A letter came home from school with my mini-me. A tentative date of October 16 has been set for the IPRC meeting to take place at his school. I spent most of the evening last night pouring over print-outs from the computer on his disorders (not that I haven't already, so most of it was a refresher), his needs and rights, academically and behaviourally, information on the IPRC process, the school's obligations academically and provisions for behavioural issues.
Notes that I took from all these sources take up 6 pages of handwritten notes that I'll have to organize, condense and prioritize.
I've asked the liaison from CPRI to join us if she can. We have a session with his psychiatrist and I have an appointment our family doctor before the meeting takes place. So I'm confident I'll have my ducks in a row and go in armed and ready.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Breakfast sex...
She was in the kitchen doing the boiled eggs for breakfast. He walks in and asks "What's for breakfast?"
She turns to him and says, "You've got to make love to me this very moment"
He, thinking it's his lucky day, stands her over the kitchen table and they have sex.
Afterwards he says, "What was that all about?"
She says, "The egg timer's broken."
She turns to him and says, "You've got to make love to me this very moment"
He, thinking it's his lucky day, stands her over the kitchen table and they have sex.
Afterwards he says, "What was that all about?"
She says, "The egg timer's broken."
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Round Two
I heard from JFCY really quickly! A lawyer from their organization got back to me before 2pm yesterday!
On her advice, I've written the school a letter (and sent it by courier - same day delivery) to request that an IPRC (Identification, Placement and Review Committee) be formed to have my mini-me formally identified as an "exceptional" student.
I already think he's exceptional, but I'm somewhat biased. ;)
The school has no choice but to comply, refusing to do so is not only highly unethical, it's illegal for them to ignore the request.
On her advice, I've written the school a letter (and sent it by courier - same day delivery) to request that an IPRC (Identification, Placement and Review Committee) be formed to have my mini-me formally identified as an "exceptional" student.
I already think he's exceptional, but I'm somewhat biased. ;)
The school has no choice but to comply, refusing to do so is not only highly unethical, it's illegal for them to ignore the request.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Progress!
I contacted Justice for Children and Youth today. They're a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to low-income children and youth in Toronto and vicinity; a legal aid clinic that specializes in protecting the rights of those facing conflicts with the legal system, education, social service or mental health systems; giving legal advice, information and assistance to young people, parents (in education matters), professionals and community groups across Ontario.
I briefly explained our situation to the delightful woman that answered the phone and she said she'd pass our information on to someone in my area and that they'd be in touch today or tomorrow.
Wow! If only I'd known about this organization ages ago!
I briefly explained our situation to the delightful woman that answered the phone and she said she'd pass our information on to someone in my area and that they'd be in touch today or tomorrow.
Wow! If only I'd known about this organization ages ago!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
The battle rages on...
My son's academic career has been somewhat of a battle given his ADHD & ODD. I've had to fight for every little bit of assistance he's given even though by rights, it supposedly his for the taking. As long as all parties involved, i.e., the psychologist that wrote the initial report that identified his diagnoses, the psychiatrist he's currently in treatment with, the school (inclusively, the learning support teacher, his class teacher, the principal & vice principal), his father & I are all on the same page.
Currently, I am trying to get an accurate & complete IEP (individualized educational plan) in place for my mini-me and a half-hearted, woefully inadequate effort was presented to me earlier this week. The recommendation that he be put on an IEP came down in February 2005 when Dr. G did her psychological assessment, defining his diagnoses as ADHD and ODD, with a reading disability and possibly a writing disability; but she couldn't definitively prove the writing disability because she couldn't get him to produce enough written work...ummmm...doesn't that tell you something????????
The school is miles from where I'd like them to be, but somewhat in their defense, they're not entirely at fault. I know our schools need a major overhauling. Kids aren't learning effectively and children like my son are falling through the cracks and often end up as highschool dropouts. Everybody complains that the schools are failing our children, but nobody seems to be doing anything about it. The collective faculties of education & teacher's colleges across Canada and the United States continue to churn out teachers overwhelmingly unprepared for today's issues, using teaching modules that haven't evolved since God knows when.
