Re: Sara/Re: Report Card in the Mail....

[Guest guest]

Sara,

He is doing ok with the driving. I should have him practice more but that's my

fault. Most times I will stop at the beginning of our 300' driveway and switch.

He can drive up the driveway to the circle, go around the circle, drive into the

back portion, stop and turn, back up and maneuver around my equipment. I have

just started having him park inbetween the lines in parking lots. The next step

is the road.

The plan is that Zeb will attend Mason University in September 2012. It

is my fault that he is not attending this fall. I did not know that I was

supposed to court them when Zeb was in his junior year. It was an unspoken rule.

It is a 4 yr program and I do not think they offer driving lessons but it would

be nice.

Charlyne

>

>

> Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> To:

> Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 12:20 PM

>

> Oh Charlyne! How wonderful & how proud Zeb must have been!!!!!!!!

>

> The teacher felt Zeb deserved this-it would have been VERY easy to NOT give

> this award to honor him. (Same with Lori's son, methinks)

>

> With no one the wiser. Such is my perspective-both teachers found a desire

> to honor a student's hard work.

>

> Please always brag. Everyone brag ( & vent) because in actuality it helps us

> all in some way. I know that it gladdens my heart, provides hope that things

> are indeed changing & just makes my soul give a little dance whenever I read

> of any of the kiddos being honored or achieving skills or being brave...so

> brave facing this world AND without the filters much of the humans sadly

> possess.

>

> Kris whose heart is dancing a jig

>

>

>

> >

>

> > Lori, Kris & Group,

>

> > I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime

> example. A few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior

> award/scholarship evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving. Both

> my older kids never were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the best

> of the best scholars at the HS and only those select few receive an

> invitation. I could not imagine Zeb seated on this stage with the brightest

> HS students. It certainly was a first and I needed to witness this front and

> center. As I suspected Zeb was seated with his peers that had all excelled

> in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was an honor for Zeb to be included

> in this small group. I would bet his life that it was the first time a

> student with an intellectual disability has shared that stage. Each student

> is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from the department

> chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class valedictorian on one

> side

>

> > and another student that had received an excellence award by the science

> dept for physics. Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

> accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking about a

> kid that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each other

> and had to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to

> think of this award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and

> masterfly includes him. He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last year at

> the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the Phantom of the Opera and was also

> included with three other boys in an accappello redition of My Guy with a

> little Motown dance number. The boys got a standing ovation. Zeb only sang

> the my guy, with his deep voice but had perfect timing. Like many teenagers,

> Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I have done my best to redirect

> his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly chorus concert is Thursday

>

> > evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me what

> he is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does not

> value disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said to

> this teacher for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event. Overall I

> think it was great that he was included and seated on that stage. I was

> proud of him regardless if he deserved that award.Â

>

> > Charlyne Â

>

> >

>

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

Since Geroge MAson is a state school and so is ODU, maybe they can learn

something from it! Sorry it didn't work out for this year.

> **

>

>

> Sara,

> He is doing ok with the driving. I should have him practice more but that's

> my fault. Most times I will stop at the beginning of our 300' driveway and

> switch. He can drive up the driveway to the circle, go around the circle,

> drive into the back portion, stop and turn, back up and maneuver around my

> equipment. I have just started having him park inbetween the lines in

> parking lots. The next step is the road.

>

> The plan is that Zeb will attend Mason University in September 2012.

> It is my fault that he is not attending this fall. I did not know that I was

> supposed to court them when Zeb was in his junior year. It was an unspoken

> rule. It is a 4 yr program and I do not think they offer driving lessons but

> it would be nice.

> Charlyne

>

>

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> > To:

>

> > Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 12:20 PM

>

> >

>

> > Oh Charlyne! How wonderful & how proud Zeb must have been!!!!!!!!

>

> >

>

> > The teacher felt Zeb deserved this-it would have been VERY easy to NOT

> give

>

> > this award to honor him. (Same with Lori's son, methinks)

>

> >

>

> > With no one the wiser. Such is my perspective-both teachers found a

> desire

>

> > to honor a student's hard work.

