April Sparkles
A
thread 1/6
I remember feeling exactly this way!

I was so anxious.

I was worried my son wouldn’t make friends, and that he’d be left out of everything, socially.
anandalenalen @anandalenalen
🥹I'm so terrified y'all. My youngest has Down syndrome is starting middle school as the first in our district to be in all Gen Ed classes. She's a rock star trailblazer. Our admin is great but the school is so unprepared & this is all so new for them and she's my baby and ack! 🥹
08:31 PM - Sep 01, 2023
08:51 PM - Sep 01, 2023
Avatar Avatar Avatar
0
16
34
April Sparkles
A
thread 2/6
He wasn’t.
He made so many good friends.
He had a vibrant high school career (we don’t have middle school)
He competed on teams.
He did a work co-op
He volunteered.
He went to prom
He won so many awards!
08:52 PM - Sep 01, 2023
1
11
April Sparkles
A
thread 3/6
His friends continue to be a part of his life.
He sees them all the time. They’ve included him in their adult lives.
08:54 PM - Sep 01, 2023
2
11
April Sparkles
A
thread 4/6
She’s going to have really great days, and she’s going to have some hard days.

That’s what every young person deals with.

At the end of the day she’ll come home to you. The mom with the instinct about how her daughter is doing.
08:56 PM - Sep 01, 2023
1
10
April Sparkles
A
thread 5/6
You’re going to be there to make sure things are going as they should be, and if they’re not, you’re going to be the person who says it’s okay to try something different.

That’s what we do.

That’s why she’ll succeed.
08:57 PM - Sep 01, 2023
1
9
April Sparkles
A
thread 6/6
Please feel free to message me with any questions.

I can’t wait to hear about how it’s going.

Love,
April 💛
08:58 PM - Sep 01, 2023
0
8
anandalenalen
A
Thank you. ❤️ For the story and for helping pave the way.
In response to April Sparkles.
08:56 PM - Sep 01, 2023
1
1
April Sparkles
A
In response to anandalenalen.
The hardest years were grades 3 & 4.

After that, it got easier.

My advice would be to have as much presence at the school as possible.

I volunteered for everything. All the staff knew me and felt comfortable talking with me. 💛
09:02 PM - Sep 01, 2023
1
1
anandalenalen
A
Oh they know me well! 😁
This can't all just be for her. We have to change it, period. I am everywhere.

3rd grade was Covid, so a diffent kind of rough. We had to get an attorney to get her included in kinder but it's been pretty okay since. Some well-intentioned missteps but great community.
09:18 PM - Sep 01, 2023
0
0
anandalenalen
A
In response to April Sparkles.
Thank you so much. I'm so excited to learn we have this path in common!
09:49 PM - Sep 01, 2023
1
1

 

{{ notificationModalContent }} {{ promptModalMessage }}