Direct Violation

I never realized how I love those words. They're like a songbird singing on the windowsill on a bright sunshine morning.

I was told by the BOE (Angie Carvelli) after calling to file a "formal complaint" on the missed meds that it was a Citizen Complaint, not a Special Education Complaint. Found out directly from the state today; they are wrong. And the lady that we spoke to from the state became agitated that it seems that the school, the County office and the staff are trying to blow it off as such. So that's fine. I'll fill out their little paper and turn it into the school, but I will follow it up by also filing online at the state level to see that it gets attention. Actually it seems we've made just the right connections at state level. I heard from a source inside the BOE, but cannot confirm, that the BOE used special education funds to place new turf on Bridgeport field. Whether that is true or not, I can't say. And while it is not the intention of this blog to found unsubstantiated rumor, I wouldn't be surprised. The Harrison County Board of Education (IE: Carl Friebel, Vic Fisher, Angela Madia, Angie Carvelli) have not been the least bit cooperative in any way, and have, in fact, made this struggle a very, very personal one. So, in deference to the uncooperative spirit of this board, I will do my best to win this fight, regardless of how difficult this may make their lives. They've certainly not made Faith's any easier.

I'm usually not an evil person. But the day of the IEP meeting when I left there in tears and for the first time felt like throwing my hands in the air and screaming "Fine... you win. I quit!!!". Then I got pissed. I was pissed because they actually got me to a point that I felt like giving up. But then I realized if I gave up on this, who would there be to fight for Faith? She can't fight for herself and it is my duty as her mother to fight for her. Period.

Then the aide, oh yes that aide. Well she crossed the line with her tone and "I didn't do anything wrong" attitude; now it's personal. Very personal. And I'm done. I'm sick of trying to be understanding and nice about this. I'm sick of people looking at these kids as only their salary. Don't get me wrong, not everyone in special education is like this; but the ones that are should perhaps apply at McDonalds drive thru, it doesn't take much skill to flip a burger or two.

This is MY daughter and I will fight for her to the end and now in FULL FORCE. I'm done. Done being nice. Done being understanding. Done with putting up with the excuses and the attitudes. Done with the bullshit.

I'm sure that the BOE has made plenty of mistakes that need brought to the State's attention. So I will now make it my personal goal to see that they pay for what they are doing to these children.

If you're a parent of a special needs child and you're also sick of the excuses and attitudes; please join us in this fight. We're all that our children have.

Truth and Consequence

Being faced with the truth sometimes isn't a pleasant experience, especially when it comes to people. Consequence, on the other hand, is never pleasant.

This morning I was faced with truth; she was faced with consequence.

I dropped Faith off for her last day of school. She's missed the last 3 days becuase she's not been feeling well. Upon me dropping her off I took in some flyers for our Poker Run as the aides there said they would be interested in participating and hanging up flyers around their town. I, of course, was glad to comply since it seems this is the only way that we can succeed in bringing attention to this matter; word of mouth.

I placed Faith in her stroller and went to hand the flyers to Maletha. She immediately denied recieving them stating "I can't hand those out, I'm not going to support the poker run anymore." I was a bit taken back and thought that word had gotten around that she was interested in this cause and perhaps it was her job in jeopardy. Of course, I would not want to do that. I then told her "Ok, I'll just stick them in Faith's bag and if you could let Lisa know they're in there." Again she declined and I then realized her harsh and short tone. I was curious as to why her support had all of a sudden vanished.

She then went on to inform me that she had read Faith's blog and no longer wanted to support this cause. She didn't need to say anymore, and while I realized why she had taken a turn; I didn't fully understand her reasoning. First, the blog entry dated September 30th must be read before understanding anything further. Maletha was the aide/LPN that failed to give Faith her seizure meds. Now, any parent has their child's interest first and foremost, especially parents of special needs children who have watched their children endure so much. This is what pissed her off to the point not to support this cause? And yes, this from a person who stated that she fully understood how these children are suffering in the school system.

Now take a moment to think about this, if you will. I have thought and struggled with this all day. This "employee" of the school system is upset because she didn't do her job??? Upset that I, as a parent, felt strongly enough about what had happened to state it openly and rightly so in an online blog?? SHE is upset???? How does she think I felt finding out that my child failed to get the medication she REQUIRES on a daily basis. And I don't have the freedom to do so? Well pardon me for being upset over this, but it seems that one would find it more strange that a parent NOT get upset over something like this. I felt that blogging about it was something I had every right to do, I didn't call the BOE and file a complaint on her for not doing her job and by all means that is something I definitely could have done; and can still do, and may still do.

