Kim Smith

Executive Director and Lead FRC

P2P Groups and Events

Fundraisers/Donations

Parent to Parent News

Sibshops is Back!  

 Transition

Please contact Karen Huggins if you need assistance with IEP meetings or Transition Planning from school to work or other community resources.

Karen can be reached at 352-1126 ext. 111 or khuggins@ssp2p.org.   

Legislative Corner  

Federal Funding for Special Education

It's nice to know that there are at least 2 Congressman out there who want to make good on the promise that Congress made nearly 40 years ago to fund the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) at 40%, which would greatly reduce the stress of funding special education for states and school districts. A Senator from Iowa, Tom Harkin, and a Representative from Colorado, Jared Polis, both plan to introduce bills into Congress that would increase federal funding for special education by about 24%. Of course, funding means that the money has to come from somewhere. Under Senator Harkin's plan, the money would come from increasing the taxes on cigarettes and small cigars. Representative Polis suggests cutting spending on what he believes to be wasteful and unnecessary Pentagon defense programs. Either way, our students with developmental disabilities would win and school districts could take a much needed sigh of relief!

~Karen Huggins        

                                                                               The Learners

     Hello Everyone,

     During the course of my past eight years being involved with disabilities, especially on a personal level, I have encountered some puzzling things. I have often noticed a breakdown on all fronts of my children's life plan. Not a complete breakdown, but holes, some of them gaping and others just a bit transparent. Most of them are out of my control, which makes it so difficult to deal with, especially when I dedicate to better my children's lives. There are many areas of concern, from education to medical, on through to later living. Everything is so overwhelming, especially in the early years when it comes at you from every direction. That's why it's so important to become a learner.

     I love and often use the phrase, "I can plant a seed!" usually for some ridiculous situation I have influenced someone in my direction. But in this particular case I like to use a seed as a comparison for our children. When you plants seeds, in the beginning they require more work. They need the proper amounts of food, water and sunlight to get started. This helps establish a good root foundation for a strong and fruitful life. We should have some say in our seeds we plant, don't you think?

     I remember when I first got sent on my journey, I was like this vacant scared person, being handed all this information, care plans, and course of action "stuff." I listened to what they all had to say, but it didn't stick with me at that time. It was just too much, and most of it I really didn't understand. I didn't know an I.E.P. from my ABC's. I needed to be told what to do, and how to do it, because I didn't know how myself. And I did just that. But as I started to get my sea legs under me and learn about my children and the system, I began to question things. Probably like most people, I don't like being told to do something just because someone says so. I like to think about why and make sure I understand the instructions and their purpose. (Plus I have a big mouth anyway.) I want you all to realize that what I eventually did was to discover that I had a voice, and when I used it I began to see that I had some influence. What I said and the input I had could be very powerful in a room of teachers, Dr's and PhD's... and I was just little ol' Mr. G.

     Both of my son's have Fragile X disorder. Early on in their lives, they were diagnosed with a disorder called Kabuki Syndrome. It was based on what doctors thought they saw in my kid's appearance and level of delay at the time since there is no genetic marker or blood test. It didn't feel right to me, I knew there was something, but not that. After fighting for a second and third opinion they were diagnosed with Fragile X, and a blood test confirmed it.

     Now, the course of action as far as therapies and such go wouldn't necessarily change, but my ex- wife's family (the gene was discovered in her blood as well) was made aware of a genetic disorder that was most definitely going to repeat itself again. This new diagnosis allowed family members to get tested and know what they were potentially dealing with if they wanted children. Many family members were carriers or also affected. If I didn't speak up or question things," Kabuki Syndrome" would have continued to show its "unexplained" self.

     It is really important for us as caregivers to realize that we have a voice and with a little education and backbone we can be in the driver's seat, and not just a passenger. We need to stand up and not be afraid to question and believe in ourselves because, "If you don't believe in something, you will fall for anything."-(multiple variations and sources.) Be a learner!

     Here is the quote that influenced the title; it was given to me by my pal Nolan, an eleven year old boy who gives me hope for future generations. It's by Eric Hoffer. "In times of change the learners will inherit the earth, while the knowers will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."

Matt Graffagnino

Volunteers

Volunteer Needs

Thank You

Thank you to all of the volunteers, vendors, entertainers and staff who helped to make Sensational Saturday a great event!   It was an awesome team effort!! 

Sometimes in our fast paced society kids get stuck in the "go -go -go mode".  In this class, parent and child will learn to shift gears and slow down.  We will use music, movement and sensory experience to learn relaxation skills for home, school and life.  We welcome all parents, caregivers and nannies.

Contact Brianna Cooper, Instructor at 360-596-9696 for more information.   

New Additions to the Lending Program

Books

*The Signing Family:  What Every Parent Should Know about Sign Communication

*Literacy and Your Deaf Child:  What Every Parent Should Know

*Children with Hearing Loss:  Developing Listening and Talking, Birth to Six

*Tiny Baby Signs

DVD

*Talk to Me!  A Parent's Guide to Baby Sign Language

Equipment

*Disc-o-sit

*Peanut Ball (small and large)

*Wedge Pillow 

*Bath bench seat

*Bumbo seat with tray

Toys 

*Sit to Stand Learning Walker

*Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

*1,2,3 Crawl Along Snail

*Stride to Ride Dino 

News from the Board 

   

     Our First Sensational Saturday

Erika Krupp, Board President