>

> >

>

> > Please always brag. Everyone brag ( & vent) because in actuality it helps

> us

>

> > all in some way. I know that it gladdens my heart, provides hope that

> things

>

> > are indeed changing & just makes my soul give a little dance whenever I

> read

>

> > of any of the kiddos being honored or achieving skills or being

> brave...so

>

> > brave facing this world AND without the filters much of the humans sadly

>

> > possess.

>

> >

>

> > Kris whose heart is dancing a jig

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Lori, Kris & Group,

>

> >

>

> > > I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime

>

> > example. A few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior

>

> > award/scholarship evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving.

> Both

>

> > my older kids never were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the

> best

>

> > of the best scholars at the HS and only those select few receive an

>

> > invitation. I could not imagine Zeb seated on this stage with the

> brightest

>

> > HS students. It certainly was a first and I needed to witness this front

> and

>

> > center. As I suspected Zeb was seated with his peers that had all

> excelled

>

> > in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was an honor for Zeb to be

> included

>

> > in this small group. I would bet his life that it was the first time a

>

> > student with an intellectual disability has shared that stage. Each

> student

>

> > is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from the

> department

>

> > chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class valedictorian on one

>

> > side

>

> >

>

> > > and another student that had received an excellence award by the

> science

>

> > dept for physics. Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

>

> > accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking about

> a

>

> > kid that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each

> other

>

> > and had to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to

>

> > think of this award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and

>

> > masterfly includes him. He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last year

> at

>

> > the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the Phantom of the Opera and was also

>

> > included with three other boys in an accappello redition of My Guy with a

>

> > little Motown dance number. The boys got a standing ovation. Zeb only

> sang

>

> > the my guy, with his deep voice but had perfect timing. Like many

> teenagers,

>

> > Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I have done my best to redirect

>

> > his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly chorus concert is Thursday

>

> >

>

> > > evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me

> what

>

> > he is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does not

>

> > value disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said to

>

> > this teacher for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event. Overall

> I

>

> > think it was great that he was included and seated on that stage. I was

>

> > proud of him regardless if he deserved that award.Â

>

> >

>

> > > Charlyne Â

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> >

[Guest guest]

Sara,

Yes they are state schools. GMU has a beautiful campus and Zeb really liked it.

Zeb met the staff that he will be working with and liked them too. He can't

wait. I have to create a bridge year. The district refused to support him.

Charlyne

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> > To:

>

> > Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 12:20 PM

>

> >

>

> > Oh Charlyne! How wonderful & how proud Zeb must have been!!!!!!!!

>

> >

>

> > The teacher felt Zeb deserved this-it would have been VERY easy to NOT

> give

>

> > this award to honor him. (Same with Lori's son, methinks)

>

> >

>

> > With no one the wiser. Such is my perspective-both teachers found a

> desire

>

> > to honor a student's hard work.

>

> >

>

> > Please always brag. Everyone brag ( & vent) because in actuality it helps

> us

>

> > all in some way. I know that it gladdens my heart, provides hope that

> things

>

> > are indeed changing & just makes my soul give a little dance whenever I

> read

>

> > of any of the kiddos being honored or achieving skills or being

> brave...so

>

> > brave facing this world AND without the filters much of the humans sadly

>

> > possess.

>

> >

>

> > Kris whose heart is dancing a jig

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Lori, Kris & Group,

>

> >

>

> > > I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime

>

> > example. A few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior

>

> > award/scholarship evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving.

> Both

>

> > my older kids never were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the

> best

>

> > of the best scholars at the HS and only those select few receive an

>

> > invitation. I could not imagine Zeb seated on this stage with the

> brightest

>

> > HS students. It certainly was a first and I needed to witness this front

> and

>

> > center. As I suspected Zeb was seated with his peers that had all

> excelled

>

> > in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was an honor for Zeb to be

> included

>

> > in this small group. I would bet his life that it was the first time a

>

> > student with an intellectual disability has shared that stage. Each

> student

>

> > is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from the

> department

>

> > chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class valedictorian on one