"My husband, nor I or any of my friends will participate in the run", was her final statement to this matter. I asked how it was she felt this right, I reminded her that it was HER mistake that she didn't administer Faith's medication and reminded her statement in "knowing what these kids go through by working with them on a day to day basis". I find it very hard to believe that anyone would withdraw their support from a cause because of something that was nobody's fault but their own.

I left upset; very upset. I didn't even want my daughter around this woman. I found her to be hateful and dishonest; these kids are her salary and that's it. If these kids meant anything at all to her, what I stated in an online blog (which, may I mention to be nothing but the truth) would not stop her from being supportive.

I met Tim back at the school within 15 minutes and pulled Faith out of school. Her last day of school for the year was missed all because an aide cannot face the consequences of something she was at fault for.

In all of the 5 years of dealing with issues from the school board, I had never felt once for it to be personal; before today. Now, it's personal. It's personal for my little girl, for my family and it will be personal from anyone who crosses our path. The boxing gloves are on and in full force; we will not hesitate to hit below the belt.

Correction to blog entry 9/30/06

NOTE: The blog entry on 9/20/06 was incorrect. The aide that I mentioned “Lisa” was not the correct name. The correct name is “Maletha”. My apologies to Lisa, at that time I was unaware of their names and now that all this is brought to attention I wanted to make that correction.

Sponsors

Well, this has truly been a learning experience; I'll give it that if nothing else. Being our first year we need some type of guidance and we've gotten some here and there.

We finally did round up enough locations for the ride. Unbelievable that people wouldn't even be one of our stops. All of them practically fell into our lap except one, our hometown. I was so disappointed and frustrated be ask time and time and time again; just to get nothing. Finally one of the places said yes, of course only if they were stop 4; I suppose stop 4 makes the most money. So we moved around our route and all the stops are all lined up now. That's a huge worry off our minds.

We've had to go to extreme measures to try and get sponsorship. We've been mailing out to local businesses individually and we've also placed an ad in the paper. We've spent $51.25 on postage to mail out 125 direct mailings and then $43.80 for one day, yes (1) day, run in the local newspaper. However we did decide since it's going to cost that much for one (1) day; then what better day to run the ad then Sunday. So I've already trucked out to the corner store this morning to pick it up. I'll be scanning it later today and adding it to the website and blog. Not only are we hoping this will generate sponsorship, but also attention.

Don't get me wrong; I love my hometown. Love where I grew up and really can't even fathom the idea of any place else being home; but I have to say I'm very disappointed by the response we've gotten from this. I mean it's for a great cause! If we don't stand up for these kids, who will? We're all they have and they depend on us to do what's right for them. I suppose it's a bit of sadness I feel, knowing that not only are our special children invisible to the school system but now wondering if the community also just "turns the other cheek". If people just had the opportunity of having these children in their life for one day, just one day..... then and only then would they see what an inspiration and joy they are. The poem "I Am The Child" sums it up well. I've been taught so many things from Faith.

I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

I just want to take the opportunity to thank those of you who have thought with your heart instead of your mind and taken a part in this cause. The children may not "know"; but they can "feel". Hopefully our cause to bring awareness will prevail and these kids will finally get the attention they've deserved all along. Thank you.

The Crusade

I cannot believe that this has taken off the way it has. The t-shirts alone were a blessing from God, I never could have ever even imagined something that huge happening for us. And folks are being so supportive saying that they'd provide covered dishes for the after ride.

I'm really glad I'm off on Monday as this will give me a chance to hand out flyers. Faith will be with her Daddy so I should be able to get a lot handed out on Monday. Unfortunately I probably won't be able to make a lot of contact by phone, but hanging up flyers and going to Wal-Mart parking lot to stick flyers on the bikes in the parking lot is something I'm excited about doing. Word gets around quick with those guys. We're going to the local hang out on Thursday (bike night) to hand out flyers there. That's going to be exciting as well.

The site is being updated with a slideshow of pictures, that's going to be really cool. Unfortunately we've not recieved much feedback from the visitors to the site, hopefully that will change soon. I'd love to hear from people!

So we're off to the beginning of an exciting ride!!!

