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Monday, 16 March 2009

Child Studies

For the last four years I have been a guest speaker at Kings Meadows High School child studies class. A couple of weeks ago Aaron told me that the teacher was asking when I was going to come in again so we arranged that I would go in today and would take Noah.

Aaron had the period off teaching so he stayed in the class as well and helped out with Harri and Kobe. I don't think he saw much of Kobe though as the girls were all fighting about who was going to hold him.

They set Harri up with some playdough, and we didn't hear from him the whole time!

I put together a powerpoint presentation all about Noah and how we found out that he had hydranencephaly, and all the things that we need to do to care for him every day.

The students always seem to love it and sit so quietly just listening. The funniest thing was that two of the students in the class used to be in the first Kindergarten class that I ever taught! It was funny talking to them about Kinder and seeing how much they had grown up - although I still could tell who they were. The only boy in the class was in my Kinder class and is now a prefect. Goes to show how much of an influence I had on him! ;)

Although Aaron has been teaching for a while, its always funny seeing him in action at work. The child studies teacher made a comment about 'Mr King isn't legendary here at all' (being sarcastic) and with the way the students act its easy to see that they love him as a teacher. I think its good for them to see what Aaron has to deal with at home. The teacher was asking how we cope with Noah when he is in hospital and luckily we haven't had to deal with that for a while, but she was amazed that Aaron will sometimes stay the night in hospital with Noah and then go and teach the next day.

I asked if they had any questions and they were all very quiet, but on the way out the teacher said one of the girls wanted to ask me something, but wanted to ask me in private. She came out with me and asked me when we thought Noah would die. I told her we didn't know and she got tears in her eyes and started crying and said 'I feel sorry for you guys'. She was lovely and I told her it was okay. Often people hear about the hard stuff, but don't realise how much love we have for Noah at the same time, so it's hard for them to see the positive side of having a child with a disability.

7 comments:

  1. Wow - think of all the good you did, and how those kids will look at people with disabilities differently now - hopefully in a more positive light! I think there should be more "real" classes like that for teenagers, with victims of car and motorcycle accidents, people with diseases etc. talking to kids - it sinks in more than anything a parent or teacher ever says!

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  2. What a great experience for them! I totally agree about kids having more "real life" experiences while they're young....helps prepare them for whatever life might throw at them!
    Harri looks as happy as a pig in mud....our Beck is like that, pen and paper and you won't hear from her for hours!

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  3. Such a great experience for the kids, they will look at those with disabilities a bit different now.

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  4. What a great experience for you and for the students.
    You obviously spent a lot of time in preparation, and i'm sure the students loved having your gorgeous family come in a speak to them.
    Looked like they were loving your boys

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  5. I bet Mr King is a legend...i'd have loved to have had him at queechy back in the day:)

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  6. It certainly sounds like you made an impact on the class. Who knows what life will throw at them when they leave school and they will look back on today and remember what you and Noah taught them. xx

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  7. Wow Lisa!! Well done!!! Wish more people would share their story so that others can see what life is like caring for kids with disabilities, the good and the bad. So glad you had the opportunity to be open with these kids and hope their eyes have been opened as well as their hearts.

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We are so grateful for everyone's love and support, and appreciate your comments xoxo