Getting Ready for School

So the big day is coming when Nick is starting his first day of school and joining his sister

We have done first day of school twice before (JK & SK), but it was sending Nick to a smaller school, with a lot of support. This is sending Nick to a larger school, with less support and with lots of friends and kids who already know him

We had our pre-school meeting this week to make sure that we have everything in place for Tuesday. We had the school Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Nurse, Special Education Teacher, Education Assistants, and Teachers. We went through how he transfers, and moves into his equipment, what equipment he actually has at school (standing frame, walker, school chair,  computer, canes, toilet supplies).

We showed Nick around his classroom and made sure he could get out the fire door (there is a step).

The classroom was set up so we knew where Nick was sitting and could see how he gets around the classroom.

We adjusted his school seat so that he is more supported. One of the things they had on every desk was erasers (which is on the latex list), but we checked and they are all latex free

 Nick was very nervous when we started. There were a lot of people that he didn't know, and he was the center of attention and we were all wanting him to do stuff. They wanted to see how he walks with his walker, so he walked around the room, sooo slowly and carefully. I had to laugh because I said he usually is much faster!
It took a while, but he did become more comfortable and he was soon racing around his classroom and telling everyone all about Ninja Turtles and different Avengers.

They  have a nurse coming in for the first little bit to teach the EA's about Nick's bathroom stuff. I am going to be going into the school on Tuesday to try to give them some pointers as well, all of those little stuff that works for Nick but isn't in any checklist.

Talking with the teacher we also talked about me sending in a pamphlet with some information about Nickolas to go to his fellow students (and parents). The teacher pamphlet is too detailed, and I wanted something with information about the equipment and also that the equipment is not a toy.

I wondered about putting my blog on it. I know from other families that it is findable, it isn't secret. So I thought it wouldn't hurt to have it on as a potential resource.

I just have to print off 30 copies of this for the first day of school. I also have a change of clothes, some gauze and tape (if the MACE leaks), a teachers guide to hydrocephalus, and a couple of the teacher handouts for the first day.

I'm hoping we are ready as ready as we can be for school on Tuesday!

More Walker - getting comfy!

I am so glad that I pushed so hard for this thing!
I am so glad that I knew it was the right time, even if I wasn't quite sure he was ready for the walker now, I still wanted it to get him used to it.
Becasue I thought it would take weeks of him getting used to it.
But he knows exactly what he is supposed to be doing with it.

We got the walker on Kyle's birthday (July 25th) and took it to the cottage for our family reunion (July 30-Aug 1). And by the end of the weekend, when you put Nick into the walker he starts moving his feet into steps.

Not actually walking, not weightbearing and moving the walker - but he'll hold your hands and pull himself and make the stepping motions. I think every day he is getting better and better!
Katheryn loves helping him to move his feet and she lies on the ground and pulls him over her! They both think it's great! Katheryn might not enjoy it so much when he actually starts getting it moving and walks over her!

Inside or outside we've been putting Nick in it. Sometimes it's for only a couple of minutes and then he fusses and wants out, and sometimes he'll be in it for a while. We go between using it when he's just staying still. And helping him to move, but telling him to step, and when he makes the step (one foot and then the other) we move the walker.

I still can't beleive how quickly he's picked it up! As soon as he's in it, he's stepping and wanting us to pull/push him. So he knows the motions, now it's using weight and motions to make movement!
He actually did make it move this week. And for what? Trying to reach the open door because he wanted out, he was reaching and moved it about 3cm - boy was he surprised!

When we were packing up the van to go to the cottage Kyle hadn't realized that I wanted to take the walker - the bulky, does not fold down, weighs 20lbs, pink walker. I told him that taking the walker was not negotiable. If I had to leave the tent and take the walker, I would.

We did get it packed. And we were able to have a tent over our heads!

Something borrowed...

And it's shiny and pink!

The day came when we got to finally get our hands on one we could take home! (And I really don't care that it's pink, actually kinda purple. Maybe a Fuchsia colour).

I just knew that once Nick was at home, and Katheryn was there that he would take to it alot better.

This was walker trial #2. See how he's pointing to the floor, how he wants down!

When we got home I immediately put him back into it.

Katheryn saw him in the walker, crying and she said "Oh Nick, don't cry! Look funny face!" And was trying to make him laugh.

It worked for a couple of seconds, and then I let him down. I've heard from other parents that this is a normal transition period and sometimes it can take a while.
So we were working in little bursts of walker-trial times.

Katheryn also thought that the walker was a great toy for her.
See her I'm-not-listening-to-you face! How can you not laugh at this attitude! But she does know that she can't play with it.

When Katie (our infant development worker) came for our visit, Nick went back in!
And we got a smile!

And we got Nick to 'walk' to Daddy!
Nick was not too happy about this, but when he got there, he was able to get out!

But we eventually got Nick more comfortable in the walker, Katheryn making a large part of that happen.

 She thought this was great!

And Nick thought that this wasn't too bad of a thing to have too!

Even Sammie got into it! (Better watch out!)

So this was our first day of  walker borrower-ship. We have it from the preschool outreach program as a loaner until (if) someone in the program needs it. And in the meantime it stays with us until we decide what we want and what we should order for our  own.
I have a feeling that THIS is not the one, but it is perfect for what we need it for now - but I guess time (and Nick) will tell us what the right one is.