Parental Involvement

   In schools today, what do you think one of the things some school officials would say is missing?  Parental Involvement!  Why do you think that is the case?  It is almost guaranteed that you will hear similar reasons no matter what school or community.  Reasons like, "We just can't get our parents out to support the children"  "Our parents aren't interested in things like this" and many other reasons.  Parents even give reason for their lack of involvement.  "I have to work"  "The teachers (other school officials) don't listen", and so many other reasons.  

     What about the parents that are committed?  The parents that are willing to help whenever and however they are needed?  Some are often overlooked, viewed as an outcast or trouble maker.  That has been my personal experience!   

     Speaking of my experience(s).  Time and time again and day after day, when Kerstin has been well and able to go to school, I have and will continue to be at her side.  Yet, somehow, when this mom brings up accessibility, special education, ideas or suggestions, I am considered an enemy! 

     After all, shouldn't advocacy and parental involvement go hand in hand?  When there is parental involvement, the parent(S) are not only involved, they also advocate for their child and others.  They want what is best for the child's education.  They want to make certain that the child is in an environment that is conducive to learning.  They want to ensure that the educators are qualified and knowledgeable.

     Schools/officials should want parents to know what is going on in the schools as well as with the board/district, right?  Maybe not!  With this parental involvement, parents should be able to voice their opinions, not just hold classes, make copies and sign in to meetings so that the schools look better.  Parents be engaged!  Be involved.  When parental involvement is sought, be supportive of what you get and build a relationship!

     Parental involvement=Advocacy!

     


     

Princess Smiles-a-lot!

2nd Annual Alabama Angels Pageant

     The 2nd Annual Alabama Angels Pageant has come and gone!  I am sure that there were many participants that did not or could not participate in last years festivities, Kerstin included.  This year was different.  I mentioned on the Alabama Angels Pageant Facebook page months ago that Kerstin would not miss the event this year.  There would be no more hospital stays that would keep her from Hunter Hills Church! 

     You see, at the time of the pageant in 2013 Kerstin was just coming off of her 2 hospitals stay after two separate surgeries one month apart. The first being a bi-lateral triple arthodesis on both feet and the second was to have her g-tube placed.  However, pageant directors came to our home to present Kerstin with her crown, sash and goody bag!  Her day was beautiful all the same just not the full experience with all the bells and whistles. 

     The Friday before the pageant was a day of prepping and pampering for Kerstin.  Hair, nails...somewhat of an in home spa day for Princess Smiles-a-lot!  The excitement was brewing in Kerstin, I could see it all over her face.  She was so excited that she woke up Saturday morning around 4:45 a.m.  YES!  I went ahead and checked all of bags to make sure we had everything.  

     Upon arriving, the carriage rides were in full effect.  The decorations were so beautiful.  Volunteers were on hand to greet everyone, opening doors, just so much kindness.  There were booths set up to provide valuable information to the families as well.  We checked in and was assigned Kerstin's Guardian Angel.  I will tell you, I know we had the best one in the building!  

     The angels were so beautiful!  This day was a day they had the opportunity to shine and were included.  They sang, danced and told jokes...like my little lady did with her Dynavox.  

Here's how the day went...

Dressed, belly full, now it's time to prep!

Actually smiling while I'm doing her hair!

Director, Renee Lantz

Pageant Team Leaders/Coordinators

Getting ready to go on stage...her cousins at her side.

Look mommy..I have on a little lipstick!

Her name in lights!

Little jokester is coming on stage...

Kerstin with her Guardian Angel, Carol and emcee, Chris Britton

Telling her jokes with assistance!

Angels and military excorts!

Crowns and sashes..

Crowned!

A goody bag too...

The day is done...dreaming about the next one!

Support!

     I will tell anyone, Kerstin has so many moms and grandmas out there.  I often think about "Lily Owens" from "The Secret Life of Bees".  By the end of the book and movie, Lily has found so much support from her former housekeeper now friend and the Boatwright sisters, that she feels she is the luckiest girl in the world to have so many "moms".  Kerstin has her beat!!  It means so much to have so many caring women in our lives.   Yesterday, I even posted on Facebook, how it means so much to receive invaluable support, advice and prayers. Post here.  That means so much more when it comes from women, especially older women that truly understand what we younger women and moms are dealing with. 

