Monday, May 16, 2011

My Heart Touched by a Bear Named Rainbow

Erica went to Build-a-Bear with her Brownie troop. They chose it as a special activity using hard-earned cookie money, and made a few extra bears to donate to Children's Hospital. She came home with a tie-dyed peace bear which she named Rainbow (aunt @[1090760922:Kimberly] will be jealous!). When I realized it had a sound chip in it I rolled my eyes. But I take back all my negative thoughts of a song-clip ad nauseum because this morning when I went to get her up for school she was holding the bear in bed and played it... "I see your true colors shining through... I see your true colors, and that's why I love you, so don't be afraid to let them show... your true colors... are beautiful like a rainbow."

I thought, "wow, what an appropriate song clip for a rainbow bear - and how lovely for my special daughter to have chosen it when it has a message that is especially important for her to remember." And then Erica said, "I wuv you too wainbow."

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Driver's test - check!

At long last, Erica has passed her driver's test. No, of course she is not 16. I mean the one where she goes to Children's Hospital and proves to doctors that she can maneuver a power wheelchair through doorways and down halls without mowing down people along the way. In gleefully posting this on Facebook, one of my fellow special needs moms commented that she hates that Erica had to "prove herself" to get what she needs, but loves that she is moving forward (literally - LOL!).

I understand why they have seating clinic and the driver's test, as we have come to refer to the process. But I continue to contend that they should have some sort of driver's training class for kids who need powered mobility, just like the schools offer driver's ed. for teenagers and automobiles. They say "well you can make an appointment and borrow a chair from the vendor to practice on for a month or two." But no one ever explains to parents how to teach their kid to drive one - and certainly no one offers to teach her for you! Erica has been practicing on and off for about six years!! The latest training period has been since November, when I started sending her to school in a chair that we simply lucked into that another kid had outgrown and was collecting dust in a garage. It's old, it has lots of quirks, it was rigged piecemeal in many ways by the previous owner, but it served its purpose.

And now, the paperwork has been filled out and the long process started to get Erica her very own, custom-built, made-to-order power wheelchair. The model that we agreed upon with the vendor can actually go up and down curbs and should have adjustable height. I can't wait to see her go to town in it - or, to the playground as the case may be. ;)