ECSE wk 3

This was a hard week.  I don't like to talk about my family, because we are trying to land on our feet.  We will get there, but it can scare people (or, at least has in the past).  The point is knowing that Heavenly Father is in charge.

With that in mind, I am striving to have and keep the balance, of putting first things first (Covey, Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, 1988) accomplishing the most important-leaving and having both faith in and trust in the Lord, that all will work out (with all we can do, 2 Ne. 25:23) in the way He would have it.

Alida and I were able to get together this morning to work on EcoMaps.  I enjoyed the Angelino worksheet, because the Angelino family reminds me of a family that "adopted" me in after my mission (to be 2nd oldest of 9 instead of the youngest, latchkey-by 5 to 6 years).  The format and questions really helped to flesh out Alida and my conversation we had about our families.  It was also natural to problem-solve, encourage, and mention supports that I happened to be familiar with, in areas in which they will be going or living.

"I am Sam" very difficult to watch, and my daughter and I needed to switch it off, when the gal started physically hitting on him.  (I think we can picture something similar happening to Eli, and we are not quite ready for that yet-and I feel that I ran out of time-for a weekend, without the kids).

I would like to pursue BYU Masters in SP. Ed., considering if I will be accepted as well as the impact and affect upon my kids.-https://gradstudies.byu.edu/program/special-education-ms

 Quote:  "What is the quality of the relationship?"  Friday's 1/26/18 class lecture, Sis. Swenson.  I could go off on this for hours, the point is in the importance of reflecting, realizing how to strengthen (sometimes, where to cut), and making sure that the whole and a nurturing environment are there.

ADA Experience

ADA Experience

ADA assignment:

You have Autism and hate the color red. For an entire day you will not eat anything red. You also will not talk or interact with anyone wearing red. If you encounter someone wearing red you need to turn your head or not talk back.

Being Autistic for a day, with aversion to red, was quite interesting, for many reasons. 1) Red is my best color and I did not realize how much red I had in my life (like my car), so avoiding my car, as a single, working mom, was quite an adventure.  2) Because I grew up on my own, with limited socialization, every once and awhile, I do something odd and seeming out of character, and I am occasionally mistaken for being autistic (after taking the Autism class, I would almost swear that my daughter Leta has visual Autism, though).  3) We live off of spaghetti, salsa, and tomatoes (luckily, I was out).

First, the car:  I figured that I would pick a day that I drive it the least.  I did not have my kids that weekend, and I figured, if I saw someone wearing red, I would only have it reflect upon me, personally.  (I do billing for a local Dr. and could not guarantee, that one of the patient’s I needed to talk to would not come in wearing red).  I go to the temple, on those weekends (which was the only time I drove the car and walking from the Drigg’s Hwy 33 in winter, was not an option).  I learned, however, over time, that the Lord has ways of helping us to overcome our prejudices or “aversions”, if we choose to follow him.  I’m not saying or suggesting that this is a “cure” for Autism- I am merely stating that in following the Lord, “He will have a humble people” (Pres. Benson, “Beware of Pride”, April 1989) and as He guides us, we naturally overcome “aversions” or other prejudices which keep us from being with  or liking other of Heavenly Father’s children, as we learn to love them.  For example, during this exercise- while driving, I thought of times I have felt an aversion towards a certain type of car (color doesn’t matter much to me), but since I drive a red car, I felt that it was appropriate to reflect on.  In short, there have been 3 times in my life where I felt an “aversion” to a car.  Each time, the Lord had me love someone, before I interacted with the prejudiced car, which made me feel the loneliness, regret, and even-shame for my feelings of pride (“that I was better than that –riding in or owing that car- or even them”).

Second, I know what it feels like to feel “odd”, “out-of-place”, or have family/friends embarrassed by my actions, which can cause some socially awkward situations.  I thought of this, especially while going to the temple, because I would not want anyone there to feel uncomfortable, awkward or an aversion from me.  I had a prayer in my heart, and it was answered.  I am so grateful for the both the experience and the ability to appreciate the sincere friendships I have and the chance to repent and change.  That no one should be alone or feel isolated, even because of their own feelings.  There are many that feel either helpless or hopeless (I think of Paul and his “...thorn in the flesh” (2 Corr. 12:7-8)), and we can help to give them hope, instruction, direction, and they can overcome, through knowing the Savior, His love, and applying His atonement.  The irony is that what we feel is our comfort zone, or our biases can actually be ways in which we shut people out of our lives.