>

> > side

>

> >

>

> > > and another student that had received an excellence award by the

> science

>

> > dept for physics. Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

>

> > accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking about

> a

>

> > kid that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each

> other

>

> > and had to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to

>

> > think of this award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and

>

> > masterfly includes him. He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last year

> at

>

> > the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the Phantom of the Opera and was also

>

> > included with three other boys in an accappello redition of My Guy with a

>

> > little Motown dance number. The boys got a standing ovation. Zeb only

> sang

>

> > the my guy, with his deep voice but had perfect timing. Like many

> teenagers,

>

> > Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I have done my best to redirect

>

> > his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly chorus concert is Thursday

>

> >

>

> > > evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me

> what

>

> > he is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does not

>

> > value disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said to

>

> > this teacher for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event. Overall

> I

>

> > think it was great that he was included and seated on that stage. I was

>

> > proud of him regardless if he deserved that award.Â

>

> >

>

> > > Charlyne Â

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> >

[Guest guest]

Do you have a Habitat for Humanity store? Maybe you can make something

happen with them. Where I have been they have been most accommodating - and

there is so much going on in those stores - people coming, new stock, old

stock, helping set up, etc.

> **

>

>

> Sara,

> Yes they are state schools. GMU has a beautiful campus and Zeb really liked

> it. Zeb met the staff that he will be working with and liked them too. He

> can't wait. I have to create a bridge year. The district refused to support

> him.

> Charlyne

>

>

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> >

>

> > > To:

>

> >

>

> > > Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 12:20 PM

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Oh Charlyne! How wonderful & how proud Zeb must have been!!!!!!!!

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > The teacher felt Zeb deserved this-it would have been VERY easy to NOT

>

> > give

>

> >

>

> > > this award to honor him. (Same with Lori's son, methinks)

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > With no one the wiser. Such is my perspective-both teachers found a

>

> > desire

>

> >

>

> > > to honor a student's hard work.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Please always brag. Everyone brag ( & vent) because in actuality it

> helps

>

> > us

>

> >

>

> > > all in some way. I know that it gladdens my heart, provides hope that

>

> > things

>

> >

>

> > > are indeed changing & just makes my soul give a little dance whenever I

>

> > read

>

> >

>

> > > of any of the kiddos being honored or achieving skills or being

>

> > brave...so

>

> >

>

> > > brave facing this world AND without the filters much of the humans

> sadly

>

> >

>

> > > possess.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Kris whose heart is dancing a jig

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Lori, Kris & Group,

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime

>

> >

>

> > > example. A few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior

>

> >

>

> > > award/scholarship evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving.

>

> > Both

>

> >

>

> > > my older kids never were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the

>

> > best

>

> >

>

> > > of the best scholars at the HS and only those select few receive an

>

> >

>

> > > invitation. I could not imagine Zeb seated on this stage with the

>

> > brightest

>

> >

>

> > > HS students. It certainly was a first and I needed to witness this

> front

>

> > and

>

> >

>

> > > center. As I suspected Zeb was seated with his peers that had all

>

> > excelled

>

> >

>

> > > in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was an honor for Zeb to be

>

> > included

>

> >

>

> > > in this small group. I would bet his life that it was the first time a

>

> >

>

> > > student with an intellectual disability has shared that stage. Each

>

> > student

>

> >

>

> > > is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from the

>

> > department

>

> >

>

> > > chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class valedictorian on

> one

>

> >

>

> > > side

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > and another student that had received an excellence award by the

>

> > science

>

> >

>

> > > dept for physics. Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

>

> >

>

> > > accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking

> about

>

> > a

>

> >

>

> > > kid that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each

>

> > other

>

> >

>

> > > and had to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to

>

> >

>

> > > think of this award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and

>

> >

>

> > > masterfly includes him. He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last year

>

> > at

>

> >

>

> > > the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the Phantom of the Opera and was also

>

> >

>

> > > included with three other boys in an accappello redition of My Guy with

> a

>

> >

>

> > > little Motown dance number. The boys got a standing ovation. Zeb only

>

> > sang

>

> >

>

> > > the my guy, with his deep voice but had perfect timing. Like many

>

> > teenagers,

>

> >

>

> > > Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I have done my best to

> redirect

>

> >

>

> > > his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly chorus concert is

> Thursday

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me

>

> > what

>

> >

>

> > > he is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does

> not

>

> >

>

> > > value disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said

> to

>

> >

>

> > > this teacher for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event.

