curious. The teachers have been supportive.
So far, I've loved school. I've been exhausted, but I've had fun.
Mum has felt her heart breaking, for the things I cannot do.
She's hated having to justify to people why I should even be at that school.
Some people do not realise how clever I am. They cannot see past my being non-verbal and having a vision impairment. They think that means I am dumb.
I'm not!
I've proven it to various professionals, who have said I am clever.
Sure, ask me how to count and I probably won't react.
Find a way for me to show you what I know! Give me a chance.
We love how the teachers at my new school are ready to try to find a way. They always say hello to me and have been trying really hard to get to know me. They give me time to answer, looking for a nod or a hand gesture.
The teachers are finding a way! They give us hope.
This week's been tough for Mum.
I've gone off to school every day and every day, she has pretended her heart wasn't breaking. We'll be ok... this is just another one of those little bumps that we have to get passed.
We know I will have many adventures. We are sure I will make a couple of good friends.
Because we always chase the rainbows and silver linings, everyone thinks Mum and Dad are as happy and cheeky as I am.
But, they are not as tough as I am.
They will be ok, they just need a little time to re-adjust. This is a big step for us.
#cerebralpalsy #raisingawareness #specialneeds
Mum was Crying in the Ball Pit
What a Dollar means to Dexter
When Wheelchair Stops Being a Dirty Word
About the Sisters
Dexter's 2013
Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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