Currently, I am trying to get an accurate & complete IEP (individualized educational plan) in place for my mini-me and a half-hearted, woefully inadequate effort was presented to me earlier this week. The recommendation that he be put on an IEP came down in February 2005 when Dr. G did her psychological assessment, defining his diagnoses as ADHD and ODD, with a reading disability and possibly a writing disability; but she couldn't definitively prove the writing disability because she couldn't get him to produce enough written work...ummmm...doesn't that tell you something????????
The school is miles from where I'd like them to be, but somewhat in their defense, they're not entirely at fault. I know our schools need a major overhauling. Kids aren't learning effectively and children like my son are falling through the cracks and often end up as highschool dropouts. Everybody complains that the schools are failing our children, but nobody seems to be doing anything about it. The collective faculties of education & teacher's colleges across Canada and the United States continue to churn out teachers overwhelmingly unprepared for today's issues, using teaching modules that haven't evolved since God knows when.
Monday, September 18, 2006
The Cone of Humiliation
Eddie got fixed on Friday (Bob Barker says, "have your pets spayed or neutered!")...
He has to wear this for the next 10 days...
LOL...pooooor puppy!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Mondays suck most of the time...
And today was turning out no better...
But then I got mail!
DADDY'S HOME!!
*big cheesy grin*
But then I got mail!
DADDY'S HOME!!
*big cheesy grin*
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Misquoted & maligned...ah the morons of the world abound
So the other day I was reading Ms Matisse's blog and she directed her readers to have a peek at Renegade Evolution's "Guide to dealing with men...".
In my opinion, it was a well written and very funny post...others didn't think it was all that funny and both sides voiced their opinions in MM's comments.
Not being one to step back from a challenge (think: bull in a china shop) when the OP's opinion was maligned, I put my 2 cents in.
It's Renegade's opinion and her right to voice it, especially in HER blog!!
The whole point, which the dissenters seemed to have completely missed, was that the post in question was meant to be humourous.
Rather than continue to invade MM's blog comments (again m'Lady...my most sincere apologies for invading your space) where I was misquoted and maligned, I've invited those that wish to have a civilized "discussion" here in mine.
We'll see if anyone has the cojones to show up.
Bring it!
Btw, qt's absolute statement that "mirogynist" is in fact a word and *cough* commonly known at that...is a load of bullshit. I've searched and searched and searched and NOT found a single source. Perhaps qt could enlighten us with that source. I did however, search for a term that does represent "man-hating" as qt accused Renegade Evolution of doing - and that would be "misandrist".
If you're going to put something in print and aren't 100% sure of its origin or meaning, do your homework before putting it out there.
Having people think you're a fool and proving it to them are two entirely different entities.
In my opinion, it was a well written and very funny post...others didn't think it was all that funny and both sides voiced their opinions in MM's comments.
Not being one to step back from a challenge (think: bull in a china shop) when the OP's opinion was maligned, I put my 2 cents in.
It's Renegade's opinion and her right to voice it, especially in HER blog!!
The whole point, which the dissenters seemed to have completely missed, was that the post in question was meant to be humourous.
Rather than continue to invade MM's blog comments (again m'Lady...my most sincere apologies for invading your space) where I was misquoted and maligned, I've invited those that wish to have a civilized "discussion" here in mine.
We'll see if anyone has the cojones to show up.
Bring it!
Btw, qt's absolute statement that "mirogynist" is in fact a word and *cough* commonly known at that...is a load of bullshit. I've searched and searched and searched and NOT found a single source. Perhaps qt could enlighten us with that source. I did however, search for a term that does represent "man-hating" as qt accused Renegade Evolution of doing - and that would be "misandrist".
If you're going to put something in print and aren't 100% sure of its origin or meaning, do your homework before putting it out there.