> Overall

>

> > I

>

> >

>

> > > think it was great that he was included and seated on that stage. I was

>

> >

>

> > > proud of him regardless if he deserved that award.Â

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Charlyne Â

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

[Guest guest]

Sara, no we don't have that type of store. Zeb refuses to work in a store. He

has specific ideas on what he wants to do. He plans to go to the community

college to take a public speaking course. I am not certain if he will decide to

take any other courses. He also plans on setting up a program for teens and

adults with support from the CDSC to speak at schools and various groups about

life experiences and living with a disability. He would like to work in our

Congressman's office. He has to put together a proposal for the CDSC and present

his idea to their board. He also wants to start writing his book. He has a

publisher. Guess who will be doing all this typing and driving. I am going to

try to get a speech recognition software to recognize his voice. I am not

certain how well this will work but at least he can do some of this himself if

it does. he keeps me very busy.

Charlyne

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> >

>

> > > To:

>

> >

>

> > > Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 12:20 PM

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Oh Charlyne! How wonderful & how proud Zeb must have been!!!!!!!!

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > The teacher felt Zeb deserved this-it would have been VERY easy to NOT

>

> > give

>

> >

>

> > > this award to honor him. (Same with Lori's son, methinks)

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > With no one the wiser. Such is my perspective-both teachers found a

>

> > desire

>

> >

>

> > > to honor a student's hard work.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Please always brag. Everyone brag ( & vent) because in actuality it

> helps

>

> > us

>

> >

>

> > > all in some way. I know that it gladdens my heart, provides hope that

>

> > things

>

> >

>

> > > are indeed changing & just makes my soul give a little dance whenever I

>

> > read

>

> >

>

> > > of any of the kiddos being honored or achieving skills or being

>

> > brave...so

>

> >

>

> > > brave facing this world AND without the filters much of the humans

> sadly

>

> >

>

> > > possess.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Kris whose heart is dancing a jig

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Lori, Kris & Group,

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime

>

> >

>

> > > example. A few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior

>

> >

>

> > > award/scholarship evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving.

>

> > Both

>

> >

>

> > > my older kids never were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the

>

> > best

>

> >

>

> > > of the best scholars at the HS and only those select few receive an

>

> >

>

> > > invitation. I could not imagine Zeb seated on this stage with the

>

> > brightest

>

> >

>

> > > HS students. It certainly was a first and I needed to witness this

> front

>

> > and

>

> >

>

> > > center. As I suspected Zeb was seated with his peers that had all

>

> > excelled

>

> >

>

> > > in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was an honor for Zeb to be

>

> > included

>

> >

>

> > > in this small group. I would bet his life that it was the first time a

>

> >

>

> > > student with an intellectual disability has shared that stage. Each

>

> > student

>

> >

>

> > > is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from the

>

> > department

>

> >

>

> > > chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class valedictorian on

> one

>

> >

>

> > > side

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > and another student that had received an excellence award by the

>

> > science

>

> >

>

> > > dept for physics. Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

>

> >

>

> > > accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking

> about

>

> > a

>

> >

>

> > > kid that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each

>

> > other

>

> >

>

> > > and had to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to

>

> >

>

> > > think of this award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and

>

> >

>

> > > masterfly includes him. He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last year

>

> > at

>

> >

>

> > > the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the Phantom of the Opera and was also

>

> >

>

> > > included with three other boys in an accappello redition of My Guy with

> a

>

> >

>

> > > little Motown dance number. The boys got a standing ovation. Zeb only

>

> > sang

>

> >

>

> > > the my guy, with his deep voice but had perfect timing. Like many

>

> > teenagers,

>

> >

>

> > > Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I have done my best to

> redirect

>

> >

>

> > > his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly chorus concert is

> Thursday

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me

>

> > what

>

> >

>

> > > he is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does

> not

>

> >

>

> > > value disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said

> to

>

> >

>

> > > this teacher for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event.

