~The O'Neill Boys~

Middle School is exhausting!  Went to school today with Colin only for the morning.  No nurse today so Priscilla (para-eduacator) rode in the back with Colin over to the school.  She knows most of his blips and beeps so we're confident to do this.  That said, it was more stressful being there without a nurse but we did it!

Colin has his pictures taken and the Lifetouch photographer was very kind and took the time we needed.  It was great doing it on re-take day since there wasn't the huge mass of kids and confusion like there is during the initial session.  Still won't be the best shot but it's done.  I let him have his 'nose pickers' (bipap) on for the first time.  Just not worth the stress on him and me to try without.

Saw a bunch of our teacher friends.  Picked out a couple of graphic novels in the library (a Scooby Doo and The Olympians:  Zeus.

Then we headed upstairs to meet the crew to practice the evacuation plan.  The Middle School core classes are all upstairs so we needed to practice.  Saw some more teachers and school friends while we were waiting.  Colin got to show some of the teachers and kids a picture of him in his scary Halloween costume so that makes him happy.

He got very nervous and his hands were dripping with sweat when we were preparing the sled but did fine and even laughed.  We have a 6 person team and could do it with four if we had to, but it wouldn't be pretty :)  We have a huge sled that he lays on and we put his vent in there with him.  4 people carry the sled down the stairs and Priscilla is the door opened and carrier of suction.  I'm the carrier of the cough assist and rest of the equipment.  It's quite a production but we can do it fairly quickly and if we had to, I'd just grab Colin and put the vent on my back and carry him out.

After that, we still had time to catch a good chunk of drama class.  Colin got to see two groups perform.  He commented three times using his DynaVox!  Very proud of him.  Mel prompted him to pick his pronoun, verb, etc., and he said, "I liked the fighting."  "It was good."  and "It was funny."  He clicked the speak button right on cue.  Proud of him.

Many of his 'regulars' chatted with him and were glad to see him.  It still stinks when people who don't know him stop in their tracks and stare at him.  We try to take the opportunity to introduce him to new people but circumstances don't always let us.  But all in all it was a good day.

Got Colin inside and in his school spot.  Priscilla took a quick break and then they finished off the afternoon of school via VGo.  I was so pooped out that Gene watched Colin while I took a quick nap.  Nugget and I snuggled and had a power nap together.

Casey had an okay day after a meltdown in the morning.  Long story but they're trying to find a different spot for him for first block.  He had been going to the cafeteria but we were trying to find a spot where he could have some privacy to take off his coat, use the cough assist, etc., and he's balking.  He REALLY, really wants to be in the cafeteria with the big study hall.  Not sure how it will end up but for now he'll be using a class room where there's a small group going on so he won't be totally away from his peers.  This whole year is a work in progress, for sure.

So now Colin is watching a DVRd Celebrity Ghost Story, Casey is Google Mapping with his DynaVox while watching football on his ipad.  I have to go start the boys' five o'clock feedings and feed the dogs and cats---Feeding time at the Zoo!!