Jazz Tunes: School

As I have eluded to in other posts, Jazz has had a rough year when it comes to school. It has now come to her having a unique program designed just for her within the home. She became so stressed and anxious about what was happening to her at school, that her physical health deteriorated and she came down with pneumonia for a month. She was coming home with bruises from the adults within the classroom who would perform "holds," aka: physical restraints on her, without our consent nor with proper training. Our last straw came when she cried out to her doctor, "They hurt me!" and revealed bruises on her chest and arms. She also had one on the back of her neck. This was from a restraint performed on concrete by three adults, two of which were not trained. In the midst of telling the doctor and mom this, she turned white and with a look of shock, she panicked and said, "I'm going to get in trouble! I can't tell you this!"

Needless to say, this was the point at which I took her to the police and she has not returned to school. And so I sit here typing as I watch her performing unique school tasks with myself and her behavioral aid on our living room floor. We have not been able to do any tasks related to her previous books from her classroom, because she has panic attacks if anything from her classroom has been brought into the house. Therefore we have had to get really creative in what we use to address the curriculum. For example, we made a solar system model out of cake, a bracelet that represents the water cycle, our own book of revolutionary war facts and figures, and much more. She has also been able to start therapeutic horseback riding with great success and passion.

These last couple months have been exhausting, draining, hard, and one of the most rewarding periods of growth for Jazz that we had not seen for a long time. Her physical health has improved beyond anything she had before. Things about her health that we just assumed were part of the brain injury, (ie digestive health) have even shown vast improvement. We have learned so much about what makes her who she is, what she loves, as well as what drives her passion. She is also happy everyday and finally retaining knowledge! She had slipped back to math skills of a second grader and had no clue what she had been learning in other subjects. Now she can recite the water cycle, recall math facts, and is enjoying physical activities outdoors! (she was not being allowed to go outside and play)

Blessings in disguise, has been my mantra during these last couple of months. We have had a lot of issues to deal with as adults, but when we get down to her level, we see this is the best way to be a kid right now. Especially since this kid has had more to deal with in 11 years, than most people have in a life time. More stories and updates will be coming soon...

Much Love!