Q&A #191

Response to your first question and answer: I wonder if it's because it's only just in the last decade and in rare cases (special parents who didn't listen to "experts) the last two decades that anyone really tried to teach ppl with DS. IOW Low expectations leading to no results. 
Right, I think that has a lot to do with it! I am seeing kids (and of course adults) with Down syndrome reading ALL the time lately thanks to awesome blogs and facebook videos! :)


I seem to remember that you recommended a filter that you have on the internet for your kids' laptops. I have been trying to find that recommendation again, but I give up. Can you publish that info again? 
Yes! Kidzui, it is awesome! It blocks undesirable websites and only allows them on kid friendly sites and it sends you weekly reports of how much time your child is spending online and what sites they visited. We've loved it for Kass and Kam. Best of all, it's FREE! (Man, I sound like a commercial! LOL)


Is it just in Michigan now that the parents don't even sign the IEP? Just the principal signs it whether the parents agree to it or not. 
I have never heard of that before! How bizarre! How can the IEP go into effect if the team doesn't ALL sign that they agree to it? Like Linda commented back in the comment section, I think that's illegal. Any other states out there have this same practice? 


Is your Mom going to move to Colorado with you?
I honestly hope so. I know she has been a big help to you over the years and I am sure your kids will miss her very much. So either you need a house with a "Mother in law quarters" or she needs to house hunt as well. LOL!!
She's not sure yet. We definitely will miss her a lot. She's weighing her options trying to decide what to do. 


Way to go Kass + Kam! How much homework do they get? It always seems like they get so much....I think the most amount of homework per night I got in elementary school was like 30 minutes! 
They both seemed to have a lot of projects this year, but regular homework was probably about 30 minutes, usually less for Kameron, he sometimes finished his in the car while we were driving to pick Kellsey up from school. I'm worried about Kass for next year entering middle school, I remember having SO much homework then because each teacher would give like 20-30 minutes worth! She gets overwhelmed by homework easily. 


Renee, I just had an ECI evaluation of my youngest (he'll be 3 in December). Due to the experiences I've had with the school district with my older children, I don't expect them to fulfill my child's needs without a fight. Could you give me some links to get me started?
Yes! First, contact your local ARC to see if they have an advocate service. Also check out Wright's Law. They have a wealth of information on every subject. There's a search bar at the top that may help you out. You can also find them on Facebook.  And please buy that tape recorder and give the school 24 hours notice that you WILL be recording the meeting. You may never need that tape, but if you do, it will be invaluable to you later. 


YIKES... I remember that hairdo, on ME! I would love to see who buys that treasure and why..LOL!!! Hope ya'll do great with the yard sale. 
Haha! I'll have to have my camera handy and interview the person who buys it! :)


Remember, Kellsey will grow up one day and see these pictures - I hate to see what payback is going to be. Just remember you will deserve it whatever it is! LOL I can't wait to read the Kellsey blog and see how she responds to this one!!! 
Ahhh yes, I can see it now! I'll be 95 and in a nursing home and she'll be crimping my hair! LOL She actually liked it when I showed her in the mirror. :)


WHY did we think this looked good? And please tell me that even if you don't sell it you will donate it? It's for the greater good, I promise! 
Donate it where?! LOL It reminds me of the Sound of Music when Maria said she donated everything to the poor except the hideous dress she was wearing because the poor didn't want that one! LOL Poor crimping iron! 


We aren't tooooo far..i think i could make it there by saturday to get it ;) It would be a good excuse to come visit y'all before you move further away!
Come on over! I'll give you a good deal! LOL 


Crimping is soooooooo back in! (Well here anyway!) I just bought one for my Goddaughter, they are hard to find! I have mine from the 80's too....pulled it out for my daughter and her friends one night....
You may really want to hang on to that.....just sayin'
SEE!!!! I told you it was a treasure! LOL 


I will send you 3 dollars for it! I live in Colorado as you know so I cannot come to your yard sale but I want it!
HA! And it IS a wanted item! :) If it doesn't sell at our yard sale, I will bring it to you! 


I'm not sure if you've already answered this but.. does kellsey have denal issues? I noticed in a few pictures she seems to be missing teeth- or something- but in these you can tell there's some obvious gaps...
Ummm not really issues, but yes she does have two missing teeth on the bottom. When we first took her to the dentist they said that they (the teeth) may not be there at all. Many kids with Ds have missing teeth. They said it could also be due to malnutrition or who knows, they could have been knocked out in the orphanage somehow. That would have been REALLY weird though because it's the same tooth missing on each side. THEN a few months ago, we finally saw the tips of those teeth break through the skin, so they ARE there! :) We have no way of knowing how old she was when she got her first tooth, so it could just be delayed teething. Ironically, Kennedy was missing those exact same two teeth for the longest time and they finally came in when she was 3 1/2. Still waiting on Kellsey's to grow all the way in. 


I couldn't even think quick enough to make up a fake address! I guess lesson learned! next time get a license plate number and ask to see insurance card, and driver's license!!! Hope you catch up with her! Scour the phone book or google her!!!! 
I know, right?! She drove away from the scene because she said her son was having a seizure and Frank didn't get her license number. We have been searching google and facebook! haha


Oh that sucks! Is her husband in the military? Can you go through them if he is? 
He is. Frank is trying to track him down now. 


I'd say you should have gotten a police report, but it probably wouldn't have helped since it was in a parking lot. 
We do have a police report, but she took off before the policeman got there so all Frank could give him was the info that this Jennifer lady gave to him. 


I would call her insurance company myself. Could be she really does not have insurance at all. I hate to say that but there are lots of people out there that do not have any.
I did call and they have no valid account with Safe Auto. They used to though. *sigh*


Do you have uninsured motorist in TN? Had it in CA and oh it was great. Worked easier than when the other person HAD insurance. Isn't your insurance supposed to be the one to go after the other person?
We do actually, we're going to check into it today and see how much it will raise our rates. It's going to be pretty hard for our insurance company or the police to go after this girl without a valid address. We're still working on tracking her down.