Having people think you're a fool and proving it to them are two entirely different entities.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Much better & movin' in
Eddie's much better. He's weight bearing well on the injured leg and barely limping at all. He's back to dragging me on walks, though not nearly as aggressively as he usually does and he really doesn't care for taking the antibiotic pills at all, so I have to kinda shove it halfway down his throat in order to get it into him...lol
Yesterday & today were residence move-in days at UWO. While my *real* job is at Western, I work for Primus on these two days, signing the students up for long distance plans. It's not hard work, but most of these kids are leaving home for the first time (some are just 16!!) and they're overwhelmed with a plethora of information, forms to fill out, places to go, things to do, people to see, events to attend...and that's just "O-week". Once classes start, the real challenges begin for them to get accustomed to life without Mommy & Daddy doing everything for them. Most of the long distance charges are incurred in the first month of school...once they get used to being away from home and on their own, the calls dwindle to once or twice a month...if that...lol
I must say, the Housing dept. does a fantastic job of organizing the whole shebang. Over 4000 1st year students move into residence over the 2 day period, beginning at 8am and going until 4pm each day. It runs like a well oiled machine...mind you, they've had many, many years to perfect the process.
Yesterday & today were residence move-in days at UWO. While my *real* job is at Western, I work for Primus on these two days, signing the students up for long distance plans. It's not hard work, but most of these kids are leaving home for the first time (some are just 16!!) and they're overwhelmed with a plethora of information, forms to fill out, places to go, things to do, people to see, events to attend...and that's just "O-week". Once classes start, the real challenges begin for them to get accustomed to life without Mommy & Daddy doing everything for them. Most of the long distance charges are incurred in the first month of school...once they get used to being away from home and on their own, the calls dwindle to once or twice a month...if that...lol
I must say, the Housing dept. does a fantastic job of organizing the whole shebang. Over 4000 1st year students move into residence over the 2 day period, beginning at 8am and going until 4pm each day. It runs like a well oiled machine...mind you, they've had many, many years to perfect the process.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Poor Eddie! :(
While walking Eddie this afternoon, a stray came from nowhere and jumped him, snarling and growling and tried to bite him. I was able to pull him away unharmed and instead of continuing on our walk, we just turned around and went home.
I thought that was the end of it...
After returning home and being inside for a short time, he whined at the door to go out so I put him on the chain in our yard and came back inside to make lunch. I often hear him barking at other dogs in the neighbourhood so I didn't think much of it when he was making noise, but when I heard yelping...alarm bells went off. So I looked out the window and the same dog was in my yard attacking Eddie. It had him pinned to the ground against the fence and was biting his left front leg. I ran outside hollering and yelling and tried to pull Eddie out from underneath the stray by his chain but I was too scared to get too close and get bitten myself so I grabbed the closest "weapon"...a shovel...and smacked the other dog 2 or 3 times before he released Eddie and ran off. I quickly took him off his chain, picked him up and ran him into the house to tend to his wounds and call the police and animal control.
He's got 4 puncture wounds on his left front leg around the elbow, a small cut on his nose, and one of his dew claws was ripped in the scuffle. I cleaned the wounds as best I could - he was such a good boy and let me take care of them without too much trouble. He favours the leg but can weight bear.
For anyone that's got an issue with my method of rescue...piss off.
No really, fuck off.
I'd do the EXACT same thing again in a heart beat. That dog doesn't want to come anywhere near me or Eddie EVER again....and if I find out who the irresponsible owner is, they'll be getting an earful, not to mention small claims action brought against them for the vet bill and medication that he's got to take because of the attack. I don't even know if this dog has had its shots, but I know mine has. That's what a responsible pet owner does.
After waiting for an hour and a half for animal control (the police refused to come, saying it was a matter for animal control) to arrive, take my statement and examine his wounds for their records, I was finally able to take Eddie to the emergency veterinary clinic where we waiting for 2 & 1/2 hours to be seen by the vet for all of about 10 minutes who wanted to take x-rays and explore the wound surgically, then depending on the outcome/results he'd send us home with pain killers and antibiotics.
