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Thursday, April 1, 2010

Storytime in Kindergarten...







Oh if only this picture could talk! I think what this picture would say is " Yes, I have Trisomy 18. But I am not blind, deaf and severely mentally retarded!" Yes, I do have some developmental delays and I am non-verbal. At this point I don't walk, YET! At one point I didn't sit up either, but now I do. And recently I have begun going to Kindergarten for 30 minutes for storytime. I can sit on my own and listen and watch as the teacher read my class a story! My mommy came today to take pictures so everyone out there could see my new accomplishment. Can I just say that my mommy is so incredibly proud of me!!!!
Ok well that is Annabel's take on this story! Or maybe that is what her mommy would like so many to know about Trisomy 18. She really is so normal basically. She loves being read to and she loves other children. She can sit and mind the rules also. I am so blessed that in our last ARD that they listened when I asked could she spend sometime in a regular class with other children. They did the necessary paperwork and than began this right away. One thing is for certain is that I do not want Annabel moved out of her SPH class at anytime. We love her teachers and her class, it is just fun to see her experience a different environment.
Thank you all for your continue prayers. I have had some good suggestions concerning Annabel and her UTI's. Annabel has already done the prophalactic (sp) dose (smaller doses taken each day continously) of antibiotic twice now for long periods of time. She has had infections basically since she was 4 months old. She has become resistant to both of these antibiotics over period of time. She can now urinate on her own but they are wanting us still to cath her. These bacterias grow in all of our bodies (gut) but in Annabel's everything seems to overgrow. Antibiotics are a concern to us for all the normal reasons but especially because of her three bouts with c-diff.
My mind has gone blank of what the others were but we have done everything so far except a surgical procedure, one call vesicostomy and the other called mitranoff(sp). We are going back to Houston on April 13th to discuss what will need to be done further.
Our friend Mallorie still continues to struggle. She is more stable at this point but not really responding like need be. Their family for many reasons needs our prayers and support. If you are new here is her link: www.malmalrose.blogspot.com

15 comments:

Shari said...

What a blessing that she is progressing! Drs. really can't predict what our special needs little ones can or can not do. I love it every time we can prove medical science wrong. She is such a cutie! I love her curls!

Penny said...

Yay! I acutally had to clap! Annabel looks like she is really enjoying herself. What a big girl, she is just adorable as always! I love the intensity she has sitting watching them read the story.
Good for you to push so Annabel can stretch!

Holli Davis said...

Those pictures brought tears to my eyes....She can do it, and she looks so happy. Good for you for making it to where she could go for story time. What a precious girl you have there.
I am praying for her, and also you momma! :)
Thanks for the update!

Mrs Redboots (Annabel Smyth) said...

Great to see her sitting with so-called "normal" children her age and enjoying the story. There is much to be said for partial integration of special needs children into ordinary classes.

Kathy said...

You go girl!!!

Your mommy has every right to be so proud of you, Annabel! You show us all your joy, determination, strength and love.
Thank you precious kindergartner!!!

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Look at her in kindergarten! My Peanut goes in to the general ed kindergarten class 4-5 mornings a week. She sits, just like Annabel, and listens to the story. She bounces when they sing, and laughs when they all laugh. It's awesome! :)

polyhex said...

So precious!

connie said...

I forgot to tell you when we spoke that John and I were so touched by this post. We grinned at the pictures; Annabel is so adorable, and this was the best ever, to see her in story time. I can't wait to show this to Hannah.

Yin May said...

Cathy,

Thank you for the pix. I was so moved to see Annabel sitting up in class with everyone else! It would be a dream come true for me if Vera could do that too. (She is already sitting up for longer...so it looks promising). thank you for continuing to give hope to all of us!

Hilary said...

The pictures say it ALL..Annabel you are such a special girl and I think you are so AMAZING!! :) Hope you have a blessed Ester with your family too!!!

Team Carter Jay said...

She is simply amazing!! You go girl!

Unknown said...

What a big girl! I think it's wonderful that she will sit like that and listen to a story--I used to be a librarian, so I can appreciate it as well. Seeing this gives me so much hope for Lily. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

The photo was worth a 1000 words!

Easter blessings to your whole family. Barbara

Lauren Ford said...

ooo.... tears! Look at that big girl~ so proud of her for being such a fighter~ but all of this is thanks to God and to Kathy for pushing therapy for her to be able to sit this way! So proud of you both!!! Yay Anna!!!

Tamra said...

As always, so beautiful. She is the most tenacious person I know. She looks to be doing really well. I send my Love!!