I Am The Child

I am the child who cannot talk. You often pity me, I see it in your eyes. You wonder how much I am aware of. I see that as well. I am aware of much... whether you are happy or sad or fearful, patient or impatient, full of love and desire, or if you are just doing your duty by me.

I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater, for I cannot express
myself or my needs as you do. You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times.

I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and
repeated. I do not give you answers to your everyday questions, responses over
my well being, sharing my needs, or comments about the world about me. I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards...great strides in development that you can credit yourself; I do not give you understanding as you know it.

What I give you is so much more valuable... Instead I give you opportunities.
Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine; the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities; the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible.

I drive you further than you would ever go on your own, working harder, seeking
answers to your many questions with no answers.

I am the child who cannot talk. I am the child who cannot walk. The world seems to pass me by. You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair, to run and play like other children. There is much you take for granted. I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom. Oh! I've dropped my fork again.
I am dependent on you in these ways.

My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune, your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself. Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them. I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright, to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent. I give you awareness. I am the child who cannot walk.

I am the child who is mentally impaired. I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the world's measuring stick...What I do know is infinite joy in simple things. I am not burdened as you are with the strives and conflicts of a more complicated life. My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child, to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love. I give you the gift of simplicity. I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I am the disabled child. I am your teacher. If you allow me, I will teach you what is really important in life. I will give you and teach you unconditional love. I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you. I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted. I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams. I teach you giving.

Most of all, I teach you hope and faith.

I am the disabled child.

Author Unknown

Heaven's Very Special Child

A meeting was held quite far from earth,
"It's time again for another birth,"
Said the angels to the Lord above,
"This special child will need much love.

Her progress may seem very slow,
Accomplishments she may not show,
And she'll require extra care
From the folks she meets way down there.

She may not run or laugh or play;
Her thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many was she won't adapt,
And she'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where she's sent,
We want her life to be content.
Please, Lord, find parents who
Will do a special job for you

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for this gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge so meek and mild
Is Heaven's very special child."

Fight for the Right

A lot going on these days. We have decided that arguing with the Board of Education every year for Faith to have a 1:1 aide isn't working. So we've decided to take things a bit further.

We are in the beginnings of a "Ride for Faith" poker run which will hopefully take place within the next month or so. Joel is currently working on a website for Faith and what the special needs children struggle with on a day to day basis in the school system. That web address will be www.crusadeforfaith.org ; please visit it often for updates and events.

As I said, we are just in the beginnings of this and any suggestions, support, or sponsors we can get for this cause would be wonderful.

It's time that someone step to the plate and voice for these children whom cannot voice for themselves.

Yup, this is my guy!

Tooth Fairy

Faith lost another tooth this week. This time at school. I'm excited to see this one come in as she's been sporting, as Papaw calls them, Chiclets for the longest time. I hadn't realized how long it takes for baby teeth to come out. She lost her bottom two about a year or more ago. Then her two front a good while ago and now she's just lost the one to the right of her big girl tooth. I'm not sure, but I think it's kind of strange for her to chew. I noticed tonight that she seems to favor that side and she hasn't gotten used to no tooth being there to help break up the food. She gagged a bit when I fed her this evening, but I think it's because maybe it's because she's used to the food being more "chewed" and now that tooth is missing perhaps she's not able to chew it up as well.

All I know is Mommy's little girl is growing up too fast.

One of Faiths big steps at Daddy's house

Today she and I were sitting on the floor when I noticed Faith wanted more toys to play with,so I have been working with her to reach into her toy box to get the toy she wants. I told her she can do it,when she rolled over to the box she looked at it for about 30 seconds then she grabbed the box tilted the box over and started going through the toys it was so amazing to watch her be so independent. Of course I went crazy to see her do this! I loved and kissed on her for awhile after that to let her know that what she did made Daddy so proud and wished her Mommmy could have seen it. Faith is one of a kind ,she loves to show people love and really loves receiving it too. I know her mother and I show her so much love ,because Faith was given to us for that reason,she would always be loved no matter what.

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Photos

Newest Pictures of Faith:

A case where "Sorry" isn't enough.....

So here's the update on the missed meds.

I drop Faith off at school the next day and there's a lady, whom I've never seen, bringing Faith's wheelchair to the door. I see someone sitting on the bench inside, I couldn't tell at the time who it was.

At this point they had no idea about the missed meds.

