Student Work

BRAGGING PAGE

Finding That Pot of Gold

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        My school initiated an early release program this year.  By adding a few minutes onto the beginning and end of the day we are able to release students home 13 afternoons this year while staff stays the whole day.  This allows for staff professional development, planning and collaboration.  This designated time from early release has allowed opportunities for the MOVE committee to gather and work toward improving our students’ mobility.  Participants share stories of success, bring up problems that they are having in their classrooms or ask for advice in problem solving.  The committee is a safe place for teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff to share ideas and improve relationships.  With the slow progression that is common in the severely physically impaired students, it is reinvigorating to see the passion and pride shared among the group.  On this page I will share our success stories that make our staff  feel fortunate- like finding that pot of gold.  Some names may have been changed to protect privacy​​​​​​​​​​.

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A Mother’s Shock

 

Madison, a 17 year old girl with severe multiple impairments, has always been lifted out of her wheelchair.  As she has grown older, she has also grown heavier, weighing 285 pounds.  At school we have been working on her standing to transfer to and from the toilet and in and out of a standard school chair.  We have also been practicing getting up from the floor since she has a terrific fear of falling.  In this way she can see that if she does fall to the floor, she can figure out how to get back up.  One day at home, Madison's mom left her in the bedroom as she took care of another issue.  Mom was planning on lifting her into bed just as she had every night.  To her surprise, upon her return Madison had already gotten herself into bed without any help.  Her mom almost fainted.  What a fabulous accomplishment for a girl who was confined to a wheelchair for 17 years.

 

 

 

 

Let’s Go Camping

Michael is a fun-loving, 16 year old boy who has never walked but was always able to propel his wheelchair independently.  He is over 6 feet tall and unable to use his legs to stand.  His mother believes that he has so much more potential than he shows us and he was pushed hard to succeed at home and at school.  After thousands of trials, Michael was able to use a walker to move from his lunch chair to the bathroom in the school.  During the summer months his family would spend time up north camping.  Because of his size, his mom couldn’t carry him up the narrow stairway to their camper anymore.  After many trials on the steps at school he can use his arm strength to lift himself up the bus steps much like a gymnast lifting himself on parallel bars.  Michael continues to impress us with his skills daily.

 

 

A Second Chance

 

Andrew was a 3 year old little boy that, according to doctors, was never going to survive.  He arrived at our school and had never had a lot of the experiences of a normal 3 year old.  He was on a ventilator and was always held or placed in a bed.  With the MOVE program in place at our school, this lying around business was going to come to an end.  Andrew went on CBI (Community Based Instruction) trips, he stood to participate in music class, he was placed in a walker and bike to feel the experience of moving through space.  He became more alert, would participate with a smile or eye opening and participated in activities that were never thought possible.  Andrew did not survive due to worsening medical conditions but he did spend time in school that opened up new experiences for him and his family, giving him a second chance.