“For so long, what’s been highlighted for kids with disabilities is what they can’t do…and they always have “but” proceeding them. With inclusion we are replacing “but” with “and.”
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So Ruby is in the first grade AND she has Down syndrome…suddenly a whole new world of thinking and opportunity opens up for her.
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Along with being in a general education classroom, Ruby gets private speech therapy twice a week and occupational therapy once a week to help her reach her goals and be the best lil’ lady she can be. It certainly isn’t always easy, but for us as a family we have made it a priority and feel lucky we have the opportunity to make it happen. She also gets therapy twice a week at school, so she has an entire team of peeps believing in her and investing in her future every day. They become family and people we lean on when we are frustrated, sad, scared, happy, elated, proud and everything in between.
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We try to make things that we are working on “fun” and sneak things in while she isn’t looking…ha! I have to admit, as a parent I still struggle with the balance of “are we doing enough” to the “just let her be a 6 year old.” But in the end I have learned to give myself a little grace and love. We are all doing the best we can, and the main thing is that she is incredibly loved and accepted.