So the lady pulls the chair to the front of my car and I asked her if she was replacing Dee (the teacher) today, she said no that she was an aide out of one of the other classrooms. She talked to Faith and commented how pretty she looked and joked that she would have to borrow some of her clothes. We shared a little laughter. So I asked her if Dee was there today and she said yes, but that she was already down in the lunchroom. I told her that I needed to speak to someone that was normally in Faith's class. She said that Lisa (I believe that's the name she said) was inside. So I walked in the school behind her and "Lisa" was the aide that I dropped Faith off to the day before (better known as "the missed meds day" 9/27/06).

So I asked "Lisa" if Faith had eaten breakfast the previous day (if they didn't give her meds, I had to wonder if they had even fed her). She said yes, she had eaten breakfast. My next question is who fed her. She said, "Well, let me think....ah yes....I did." OH MY GOD!! She had think who fed Faith?? When she was the one that fed her?? Ya just gotta wonder, ya know? I then said, "Well, we have a major issue...". She gazed at me with a blank look on her face. "....because Faith didn't get her meds yesterday morning." I literally watched this woman's jaw drop. There were two other staff members in addition to "Lisa" and the aide that had Faith standing in the hall as I confronted her. I then explained to her how I had gotten in Faith's backpack to put in her meds for the next day and found that there was a dose left in there. I then made it a point of the hour that I spent on the phone back and forth to Tim trying to find out if Sheri had put the pills in and also made sure she knew that I had to have Faith's neurologist paged at 10pm to find out what I needed to do to ensure that Faith didn't have a seizure because of her low count.

Her response?
"Oh Ms. Smith, I'm really sorry".

My respose?
"Well, while I can appreciate your apology, that doesn't erase the fact that Faith's meds were not administered as directed. You have to give Faith medication ONCE a day DURING breakfast, how hard is that to remember? This medication is crucial. We are lucky that Faith didn't go into a seizure and ya know, I just gotta wonder even if she had...would have anyone noticed? Typically when Faith has a mal seizure it's so severe that this little girl has to be taken into the ER and adminstered Phenobarbital thru an IV. So again, while I can appreciate your apology you obviously understand why I'm so upset."

I left. I needed to before I got angry. I was hurt and felt that her "sorry" didn't even measure up to what I felt needed to be done. I kept very calm and actually when I look back at it, I'm very proud of myself because I'm gonna tell you that I was ready to explode inside. As I pulled away from the school, now late for work, tears were rolling down my face uncontrollably.

I find out later that this staff member that missed giving Faith's meds was the registered LPN.

WHAT???!!!?!

This is bad...very bad. Something has got to give here. While our children are in school it IS the facitlity's responsibility to take care of them as we would. Some children, such as Faith, take a bit more care and attention. Ya know....not having enough staff to see that my child is properly taken care of is NOT an excuse, nor will it be accepted. They think we're asking too much when we stress the importance of Faith needing a one-on-one aide, not only that it will further Faith's learning and development to have that attention but this situation would not happen again if one person would have one responsibility....and that being Faith.

No, I don't think it's too much to ask that my little girl be safe and taken care of while in school. I trust them to see that this is done while she is out of my hands...it IS their responsibility. If something was done to their child while in the care of someone else, wouldn't they expect the same?

The fight for Faith, and now what I feel has been jeopardized..her safety...will turn even stronger.

TV, radio, newspaper, Senators, Lawyers....whatever it takes.
Sad, isn't it?
"Normal" children don't need to go through this to see that they get a proper education and ensured safety.

Not being fair is an understatement.

The War Begins

Well, it took a lot less time than what I thought...besides the fact that I didn't think it was going to be anything THIS major.

Get this.

So, every night before bed I give Faith a snack (usually something like a Little Debbie cake) to take her meds with. It's easier and more tolerable if it's sprinkled on some food. When I do this routine, I also take the pill bottle out of her school bag andgo ahead and put in her meds for the next morning. So I get in the school bag and fish out the bottle. As I take it out I hear, what I think, is the empty capsules (her meds are capsule pills that are opened and sprinkled over her food). I was stunned to find out that it wasn't empty capsules at all, but the dosage she was supposed to have taken with breakfast....at school.

I don't want to freak out just yet. There was a possibility that Sheri (aunt/babysitter) could have put in the dosage for the next morning. Even though she NEVER did this....maybe, just maybe.

