JMCC Preschool Program Lives

We are very proud to say that the JMCC preschool program will continue to be a service and facility open to families in our community. The program has been revamped and restructured to make it a more financially viable program that will live on to see many future years.

The program focus has shifted slightly (and I mean sightly) to the addition of more typically developing children. What a wonderful plan, a fully integrated program where children of all abilities can learn and grow together. 

We were part of the program launch last week. I felt really proud to have seen the program through to this point and even more proud to have my 2 girls enrolled together. The program is a family plan for us and for that we couldn't be more thankful.

Here are the links to the media coverage of the event:

The Windsor Star - http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/mcgivney-centre-launches-revamped-child-care-program

CTV News - http://windsor.ctvnews.ca/mobile/children-to-benefit-from-redesigned-program-at-john-mcgivney-centre-1.2525731

Am800 - http://www.am800cklw.com/News/Headlines/John-McGivney-Children-ts-Centre-launches-redesign

I was asked to speak about why the centre was a good fit for our family. I will attach the speech for those who would like to have a read.

We have two daughters Hazel who is 3 1/2 and has down syndrome and Nola who will be two in November. Hazel has been attending for about six months.

In the beginning Hazel had a lot of anxiety about being anywhere that was unfamiliar to her. When we started her here the staff had the ability to help her through that anxiety, and make her feel safe and comforted. The staff is still able to maintain a constant level of safety and comfort and ensure that Hazel is happy even while they undergo some program changes.

One of the main reasons this facility makes sense for Hazel is the on-site therapy. Her speech therapist, occupational therapist, and physiotherapist, are never very far away and able to come visit on a regular basis to check on Hazel's progress and consult with the staff at the preschool about current and future goals.
Not to mention that there is a resource consultant in the classroom who provides extra support on a daily basis for the staff and the students.

This facility is not only capable of meeting hazels needs but it is easy, affordable and provides an opportunity to be ONE place that supports our entire family's needs.

Being able to send Nola will be such a blessing for us in many ways.
1. Our girls will be together helping with comfort and familiarity

2. Having one consistent place to drop both our kids off will make the day to day craziness that much more manageable.

3. It provides opportunity for an integrated program. For Hazel to reach her full potential she needs to be around typically developing peers so that she has a model for behavior and language. It is important to us the new preschool model took that into account. But just as equally important for us is that Nola will be able to grow with children of all abilities. Not only does the program offer inclusion for our kids with special needs, it also offers inclusion to typically developing children, creating an environment of learning, caring and growing together starting from a very young age, helping prepare them for the inclusionary environment of the school system.

We believe in order for both of our children to reach their full potential an integrated model is the best. Children working together of all abilities creates awareness, knowledge and compassion. I want that for my kids. I want that for Hazel, who has special needs. And I want that for Nola who has TYPICAL needs.

We feel that the new program design has a real focus and commitment to helping all children grow to the best of their ability regardless of what that might mean for each child. Not only do they have the commitment to do this they have a plan, a program model and support that will help them to actually succeed.

We live in a world that focusses on the things children with special needs CAN'T DO but at the JMCC they focus on the things they CAN. And as a parent you're always worried that your other children suffer or don't get everything they need because you are consumed by caring for your other child. Here at the JMCC they work with us to make sure both our children get the best possible care and attention they need to grow. We are super excited to have this program available to us as a viable plan for our entire family.

I have so enjoyed being a part of this process - even when it was an emotional one. We feel good about our choice to send both our girls to the same place. We also feel equally confident that each child will get the attention they need to grow to reach their full potential.

Hop over to the John McGivney Facebook page for more info and to keep updated on the coming events. 

A HUGE THANK YOU!!!!!

To all our our supporters here at Chasing Hazel. Whenever we ask you to stand up and help us you JUMP. So many of you have shared our story via Facebook and I can't tell you what that means to us. Thanks for all your support and your continued concern for the future of the children at the JMCC preschool. 

