School solutions

It looks like we have found the right school for Charlotte! (In fact, her audio Doc was right and we have had a choice of schools for her.) She has been offered a place at a local primary school that has a nursery attached. The principal is wonderful, she asked me to come for a meeting to make sure they could meet any particular needs Charlotte has. After we discussed any classroom modifications (I said nothing in nursery aside from dark glasses), we walked around the school so the I could choose the room that I thought would be the most suitable lighting for her (love!). When I expressed concern about some steps that were red and marked with a black tread, she said, "We'll change it." What a delightful environment! So supportive and caring! They are even going to supply her with her own iPad! I am so looking forward to her starting there in September. I will be meeting with her classroom staff towards the end of the school year, they are going to set up the meeting to include her VI teacher from the council. I think I will take the Achromatopsia.info teacher's guide for them.

Party games

Charlotte had a great time at her sister's party this weekend. She took a while to warm up, but that is not surprising considering her recent disruptions with nursery visits. Once she did warm up, she ran around the room with the older kids, played pass the parcel and joined in a ballon catching game. It was really sweet - I love seeing the sisters look out for each other and enjoying each others company. She refused to wear her "brights" so she squinted the entire time. I have conditioned her into putting her glasses in a safe place every time we get home which means she won't wear any glasses indoors. I must talk her into wearing a different pair indoors.

Nursery no-show

Nursery didn't work out quite like I planned last week. Long story short: she's not attending nursery at present. I had a couple of reservations about this place: the staff were nice but it seemed more like a daycare than an educational environment and there seemed to be an atmosphere that was a little too relaxed (staff not in the room, sticking children in front of toys without guidance, incomplete toys, not knowing all the children's names). I was keeping an open mind because I am happy for Charlotte to be in an environment that isn't too ordered or pressured and it did seem very friendly. When I collected her on Wednesday, she seemed quite happy but she clutched her lunch bag all the way home. I know she likes the bag but I was a little surprised. Then I got home and opened the bag and there was her lunch, untouched. I knew she had been upset when I dropped her off and the fact she didn't eat lunch isn't a dealbreaker for me. What I was surprised about was the fact that they hadn't mentioned it when I collected her. I phoned and left a message, asking them to call me and explain what had happened. I didn't hear back from them for two days. I called again on the Friday morning when she was supposed to be attending again that afternoon. My message was that I was unsure if I should bring her in or not. No answer. I finally heard back from them on Monday afternoon. They said it wasn't a big deal, she was upset, she refused her lunch, they forgot to mention it and the person who collects the phone messages was out for two days last week so they didn't get my messages. I pointed out that there seemed to be quite a breakdown in communication here and it was concerning to me. When the teacher said that normally this wouldn't happen, I pointed out that this is all the experience I have of them so this is my reality, my normal, she didn't really have an answer. I am hopeful that Charlotte will be offered a place at another nursery so I decided that it is better to keep her at home rather than send her somewhere and then move her after a few weeks or months. I wanted to keep the door open so I asked her if I could take some time to think about it and send her next term. She said no, we're either in or out so I said out. Back to filling out application forms...

Nursery prep

I've barely thought about her first day of nursery on Wednesday. I've got her a new lunchbox and bag and I'll put a spare pair of sunglasses in there. We met the teachers and played for an hour a month ago but that's about it. Poor second child: so neglected!

Inspiration comes in many forms

http://www.ted.com/talks/caroline_casey_looking_past_limits.html I'm not sure how I feel about this woman's experience. She is clearly an inspiring speaker and will do a lot of good in the world. There is no such thing as too many positive role models! The part I feel most confused about is how her parents decided not to tell her that she was (is) blind. That is an incredibly brave decision to make and I don't think I could do it. But I worry that I should do it. This woman is a high achiever, David Blunkett (a former politician who was the Home Secretary) said he grew up not knowing that he was blind. Is that what it takes to achieve in the real world? A belief that you are no different from anyone else, a belief that can only be truly obtained if you really are never told that you are different? How is that even possible? Able-bodied people are all different in their own ways and many people have huge insecurities and self doubt. To me, making the most of what you've got is a huge part of attaining real maturity. Besides, I could never maintain a secret like that. I am naturally an honest person and I would feel like I was keeping a secret from her. I don't want her to feel like she has to work 20-100 times harder. She has a right to ask for help, in the classroom, in the workplace, get low-vision aids working for her, get disability allowance, get that fabulous blue badge for parking! Those things don't exempt her from a social contract, she still has to work hard, love others, do her best and make her life what she wants it to be. If she chooses to fake vision (as she well might) I understand but I can't do it. Is it my own selfishness, my need to talk, vent, explore, come to terms with this? All I can hope for is that we raise a well-rounded, confident child who loves herself. I'll let you know how we get on!

Pre-school plans

Charlotte has been offered a place at a little Montessori nursery from January. After all my angsting about schools for her, I am pleased that she has been accepted somewhere. She will be going three afternoons a week and we will see how she gets on. In fact, while I am interested in Montessori for her, this particular one isn't my first choice. I'm planning on moving her if she gets accepted elsewhere. It is fine for now and, if nothing else, it will get her used to being around other children and socialising that way. I'll report back when she starts.

Too dark!

I've been very neglectful of this blog recently. Life has been good, Charlotte is a total cutie who makes us laugh every day, and I have not had anything to say about Achromatopsia. No news is good news! I thought I would share this cute anecdote from this evening though: I had the light off in the kitchen and on in the hall outside. Charlotte said, "Too dark! Ligh' on in ki'ken!" So I had to turn on the light.