So I call Tim at work. I tell him we have an issue and then go into explanation. He said he would get in touch with his sister and ask. In the meantime I get to thinking...ok, what do I do if it wasn't given. I mean, if it were then heck...things are all good. I've never had a complete dosage skipped before...given late, yes....but skipped? Hell no. So I call the hospital to see if they have Dr Gingold (Faith's neurologist) on page. She said yes. I give her my number and wait for the call. In the meantime, I call Tim from my cell to see if he had heard from Sheri yet. He said that he had to leave her a message and he should hear something from her no later than 10:30. While on the phone with him, Dr Gingold calls the house phone. She tells me instead of giving Faith's regular dosage and the entire dosage missed, to half the missed dosage and give it with Faith's normal dosage for night. Sounds confusing, but I understood what she was saying. So Tim, still being on the phone, overhears all this and says that I should hold off on giving her the additional till we find out for sure that Sheri didn't put the pills in her bag. He's tolerable when he thinks.

15 minutes later he calls back to inform me that Sheri DID NOT put those pills back in her bottle.

Oh yeah....the war begins and we're about to go in with loaded ammunition.

Daddy's Town Fair

Not much has happened in the way of the school board lately, of course we haven't scheduled her IEP meeting yet. I suppose once that's done and over with there will be a blog entry 5 miles long. I'm so sick of fighting.

So yesterday after dropping of Faith to her Daddy, I run over to Family Dollar to pick up some "must haves" and actually found quite a bit of "don't neccessarily need, but want" and decided to live on the edge and pick those up. I needed something to do till I had to make the drive to Pittsburgh. Hey, that's what happens when he (Joel) goes out of town and leaves me here all alone. I do the obvious......blow money.

So I'm browsing the store and my cell phone rings "Dueling Banjo's", the ringtone I have set for Tim....ummmm, what other ringtone would I apply to him? Fits perfectly. So, I pick up and he says to me, "You'll never believe what Faith and I just did!". I was a bit wierded out by him calling just to give me the latest scoop on his day, but I played along. My comment was, "Ok, I'm scared...but what?". His response? He says, "Faith and I just took a ride on a helicopter!". Faith's been on a helicopter before, not sure if she remembers anything as she was flown out because of seizures. He said she LOVED it! That's so funny. My little rebel. Now me? There ain't a million dollars.....well, I dunno...let's go a bit lower when talking cash, eh? You couldn't give me a hundred dollars to get on an airplane OR especially a helicopter. Now see, that's where Faith and I share something. I was life flown to a hospital back in '92 as a result of a car accident, but I don't even remember the accident let alone the helicopter. Nope. I'd HAVE to be unconcious to fly.

Anyways, Lost Creek (the town Tim lives in) was having their wonderful annual hillbilly ho-down yesterday and I suppose they were giving helicopter rides. I dunno. I try not to think of everyone in that town in one place at the same time. It scares me. I had to go to that friggin thing year after year and the visual memories are haunting. Well....maybe not that bad, but you get the idea.

Big Girl

Well it seems as if Faith is going thru a "growing spurt". She's growing into a young lady very fast. It's funny to sit and watch her. She knows more of what's going on around her then what a lot of people think. She's amazing. And God it takes my heart to watch her. She is such a happy little girl. Yesterday when I picked her up from her Daddy and she saw me she got so excited and started waving those little arms in the air! Warmed my heart to see how happy she was to see me.

She loves her music too, I have to say she definitly takes that after me. Her new favorite is "London Bridges" by Fergie. Yeah, that's my girl...my lil hip hop queenie!! She, of course, will always love Nickleback and Rascal Flatts. Ah yes and let's not forget Alison Krauss. My lil music mama.

I can't even begin to imagine having Faith any other way. I wouldn't change a thing about this little girl. So she doesn't walk, she doesn't run and chase the cat, she doesn't say "Mommy", or she doesn't say I love you. But to see her eyes and to watch her, I don't need to hear those words. And when...if...those words ever slip from her lips then of course I would be happy. But if not...I'm fine with the way this wonderful little girl fills the hole in my heart.

So the fight begins....

Ok, I can no longer do the "on behalf of Faith" writing. I will write in MY words, from MY point of view ON Faith's behalf. Sorry, but today has been one of the first, of many, days that irritate me to no end.

