Relieving stress with homeschool

[Guest guest]

http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q91learning.cfm

and Spencer made it into the archives of Quest's MDA magazine.

What follows is the original story from 2001.

Homeschooling: Two Stories

A STRESS RELIEVER

Spencer Robedeaux, 12, seventh grade, Lancaster, Calif.,

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)

Robedeaux wasn't sure she wanted to educate her son Spencer at

home, but he insisted. Both mother and son have CMT, and Spencer also

has diagnoses of attention deficit disorder (ADD), migraine headaches

and depression.

School was a struggle for Spencer. He experienced daily migraines,

numerous office

referrals for not paying attention, and increasing aches and pains from

carrying a

heavy backpack (the school has no lockers). In cold weather, his hands

were stiff and achy. He worried about being teased, especially about his

leg braces.

" Spencer really wanted to be in a homeschool program, " says. " I

was — and am still at times — very unsure of my capability to be a

teacher. Plus, there are good things about school, things I didn't want

him to miss out on. "

Spencer Robedeaux has had fewer health problems since his mom, ,

began

homeschooling him.

Luckily, the Robedeauxes' school district offered the perfect

compromise: a home education independent study program. For students who

qualify, the program provides textbooks, workbooks, curriculum guides

and help in setting up a homeschool program. Parents and students meet

regularly with a district teacher to turn in workbooks,

attend workshops, go on field trips or take tests. IEP goals are

honored, and

any required special computer equipment is available, although not

always in the home.

Several months into the program, and Spencer are pleased with the

results.

" It's a lot of work and takes a lot of time, but wow, what a stress

reliever! "

says.

" I used to worry about him all day long. Now he is feeling so much

better. He is off

his Ritalin [for ADD]. His headaches are down to one a week. His

attitude is better.

He is warm in the cold weather. Public school can be so hard on kids

with CMT and ADD.

" I don't love homeschool, but it is nice that he is feeling better and I

like being

able to help him at home. "