Third, I was grateful, to be low on food, made the food aversion easier, and very appreciative for the food we have.

This was an interesting exercise, which reminded me of some wonderful experiences in early young-adulthood.  I think this exercise can be very insightful for the class, as they are in that developmental stage.

ECSE Week 2

• I don't know that it would help me as much, per Se, as the others-outside of which, that I would be teaching the material:  I imagined, since I was born in 1970, I could give the girls a "living timeline" (such as I was 16, when part C was implemented) to help and to give them the perspective, that, yes most this has all happened within one lifetime, but also, just how long it takes to effect change.  (i.e.;  the original IDEA being signed when I was 5).  The main point is that change takes dedication and patience, as well as perseverance in your cause.
• What experience or resource helped you learn the most, The 20 year anniversary celebration of the sit-in for 504.  I was only 7, but I do remember a little bit of it (a year after Teton Dam, still adjusting).  I remember my mom being worried.  She never expressed why, but was amazed how, when I had returned from my mission, one of my closest friends, at home, was wheelchair bound with Spina bifida.  She wasn't sure how to take Brittany.  We talked about it, and I just let her know how to interact (nothing to be afraid of).  Ironically, Mom had worked for orthopedic surgeons since I was 6 and for the medical profession, much of my life.  It just shows, you can be around it, and still find both bigotry and intolerance.  It wasn't until the "bullies" felt both outnumbered and "out of the norm" (and lots and lots of both positive exposure and education), that a good portion of the dignity and affability towards our friends who have disabilities or impairments was established.  Don't forget the cost (or we will pay it, again).
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• How well prepared are you for applying what you learned in the future?  I think it shows in how we "live" it.  Are we willing to make a change, now?
• Teaching my peers, when I am independent study, is really limited to short class exposure or communication within our groups.  I feel that I hopefully share, that which is felt worthwhile, but it is also up to them to see if they will allow a new perspective into the paradigm.

Weekly Quote:

• "Whether there was a Section 504, whether there was a PL 94-142, there was a Brown vs. Board of Education"("20th Anniversary-504 Sit-In,"1997)

Week 1 ECSE what we know and what we want to learn

I am still trying to catch up from the family's stomach flu last week.

What I know:  I have worked with persons who have disabilities for nearly 20 years now.  It has been my honor and privilege to be their aide/care giver, and friend.  It has been amazing to see how the field has changed in 47 years, literally being able to watch it from it's infancy, as I grew up with a disability, myself, but having a mom, who (ironically) was a school teacher who, blatantly refused to have me be part of the "system" as it was called at the time.  This provided two things, in retrospect:
1) the ability to have friends in and observe how the laws applied, from an "outsiders" point of view; and 2) Having to make individual adaptations, without the aide, trying to make things work without direct benefit of how these laws and regulations helped.  Either way, it is OK, I have especially  learned coming back to school since 2014, in Special Education (K-12), that this is where I am supposed to be, and apparently "without an 'official' diagnosis" (a long story, for another time).

What I would like to learn:  I would like to learn how policy is made, written, derived, and then implemented.  This has, truly, been a spiritual experience, the journey of these last, "wow", 7 years which have brought me here, towards both my goal and answer to prayer towards getting a Master's in Special Education.  There is always so much to learn.  Mom taught me a love for English as a living and breathing language with nuances, and mold and adaptability, to almost any circumstance.  Special Ed. has been noticing that same dynamic, on hyper-drive, watching as the drama unfolds, and being part of both the cast and crew, as it were.  I want to effect and make change-but not for me or my sake, for purpose of making this a better place (for my children, my son, and all of my friends who I have met and cherished through the years, to give them hope, safety, and a chance).  It is all work, but we need to be united in this effort, so that we can bring good things to pass.