So moving....ya know. Moving sucks anyway. I mean you gotta pack up all your crap, crap you probably forgot you had, and load it to unload it and then put it all back up again. I think it would be real neat if they had "ready to move in" places where you didn't have to move a single slappin thing. You just moved and everything you need, and liked, was already set up. Eh, wishful thinkin' I suppose. Anyways, so we're moving. Moving from one city to another.

So I go to Nutter Fort today (the 1st school Faith ever attended, which she left 2 yrs ago) to enroll her. The principal is awesome. He's a former Marine Sergeant so he looks rough, but his heart is pure gold. I know, I've seen this man practically in tears...it was heart-wrenching. Anyways, I go in and ask if he wants Faith back and he immediately smiles. I explain to him that we're moving back to Clarksburg. He asked where. I told him. He said that wasn't his area and that I needed to talk to the principal over at North View to sign the transfer papers and then set up and IEP meeting before she can actually attend Nutter Fort. Fine. Now mind you, Monday is the first day of school. I know...procrastination...but I assumed transfer papers would be the only thing I needed to do. So I head to North View. Nobody's there. I'm looking around the building and there are steps everywhere. There is absolutely no way Faith can even get into this school, let alone the fact that the Special Needs classroom is located on the 3rd floor. Granted they have an elevator, but what if there's a fire?? There's no way she can be carried down 3 flights of stairs. So at this point, I'm kinda freakin out. I mean I have got to get some answers...TODAY!! So I'm done. I will go right to the source...the BOE itself. Hell they are gonna have to help me there, right? I dreaded this. I have not had one good experience with these people yet so I had a feeling my day was going to do nothing but go downhill. I even called Joel to "warn" him that the next call he gets from me might be from the Harrison County jail. Yes. That bad.

So I walk into the BOE building with my boxing gloves on and since there's no receptionist downstairs I just picked a floor. 2. That's always been a good number (process of elimination, really. There were 3 levels, I picked the middle). So I tell my story to the "fill in" secretary and she picks up the phone to call Mr Yedneck. No answer. Calls Miss Media (oh buddy, her and I have clashed in the past) and she pretty much tells her (not knowing the specs on the situation and not having a clue it's me) that I needed to do the transfer between principals. So another gentlemen overhears me freaking out and asks me if he could help. Well, before I even got 2 words out a lady steps out of a nearby office and he intros her and I. So...I start my story again. Before I got a sentenance out a gentleman steps off the elevator and she interrupts me to intro me to him. At this point I felt like I was just being "pawned" off to any passer-by. I met John Babyak (do you hear the choir and see the halo yet?) and he immediatly takes me upstairs to his office. Sits me down and asks my story. So, from the beginning I tell him. His response? Immediatly picks up the phone to call remarking how there's no way that Faith can go to North View without it being handicapp accesible. Wow! So, he makes several calls and to get to the point of the matter...this man made it happen. He brought down Miss Media into his office and pretty much said "Make it happen". It was amazing. I was so shocked about how smoothly things went, actually I was a bit frightened that the end was near. So I got his card, thanked him (with tears), and made sure that he got a picture of Faith. I mean this man didn't only make it happen, but he truly acted like he cared and was interested. He didn't approach the situation as Faith being another statistic. It was awesome! Justice for Faith!! Yayyyy!!!

So, the first battle has been won. But I know the first battle is the easiest, so the fight begins.

Ouch

Ok so you'll learn as these posts start that things that are "normal" for most kids are a big deal sometimes for me. Here's an example.

Yesterday I was at mommy's and she had me on the couch changing my diaper and brushing my teeth. Daddy pulled up so she left me on the couch to get up and run to the door to tell Daddy that it would be just a minute. I guess when I tried to get up my hand slipped off the couch and I landed upside down right on my head. Mommy and Joel (mommy's fiance) ran over to me and quickly snatched me up and sat me on the couch. Mommy was freaking out and then Daddy heard me crying hard (I don't cry very often so usually when I do, there's something wrong). Mommy and Daddy held me and calmed me down. Mommy walked me out to Daddy's truck and everything was fine.

Later Mommy called Daddy 3 times to make sure I was ok. Daddy kept telling her I was fine but it's when things like this happens that everyone freaks out. I'm a little tougher than what most people think, but I guess they worry because of my shunt and stuff. Heck I'm a tough little girl. Mommy tells me to keep that up so I can beat up any boys that try to kiss me. Course I think if any boys ever try to kiss me then Daddy would step in. Oh gosh, I'll never have a boyfriend with these two!!!