It’s Halloween, 2018. You are a freshly turned nine-year old. You are 9 years old. My mind immediately repeats a phrase from my dad, “Mr. Baskall, here’s your little baby girl.” I remember I would roll my eyes and scoff at him. “Ugh dad!” I would lament as he looked at me with eyes brimming with pride. I don’t have any words to describe or memorialize your entrance into this
When I was younger and learned to read, I remember I was taught phonics. I remember the phonics workbooks I had, and would read the rules at the bottom of the page for spelling. It was all very systematic. Little did I know at the time, phonics was just one part of the five components of reading that can contribute to reading disorders. Today, a concept called whole language dominates
This weekend I was the guest speaker at the Nevada Walk for Apraxia and stayed with the walk coordinator Alyssa Hampson and her family. I flew in the day before the walk, and her house looked very typical of any other walk coordinator. It was bursting with items such as goody bags for the kids, prizes for the silent auction, food and beverages for breakfast, signage, T-shirts, and so much
In my opinion, Ashlynn’s birth history was significant. No, she wasn’t born premature. No, there wasn’t a dramatic rush to the ER. However, I was failing to dilate or efface and the labor was taking so long that vaginal fetal electrodes were placed on her head. In addition, every contraction brought concern to the fetal hear monitor. My OB recommended at least three times that I get a C-section; but
Those familiar with my story know that I missed apraxia in Ashlynn because I was convinced she had CP (cerebral palsy). She had a significant birth history and had to be pulled out via C-section and all of her motor milestones were late. Tummy time was a nightmare. I was always so stressed about it because she literally seemed like she was suffocating and couldn’t pull herself up for air.
My dearest Ashlynn, Your courage amazes me daily. It inspires me and pushes me beyond any limit real or imagined. Today was your first day of 3rd grade. You have been waiting for this day since the last day of 2nd grade. Actually, quite possibly since the first day of 2nd grade when you told me,“After 2nd grade you I will be in 3rd grade!” I emphatically responded, “We need