Tragedy in Oklahoma

The devastating tragedy that is going on right now in Oklahoma really is unacceptable. There is too much loss, too much destruction, too much sadness. These candles were lit in Tibidabo Church in Barcelona when we were there. There is something about candles being lit on Holy ground that makes us feel hope, light and faith. I share this picture with you in hopes that together we can take a minute to reflect, pray and empathize with those that have faced such a terrible reality. We can hope for them to rebuild, to find peace and to overcome such horrible loss.

I am one of those people, I really don't like to look. So I change the channel, or skip past the photos of destruction and loss.

But that's not really fair is it? Why shouldn't I look?

It's the least that I can do, really. I don't have to live it. We are fortunate enough that it is not a reality for us. We did not face this travesty. We did not lose anything. I am going to look at the very sad images and take a minute to empathize, to feel pain, sadness, and loss for the victims in Oklahoma.

I hope you will join me...

 

Together we can pray and send positive energy to those who need it. I am going to spend the next little while appreciating what we have, knowing that we are blessed to have been spared.

Gratitude & Empathy

A badge of honour indeed...

This letter was written by John Franklin Stephens as a response to Ann Coulter's use of the R-word in one of her tweets during the presidential debate. Her comment has generated quite a bit of attention, although fortunately it has not been for her. John Franklin is getting it all. Nothing could make me more proud than seeing the evolution of one ignorant comment. People are listening to John, respecting him, and are impressed with his ability to articulate his feelings so maturely into words. My response would not have been so kind. He is such a grown up.

"The R-word"

I bring this article to your attention for many reasons. Some of which are to highlight the abilities of individuals with DS. Their capacity to have their feelings tarnished, but also to respond with grace and maturity to a hurtful stereotype. How John demonstrated he could rise above the limitations that some may perceive to be placed on him by participating in the Special Olympics, also, his very well written letter to Coulter. And, finally, to raise awareness on how individuals with DS feel about the R-word.

I am not going to preach here about how you are a terrible person if you say it or have said it. I'm not going to judge you or think you are ignorant if you say it or have said it.

I have said it. I will stop saying it!!!  Simple.

One problem is that it is so commonly accepted in society to say it, we don't even notice we have said it. The second problem is that it is hurtful. It is hurtful to those who may be categorized as being, according to John Franklin, "dumb and shallow." It is hurtful to those who love someone who might be considered "dumb and shallow."

My request here is simple...keep this is mind. That's it...don't be ashamed or get defensive that you have said it. Simply, keep it in mind.

This letter makes me proud...

An Open Letter to Ann Coulter

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Tim Shriver

John Franklin Stephens

The following is a guest post in the form of an open letter from Special Olympics athlete and global messenger John Franklin Stephens to Ann Coulter after this tweet during last night’s Presidential debate.

Dear Ann Coulter,

Come on Ms. Coulter, you aren’t dumb and you aren’t shallow.  So why are you continually using a word like the R-word as an insult?

I’m a 30 year old man with Down syndrome who has struggled with the public’s perception that an intellectual disability means that I am dumb and shallow.  I am not either of those things, but I do process information more slowly than the rest of you.  In fact it has taken me all day to figure out how to respond to your use of the R-word last night.

I thought first of asking whether you meant to describe the President as someone who was bullied as a child by people like you, but rose above it to find a way to succeed in life as many of my fellow Special Olympians have.

Then I wondered if you meant to describe him as someone who has to struggle to be thoughtful about everything he says, as everyone else races from one snarkey sound bite to the next.

Finally, I wondered if you meant to degrade him as someone who is likely to receive bad health care, live in low grade housing with very little income and still manages to see life as a wonderful gift.

Because, Ms. Coulter, that is who we are – and much, much more.

After I saw your tweet, I realized you just wanted to belittle the President by linking him to people like me.  You assumed that people would understand and accept that being linked to someone like me is an insult and you assumed you could get away with it and still appear on TV.

I have to wonder if you considered other hateful words but recoiled from the backlash.

Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor.

No one overcomes more than we do and still loves life so much.

Come join us someday at Special Olympics.  See if you can walk away with your heart unchanged.

A friend you haven’t made yet,   John Franklin Stephens Global Messenger Special Olympics Virginia

EDITOR’S NOTE: John has previously written powerful opinion pieces on the R-word. Read one here.