Today has been a good day. Cailyn returned to school this morning and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience! Right after we arrived, friends ran up to her and gave her a big hug and the set-up arranged for her while she’s recuperating is fantastic.
Cailyn will be spending the majority of her school time over the next weeks in the Resource Room. For someone who is challenged in her mobility, it’s a great solution in a school that has many layers of stairs! Before Cailyn’s surgery, I met with her Guidance Counsellor and shared my concern that she would miss out on some of the information exchanges that occur in a classroom as students ask questions. When I was in school, I can remember hearing the teacher’s answer to another student’s question and personally gaining an improved understanding of the topic being discussed. Her Counsellor’s suggestion was that Cailyn could view a class through something like Skype. This suggestion was well communicated to the support team in the Resource Centre and setting up this facility was accomplished today. Cailyn viewed her Math class via Google Hangouts. It’s absolutely amazing what tools are available to students and schools today!!
Within minutes of us arriving at the school, some additional support arrived in the form of an Occupational Therapist and a Vision Itinerant Teacher. Our home visits from an Occupational Therapist and a Physio-Therapist set Cailyn up for success on the home-front, ensuring she had the right tools and approaches to safely maneuver life at my parents house. And today, the professionals worked with us and the school to ensure she was set up for success on the school front.
When my Mom and I left the school, we were confident that we were leaving Cailyn in great hands! What a relief! She was “done” before the school day was but I know she feels the same way and is much more comfortable about heading to school tomorrow.
Onwards and upwards!