DAY ONE, SESSION ONE

Today was the first day back at school for the girls, and Nicolette's preliminary therapy session.  She and I were exhausted; Mom helped me do the girls' hair, and we left her house at 4:00 in the morning!  Their hair is pretty, though!  Now, I have to do mine......

Nicolette and I had an interview session together, with her therapist, and was taken out of the room for testing while he and I talked on a more personal level (family history, background, etc.).  I made sure that I was very candid and frank, and gave honest answers.  It's nothing to be ashamed of; Nicolette's success will rely greatly on how truthful and real I am. 

In talking with her, he picked up on the very symptoms that I know have been present in Nicolette for years, but no one else seemed to "see" or "notice".  The tragic thing about this is that he and I immediately recognized the damage that has been done by Nicolette being a "sweet" child; many times, children like Nicolette, who aren't assertive or don't give the teachers "trouble" are just "passed on" (at least, that was the case in the New Orleans school system), but to her detriment, because she isn't learning anything.  It is such a comfort to know when another person feels your pain.  And now, since I have someone, who bears real weight, in my corner, I am so confident that Nicolette will finally receive the help she needs, and has a chance to improve tremendously.

My baby told the therapist that she wouldn't trade me in for a million dollars!

  

I was shocked at first; but I must admit that hearing that from her felt good; I must be doing SOMETHING right!

He sent us home with some forms that have to be completed by Nicolette's teacher, Matt and I, and Nicolette.  I may have to supervise her with the questionnaire; I looked it over, and some questions may be hard for her to comprehend.  The therapist thought that it would take forever for the teacher to complete the form.  When I brought Nicolette back to school today, and she found out what the form was for, she filled it out IN 20 MINUTES.  See, I know firsthand how frustrating working with Nicolette can be.  I had the privilege of sitting with her while she completed the paperwork, and listening to her tell me the same things she saw in Nicolette that I saw all along.  This lady is with Nicolette in school all day, then she tutors Nicolette after school all week, including Saturdays!  I know how stressed she is.  Nicolette had been "evaluated" last year, and they told her previous teacher and I that nothing was wrong.  But we are going to be able to help her now, and get help ourselves.  Thank God!   

The good thing about having that form completed quickly is that the results of the testing and evaluation will come back sooner, and the service will become involved with the school system.  Much of the pressure will be taken away from the teacher to try and help Nikki all on her own.  Our next session date is January 17th.  I have devoted my Wednesdays to this, so that I will be available all day.

I learned something that broke my heart today.  There is a 13 year-old boy in Nicolette's class who has been retained three times, because he was unable to pass the standardized tests for grades 3, 4 and 5.  He told his teacher that if he fails this time, he will drop out of school.  He doesn't belong in that classroom.  He is older than all of the other kids there.  You cannot talk to a 13 year-old like you can a 10 or an 11-year old, especially since he is a boy, because there are so many different things going on with children at those ages.  The teacher told me that his parents are rarely involved with him at school, and that they rarely, if ever, "chastise" him for anything.  It's as if he has been given up on, and he is too tired to try anymore.  I mean, what child says that they are going to drop out of ELEMENTARY school at 13?  What chance will he have of surviving?  How will he ever be able to care for himself or his family properly?  Why aren't there any programs available to help lost children such as these?  I cried today.  I told my mom that there isn't anything that I can do, but I will begin praying for him, as I pray for my own children, because I know that God can do something.  I wish I were blessed with great wealth; I would crusade to help kids like this. 

I came home and passed out for a few hours.  I want to do my hair, but even though I just woke up, it is still so late at night/early in the morning.  Worse, I haven't eaten anything but some nasty McDonald's with my daughter today.  Seriously.....why did McDonald's taste good when I was younger, but tastes horrible to me now?           

TTYL, folks!

Adrian