Fierce Mama Bear

 "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!"
- Mrs.  Weasley, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
written by J.K. Rowling

Those are strong words from a mother who will do anything to protect her child.  In the context of that quote, Mrs. Weasley is protecting her daughter, Ginny, from the evil Bellatrix with all the fury that love can muster and the sacrifice of knowing that she puts her own life in jeopardy.

So...why am I quoting J.K. Rowling?  Well, have you ever heard stories about how a mama bear will protect her cubs in the wild?  Well, this Mama Bear is fierce when it comes to my Sister Bear and Brother Bear.  For two years I have struggled with the school trying to get help because I felt that my daughter my have a learning disability.  Last year, she was failing her elementary class. Seriously, she was failing elementary!  She had a teacher who didn't seem to mind giving her "E" on every assignment and never thought twice about it.  When I continuously asked how I could help her, I never got the support I needed.

At a parent teacher conference, her teacher flippantly had the nerve to say, "Oh great!  Another Special Ed student!"  I was in tears (of anger and frustration) because if, indeed, my child needed special help then help me give it to her.  I had to beg for the school to give her a Child Study, which I felt wasn't handled very well.  I kept saying that I thought she was Dyslexic and needed help to get her a screening (at the time our family was without health insurance due to a job loss) and their answer was to start testing her on items a grade level below where she was instead of helping me find the problem...I was beyond angry, frustration,  and hurt.  I didn't know where to go to find the resources to even begin researching.  I was that parent without health insurance trying to help my child.  I didn't have the money for a pediatrician visit.  I didn't know what to do.  I didn't know where to begin.

Fortunately, I got a new job last Winter where I met many amazing people who directed me where to go for information and to find a list of doctors to talk to.  Finally, I had resources to work with. Once the benefits kicked in, I was able to schedule an appointment with a neuro-psychologist.  Actually, I ended up doing this for both children because Brother Bear's teachers approached me with struggles that he was having.  Now here is the "funny" thing about this elementary school...they got him a screening with the local dyslexia center with no problem and started the groundwork to have him screened for special education classes/help.  Now how is it that within the same school this can happen?  Apparently, it does depend on the teacher. ARGH!  By all means, I am not knocking the profession of education.  I know that it's hard for teachers to work with the limited resources (i.e. budget cuts)  they have but when you have a parent that is willing to work with you...

Anyways, over the summer (because these doctors schedule way out in advance) they had all of their testing.  The doctor and her assistants had the bears in for a day and they tested them where they could assess all quadrants of the brain.  I have been working with the local Dyslexia center to get the tutoring help they need.  I have a great group of teachers this year who are working with my children to give them the assistance that they need so that they don't have to struggle.  My bears are getting the help they need...finally.

Sister Bear won't get the typical parent-teacher conference this year because her teacher contacted me and asked that we have a sit down with all of her teachers so we can discuss how we, as a team, can help her.  They will work with me on any accommodations that need to be made.  Why was this so hard last year?  I'm thankful that it's not this year.  I am finally getting cooperation.  I do have to admit, if I didn't have my health insurance, all of the testing would have cost a few thousand dollars.  Now...how are uninsured people supposed to pay this?  Apparently, you don't get assistance until you get a diagnosis yet how do you get a diagnosis when you don't even know where to go?  ARGH!

2011 is the year to be positive, productive and full of wonder possibility...

Just remember, we are our children's strongest advocates.  We have to be active in their learning.  We have a great educational system that is struggling with budget cuts .  I am still disappointed that the school didn't give me resources to check out...but, we are working together now.  Just be warned, I am a lot like Mrs. Weasley and I will protect my children with my life, if need be.