     Kerstin has motherly/grand-motherly figures seems like wherever we go!  She has an aunt, Regina, that will tell anyone that, "Mattisa gave birth to Kerstin but, I'm her mom!"  She has been supportive in ways that could take a blog post or two to explain.  Kerstin loves her T-Gina!  I have another sister, Joan, she's Kerstin's and my go to for anything medical especially after hours.  We love her for that, even though Kerstin seems to be annoyed by her sometimes.   I know there's divine intervention when you least expect it.  My sisters were lead into areas of higher learning because of their interest but also because it would be needed in our family.  I am eternally grateful for them and their knowledge.  When I don't know what to say or do in some situations, they step right in and on time!

     When Kerstin has gone to school over the years, there are so many motherly figures.  Not all the women we've encountered have been kind but, this is NOT about them.  We have had some tell me on cold days, "Make sure you have Kerstin wrapped up."  Or, "Make sure Kerstin has on her hat and gloves..."  I've even been called some days with her at school moms telling me "Don't bring Kerstin to school, there seems to be a virus going around."
Taking her to therapy, her therapist know that she's going to have her nails polished and when she doesn't, I get "Why aren't her nails done?"  Leaving me to explain that I've usually taken the polish off late the night before and just hadn't re-polished yet.  

     Cannot forget about her "grandmas"  and "aunts", that are not even related...my moms friends, always asking how their baby is doing.  They always send encouraging words via my mom to me, "Tell Mattisa to hang in there and be strong."  Kerstin has love from every corner of this country it seems, from California, to Texas, to Michigan, to Virginia and beyond.  THANK YOU, from our corner in Alabama!

     All of your support does not go unnoticed!  It means more than I can began to explain!  

     So, to all you supportive women in our lives:

"I don't tell you often enough how much we appreciate the time and the care and the love you give us.  But today we want you to know how special you are and that we will always remember everything you've done for US!"

We appreciate YOU!!

THANK YOU,

Vote for Kerstin Sanders - Hayneville, AL in the 2014 National Mobility Awareness Month Local Hero contest!

HEY GUYS...if you in the orange box before you submit your vote, please click on the "Get an extra vote" button, answer a simple question, usually caregiver/accessibility related...your vote will count as TWO....THANK YOU!!! Vote daily and share often!!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Vote for Kerstin Sanders - Hayneville, AL in the 2014 National Mobility Awareness Month Local Hero contest!


 

Last day of school...

So, here we are!  Kerstin's last day of school until after surgery, which is probably January.  The plan was to go around to all of her teachers and classmates to tell them to have a safe Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Didn't work out!  I did not want to get too emotional and she notices, she senses my emotions and would have cried all the way home.  One of her friends since Pre-K overheard a conversation I was having with one of the teachers and looked at me like she wanted to cry.  She is such a sweet girl, and has always been so sweet to Kerstin and me.

What we did instead was said our "see you later's" to her teachers in the hall.  They all wished her well and speedy recovery.  Even exchanged numbers to check in on her!  It is truly a blessing to have TEACHERS that really care for their students' well-being, wish their supervisors and administrators were as caring but, that's a post for another day!  Wouldn't you know that Kerstin did NOT leave school empty handed either!  Her school's nurse gave her night gowns to be warm and comfy, her teacher and speech pathologist gave us a goodie bag with pajamas, slippers, glove and ear muff set, socks for Kerstin and had a magazine, hot cocoa, Cokes, snacks, lotion, hand sanitizer.  Must say that we have been truly blessed  with so many supportive people.  The blessings have come in mail, via UPS and from church.  Comfort items and monetary support.  It all means so much, more than the supporters will ever know!!

So, we are here, no more school until January.  Eleven days before surgery!  Please continue to pray with us for Kerstin's strength, safety and healing.

More to come...