What's the big deal about her being in school a few hours a day? Well, I am very protective of my girl(s) and the fact that Raquel cannot tell me about her day and what happened means that I need to have a great deal of trust and confidence in the people surrounding her. That's a tough one for me because I know how difficult she can be and how the slightest things can trigger behaviors. And I also know how simple behaviors can escalate into self-injuring ones if she's not redirected right away.
Mike came with me on her first day for moral support. That's what he said, anyway, but I really think he wanted to go to make sure I actually took her. :-) As soon as we got her out of the car, the bus driver spotted saw her and yelled, "Hey! Raqi!!" and Raquel cracked a big grin and started to laugh. It was very apparent that she knew exactly where she was. She then went over to the orthopedic class, who were waiting for their teacher to come get them, and they all seemed very happy to see Raquel and Raquel definitely recognized them.
The first day, I waited by the phone expecting her new teacher to call me to come get her. She never called. In fact, she hasn't called me once since she started back in school. She told me that she has promised herself not to call me and to, instead, work through the behaviors. Of course, there is a transition period and Raquel is beyond stubborn and wants to do things her way and when she wants to do them. But, her teacher is equally as stubborn and doesn't give in. And I think that is a really good thing. Raquel needs to learn that things can't always be on her terms. That just isn't how life works.
Raquel has now resumed all therapy in a school setting - speech, occupational, and physical therapy (they call it applied physical education now). I have not heard back from Rady Children's about scheduling speech sessions through our private insurance company but think this is still the only way I can honestly sit in front of Raquel's neurologist in January and say that she's had therapy. The new district speech therapist is very new - right out of college, actually - and has no experience working with kids who have special needs.
But, the cup continues to be half full. Raquel is talking more and more, tantrums are less frequent, and she's turning into such a beautiful little girl. I love her more than words can say. I am truly blessed to be her Mom.
Here are a couple of pictures from Halloween:
Gabby & her friend not wanting to pose for my pictures....
... until I told them they couldn't go to the carnival until they did...
... Raquel and her Dad....
... And me and my girl.
Raquel can be such a handful at times, and drains enormous amounts of my energy on a daily basis, but I never lose track of the importance of what I am doing and fighting for. And I refuse to give up. My Mom didn't raise a quitter and I know that she is really proud of me right now. But I'm sure she's telling everyone in Heaven that it's because of her I'm like this. :-)
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