Terry - So sorry to hear ..... it sounds like the school system has done the shuffle with your daughter. I have always felt that the child's BEST advocate is their parents. And it is an ENDLESS battle with the schools. I am only a teacher assistant, but I am very fortunate that I work with an amazing teacher who knows what battles to fight. And she knows how to work the system too to get what a child needs. We've fought a LOT of "quiet" battles. We have to work that fine line with both sides to get what is best for the child. It's like walking on egg shells at times. Sometimes it is very frustrating. Is she still in school somewhere?
My suggestion to parents of children with disabilities... is to learn the education laws for exceptional students and join an advocacy group. I am sooooo sorry to hear that they felt she was only capable of life skills training. Did they know she writes cursive and does basic math? What an injustice to your daughter! But sadly, your experience is probably the norm. I'm glad to hear that she has a loving family who knows what's best for her. I have worked with students whose parents were in major denial or who felt burdened by a handicapped child and literally wanted us to raise their child. I've seen some pretty sad situations. But I take great joy in the children's successes and sometimes a change of heart from the parents and the education system. Small battles are won every day! And they do add up! It's a forever battle!
In regards to snow .... I've heard you can get a pretty nasty sunburn on a sunny snow day! LOL! I guess that is why all the pro skiers wear goggles and sunglasses. AND sunscreen! :-)
Only a few survived ....
Becky, in our case, we had a wonderful Pediatric Developmentalist that taught me everything I needed to know. The schools denied that they had the books that have the laws, so he gave me one. He helped me at every turn. He helped me learn what I needed to know in any given situation. He was outraged that they moved the school she went to and even sent a letter saying she needed the physically handicapped school. But I guess he's a doctor and he's knows about as much as me. Krista didn't attend school around here till 6th grade. She was bused an hour away. Which was fine really, I didn't feel she should be mainstreamed. In my opinion, the special ed teachers have more patience and know what they're dealing with. And yes, they knew she could write cursive, they knew she could do math. She's educable, but they treated her like she was only trainable. Until she got to HS, but that was the only special ed class they had. But the teacher was very open to teaching her what she needed to know. I always wondered....what 5 yr old really needs to know how to do laundry? I mean really. She had friends that were going to graduate at 18. I tried to tell her it was best if she stayed in school till she was 21, but she disagreed. Sadly, I know parents that are in denial also. It breaks my heart because the child doesn't get what s/he needs. I don't understand why some people feel such shame. My in-laws are perfect examples of sticking someone (BIL) in the corner. He didn't go to school, he didn't go to sport activities, he didn't play outside. He went once a year for Thanksgiving to an aunt and uncle's house. Don't get me started on them and what they've done to not only my BIL, but our daughter too. Suffice it to say I have nothing to do with my MIL anymore, my FIL died back in '90.
That's exactly why skiers wear all that gear, plus sunscreen! I've gotten a tan before while driving in the bright sunshine glaring off the snow...lol.