> Overall

>

> > I

>

> >

>

> > > think it was great that he was included and seated on that stage. I was

>

> >

>

> > > proud of him regardless if he deserved that award.Â

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Charlyne Â

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

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> > >

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> >

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> > > >

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> > >

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> > >

[Guest guest]

Dragon has/had a speech recognition program. My son with dyslexia used it

for years.

Funny about a person's ideas. Elie wants to have a CLUB - Elie's Club for

dancing! Guess who is searching for a place to accomplish this???

> **

>

>

> Sara, no we don't have that type of store. Zeb refuses to work in a store.

> He has specific ideas on what he wants to do. He plans to go to the

> community college to take a public speaking course. I am not certain if he

> will decide to take any other courses. He also plans on setting up a program

> for teens and adults with support from the CDSC to speak at schools and

> various groups about life experiences and living with a disability. He would

> like to work in our Congressman's office. He has to put together a proposal

> for the CDSC and present his idea to their board. He also wants to start

> writing his book. He has a publisher. Guess who will be doing all this

> typing and driving. I am going to try to get a speech recognition software

> to recognize his voice. I am not certain how well this will work but at

> least he can do some of this himself if it does. he keeps me very busy.

> Charlyne

>

>

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > To:

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 12:20 PM

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Oh Charlyne! How wonderful & how proud Zeb must have been!!!!!!!!

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > The teacher felt Zeb deserved this-it would have been VERY easy to

> NOT

>

> >

>

> > > give

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > this award to honor him. (Same with Lori's son, methinks)

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > With no one the wiser. Such is my perspective-both teachers found a

>

> >

>

> > > desire

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > to honor a student's hard work.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Please always brag. Everyone brag ( & vent) because in actuality it

>

> > helps

>

> >

>

> > > us

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > all in some way. I know that it gladdens my heart, provides hope that

>

> >

>

> > > things

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > are indeed changing & just makes my soul give a little dance whenever

> I

>

> >

>

> > > read

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > of any of the kiddos being honored or achieving skills or being

>

> >

>

> > > brave...so

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > brave facing this world AND without the filters much of the humans

>

> > sadly

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > possess.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Kris whose heart is dancing a jig

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > > Lori, Kris & Group,

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > > I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > example. A few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the

> senior

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > award/scholarship evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be

> receiving.

>

> >

>

> > > Both

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > my older kids never were invited. I know this event is exclusive to

> the

>

> >

>

> > > best

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > of the best scholars at the HS and only those select few receive an

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > invitation. I could not imagine Zeb seated on this stage with the

>

> >

>

> > > brightest

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > HS students. It certainly was a first and I needed to witness this

>

> > front

>

> >

>

> > > and

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > center. As I suspected Zeb was seated with his peers that had all

>

> >

>

> > > excelled

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was an honor for Zeb to be

>

> >

>

> > > included

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > in this small group. I would bet his life that it was the first time

> a

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > student with an intellectual disability has shared that stage. Each

>

> >

>

> > > student

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from the

>

> >

>

> > > department

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class valedictorian on

>

> > one

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > side

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > > and another student that had received an excellence award by the

>

> >

>

> > > science

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > dept for physics. Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking

>

> > about

>

> >

>

> > > a

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > kid that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at

> each

>

> >

>

> > > other

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > and had to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what

> to

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > think of this award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > masterfly includes him. He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last

> year

>

> >

>

> > > at

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the Phantom of the Opera and was

> also

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > included with three other boys in an accappello redition of My Guy

> with

>

> > a

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > little Motown dance number. The boys got a standing ovation. Zeb

> only

>

> >

>

> > > sang

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > the my guy, with his deep voice but had perfect timing. Like many

>

> >

>

> > > teenagers,

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I have done my best to

>

> > redirect

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly chorus concert is

>

> > Thursday

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > > evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me

>

> >

>

> > > what

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > he is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does

>

> > not

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > value disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said

>

> > to

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > this teacher for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event.

>

> > Overall

>

> >

>

> > > I

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > think it was great that he was included and seated on that stage. I

> was

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > proud of him regardless if he deserved that award.Â

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > > Charlyne Â

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > >