...and then it goes away anyway. I was fully prepared to write my first blog on either my experiene at the optometrist's office this morning or my completely wonderful 2 hours of scrapping downstairs listening to "Evita," knowing the girls were sleeping beautifully upstairs...then I came upstairs, settled down under the down comforter, reared up the computer, and got this completely amazing email from Beth, Camille's Teacher of the Visually Impaird (TVI). Here' a snippet:
Hi Jen!
I ran out of time on Friday to write to you. We had a great day on Friday, even though she had the yuckys in her nose and chest! We did several activities in class - she was coloring a project and said to me, "Beth, will you please draw me a little triangle?" I almost fell off my chair! Jessie's mouth dropped open - it was great! I know you get to hear her talk like that at home, but that was a first for me! LOVED IT!!
Then, she and I went out in the hall for mobility and worked with the cane. I wished for you so much! She did so great!! First we walked down the hall, me holding her hand and she holding the cane. We "found" things with the cane...the tile floor, a box, the carpet, the stairs. She'd tap it with her cane, we'd talk about what it sounded like, then we'd touch it and talk about what it felt like - she was really into it! On the way back to the class room (we walked all the way down to the far end of the hall) I had her trail the wall on the left and hold the cane in her right. She stopped more, but did wonderfully! She looked tremendous walking on her own with the cane down the hall. You HAVE to come see!! Sandy came out and watched her for awhile - "amazing" was what she said! She also told me you were planning on coming in the next couple of weeks anyway, so just make sure to let me know so that I will be there with her cane.
Just had to let you know - it was exciting! Such a good start!
There are so many amazing things about this email. My baby girl has her first white cane. (And you must see it. It may possibly be THE cutest inanimate object you ever did see.) She is strong enough to use it now! She is interested in it! She is a walking, talking, former 25-week preemie. You go, girl!
However, the thing that is touching my heart tonight is that Beth, her TVI, emailed me this update at 5:00 pm on a Saturday. Read her email again because you can feel the love jumping right off of the screen. What more could you ask for as a parent than for a teacher to love her student ad believe in her enough to take chances? Camille is little. She's had a lot of setbacks. She has had a hard time getting up on her feet. Most people would have thought I was crazy when I asked to put a cane in her hand. But not Beth. She researched and believed. She put the cane in Camille's little hand. A child and a teacher and a family trusting each other and working with each other for the sake of the child--it is such a wonderful, beautiful thing. We know how good we have it and sensed that since Beth took over as Camille's TVI when she was 19 months old.
And now Beth's moving. And I'm a mess. I've met Carrie, Camille's new teacher, and she is wonderful. I have no doubt she'll do a great job with Camille...if she's able to tolerate me! But somehow, it doesn't make it any easier that in less than 30 days, our Beth will be on her way to Wisconsin.
At least she was the one to give Camille her first white cane.
2 comments:
Sniff. What a sweet story. I know how you feel - Sammie's first teacher who babysat for us, too, just moved. It was heartbreaking.
I read this through smiles and tears - Grammie (that's me)gets pretty emotional every time Camille shows us what she's made of and what a great little trooper she is. She continues to surmount obstacles and astound those of us who love her and continually hold her in our hearts and prayers. Since I had the pleasure of meeting Beth and visiting with her a couple times, I know how you feel - she is a real treasure and Camille is fortunate to have had such a great support person.
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