Finally, I got it done! Here it is. Have you noticed that I am totally in love with paper ruffles lately? I used one page from the Flirt Blackboard album for the heart and filled it in with pics from my childhood. I choose the picture of myself holding Abby because I am also pregnant with Jack in this photo. Eric took the picture and it's always been one of my favorites.
OK, so by now you all know that I am a truly insane person! But, you also have to know not to take me too seriously! Right?!?!
Anyway, I am the middle child of 5. I am the comic relief. It is a rare occasion that I would post anything that I didn't think was funny. So, I hope you have found the humor in these stories about my inner psyche. Here's another one! But I will only tell you if you promise to laugh!!
I learned to be a liar from my mother! She was a liar too. Only to protect her children of course, but my mom did some crazy stuff.
Five days after I had my baby, Kate, I got Bell's Palsy. If you don't know what this is, you can do a google image search. But, let me tell you that I went to bed looking normal and woke up looking like I had had a very severe stroke. The entire left side of my face was paralyzed. My left eye could not close at all..... not even to blink. I had to put gel in it to keep it moist and tape it closed at night so that it wouldn't dry out. I have sensitive skin and the tape would leave this red rash square all around my eye just to draw your attention there in case it wasn't noticeable enough.
My mouth was normal on one side, but the other side, turned downward into a frown. If I smiled (something I do a lot) it would pull my entire face over to the other side! I couldn't even say Bell's Palsy because my lips didn't work right and I couldn't say B's or P's. So, if you haven't gotten the picture yet, let me tell you, it was dramatic!
After being diagnosed, I went over to my mom's where she was watching my two babies. My mom looked at me and completely straight-faced said that it was hardly noticeable. She continued saying that people who didn't know me previously would never know that anything was wrong at all. She maintained her story the whole three months I had the illness. We laugh about this all the time now......... in fact, if you spill grape juice down your shirt at a family get together, you are likely to be told that it's hardly noticeable..... just ask mom.
Just a reminder...... this is a funny story! I laughed the entire time I went through this ordeal...... well, after the first day. We made lots of jokes about my "half-hearted" smile and the fact that no matter how tired I was I could always keep one eye open! The way I see it, you can laugh or you can cry, but life goes on either way and laughing is more enjoyable!
And now for a very long and serious PS:
I never stopped to consider how my story yesterday might appear to many of you who don't have all the details and background, until I received this comment from Kat:
I don't know what to say about this story. I cringed when I read it, I really did. How could you do that to your child? How can you BRAG about your lies? My daughter had problems too, but I didn't lie or cover them up. As soon as I realized there was a problem, I tried to find out how to help. My child is my child, I wouldn't dream of comparing her to others, what do they matter? I'm just glad that things were found out and your little boy got the help he needed, goodness know what would have happened if he hadn't.
For those of you that felt the same, or those that are just curious, here is more information than I initially planned to share..... and probably way more than you ever wanted.
I come from a very long line of undiagnosed dyslexics. They include my father, brother and sister and all had delayed speech. So, when Ethan didn't start speaking on time, I was told by family members not to worry.... that it was perfectly normal in our family. However, I was worried enough to come clean at the 18 month doctor appointment and you know what I was told? Not to worry. That boys often develop speech later than girls.
Fast forward to Kindergarten. Despite countless hours spent by myself and the preschool teacher, Ethan did not know any letters....... not even E for Ethan. I was again worried! I had grown up watching my brother be teased by his peers, including myself, being called stupid and worse. I scheduled a private meeting with his soon-to-be teacher. She told me not to worry, that she would give him any extra attention he needed.
Fast forward to the first SEP (parent/teacher conference). I was told that "my bright child was beginning to fall behind." I was told that with a little support from home, we could catch him up in no time. The recommendation? Flashcards.
We did flashcards until the next SEP. They hadn't helped at all. This time I was told that I was failing my child. That he was really struggling. I told the teacher we had been working so hard at home, but it just wasn't helping. She replied that she had taught for many years and that she knew when kids weren't supported at home. That she was amazed I wanted her to believe we had worked so hard when my son couldn't even read his own name. That she had to find his homework folder, scissors, glue bottle for him everyday. I left quietly and broke into tears the minute the door closed behind me. That is when I began lying/cheating with the school.
Now, all this is behind me. I don't want sympathy. I just wanted to give a little more explanation into my behavior. I hope you'll understand.
Maybe someday I'll write a book about all my experiences with my son and his struggles...... until then, any of you that have children in similar situations, please check out, Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz and your local branch of the International Dyslexia Association for help.