I'm a single mother with limited resources, so I asked the vet if all that was absolutely necessary or was he just padding the bill by "recommending" all these procedures - he got kinda snarky at that, but hey! It's my pocket he's picking! He said "well, if you don't want to look after him properly you can just take him home with the medication."
Well!! Fuck you, doc...and the horse you rode in on - I layed it out for him so it was crystal clear.
By the time I was finished with him, he was somewhat more humble and even a little apologetic, blaming his short temper on a busy day and few breaks. I asked him would that be the half an hour plus that I heard him sitting in the next room with other staff members laughing and joking about an office party they'd all attended recently, and gossiped about one of their collegues and how intoxicated she got while I waited for 2 & 1/2 HOURS with my INJURED dog? His attempt to claim otherwise was met with direct rebuttal. So I asked him, "really, are there more than just yourself working today out of the group of people I heard through the door with an accent of East Indian descent?"
He didn't have anything else to say...imagine that...
I thought that was the end of it...
After returning home and being inside for a short time, he whined at the door to go out so I put him on the chain in our yard and came back inside to make lunch. I often hear him barking at other dogs in the neighbourhood so I didn't think much of it when he was making noise, but when I heard yelping...alarm bells went off. So I looked out the window and the same dog was in my yard attacking Eddie. It had him pinned to the ground against the fence and was biting his left front leg. I ran outside hollering and yelling and tried to pull Eddie out from underneath the stray by his chain but I was too scared to get too close and get bitten myself so I grabbed the closest "weapon"...a shovel...and smacked the other dog 2 or 3 times before he released Eddie and ran off. I quickly took him off his chain, picked him up and ran him into the house to tend to his wounds and call the police and animal control.
He's got 4 puncture wounds on his left front leg around the elbow, a small cut on his nose, and one of his dew claws was ripped in the scuffle. I cleaned the wounds as best I could - he was such a good boy and let me take care of them without too much trouble. He favours the leg but can weight bear.
For anyone that's got an issue with my method of rescue...piss off.
No really, fuck off.
I'd do the EXACT same thing again in a heart beat. That dog doesn't want to come anywhere near me or Eddie EVER again....and if I find out who the irresponsible owner is, they'll be getting an earful, not to mention small claims action brought against them for the vet bill and medication that he's got to take because of the attack. I don't even know if this dog has had its shots, but I know mine has. That's what a responsible pet owner does.
After waiting for an hour and a half for animal control (the police refused to come, saying it was a matter for animal control) to arrive, take my statement and examine his wounds for their records, I was finally able to take Eddie to the emergency veterinary clinic where we waiting for 2 & 1/2 hours to be seen by the vet for all of about 10 minutes who wanted to take x-rays and explore the wound surgically, then depending on the outcome/results he'd send us home with pain killers and antibiotics.
I'm a single mother with limited resources, so I asked the vet if all that was absolutely necessary or was he just padding the bill by "recommending" all these procedures - he got kinda snarky at that, but hey! It's my pocket he's picking! He said "well, if you don't want to look after him properly you can just take him home with the medication."
Well!! Fuck you, doc...and the horse you rode in on - I layed it out for him so it was crystal clear.
By the time I was finished with him, he was somewhat more humble and even a little apologetic, blaming his short temper on a busy day and few breaks. I asked him would that be the half an hour plus that I heard him sitting in the next room with other staff members laughing and joking about an office party they'd all attended recently, and gossiped about one of their collegues and how intoxicated she got while I waited for 2 & 1/2 HOURS with my INJURED dog? His attempt to claim otherwise was met with direct rebuttal. So I asked him, "really, are there more than just yourself working today out of the group of people I heard through the door with an accent of East Indian descent?"
He didn't have anything else to say...imagine that...
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