Here's to the Start of a 504 Plan

I did it. I requested a 504 plan for HD. He currently has one in place for the upcoming school in regards to his education in the classroom. He'll be enjoying priority seating, (next to the teacher's desk) and things like weighted blankets and short pencils. Several other things, but I can't think of them off the top of my head. They aren't huge, but it needed to happen.

This other 504 plan might need to happen too because diabetes sucks. I've shared about my frustrations with the school in finding him a parent-designated-adult. Everyone keeps suggesting a neighbor or family member that might be able to come to the school if needed. Unfortunately we're one of the unlucky families to not have family near us. As for neighbors...well.... So then it starts - the nurse can help - the doctor should know- the ADA can help - the principal should know - the nurse will know. I felt like a pinball bouncing from one person to the next in search of answers.

I stopped in at the school this morning to see if I could meet the new nurse. Last year's nurse decided to go part-time and is only working in one school now. Because we're starting from scratch again, I want to start the year off right. I expressed my frustrations with not being able to find him a parent-designated-adult. I was told to ask the staff members. (But only after she suggested a family member or neighbor.) They all said no without actually saying no. All were confident they wouldn't be able to administer insulin. I always felt so defeated when leaving the school. I did today too.

I sent off a request to HD's doctor for new orders, signed a couple papers, and went to my VAN and called the ADA. I really didn't want play that card because I wasn't in the right emotional state to call them. I was fighting back tears as I spoke with the nurse. However, the legal advocate I spoke with was super awesome and now I wish I'd have called them sooner. Turns out, nurses CAN administer insulin at school, contrary to what I was told all spring long. And if he needs help administering it, and he does, they are required by law to have people (not just one!) trained at school to do so. It is not up to me to find the people, it's on them. THAT is what I needed to hear.

I know he's almost 10, and should be administering it himself. I also know that he'll have to do it for the rest of his life. He's been labeled as a T1D for four solid months. Not four years. He's still new to this! Just this past summer at camp, he tried to give himself his dose, and just couldn't. I need to know there will be a person available at school to help him do it if he has one of those moments again. I can't always just leave work for an hour. It is one of our goals this school year to get him to be independent when it comes to administering and calculating doses. Counting carbs might be another year behind.

But I did it guys. I put it into words that he's needs a medical 504 plan. I don't want to worry about who is taking care of him when I'm not. I want to know that he is safe and well cared for at school, because at the end of the last school year, I didn't feel good about sending him.

Just a Fun Filled Weekend with my BESTIE!

GAHHH!!!! Guess who drove for forever to come see me?!?! One of my bestest friends in the whole wide world! 

We are able to see each other maybe one a year, and that might be a stretch too. But for her family vacation this past June, (remember when I posted in real time! Hahaha!) she brought her two girls and boyfriend out to see me (and the ocean!) - of course we celebrated with daiquiris!

The whole weekend they were here, I was quite frustrated with Perry's work schedule. Because he was down an important team member, he was having to work a late shift and close the store. Typically he'd get home around midnight? That's actually a guess. I was always in bed way before then. I was annoyed about this schedule of his because he'd miss their first evening at our house, but I grumbled and groaned about it and then let it be. Then my store got involved. My store was hosting a large event, and because my manager wasn't able to attend and run it, Perry volunteer his time so he could have Friday night off. Get this - he traded that night for work (including commute time) from 2pm Saturday to 2pm Sunday with NO SLEEP. Needless to say, he didn't really get the opportunity both Britta and I was hoping for to really get to know them. Oh hum.  

 We did still manage to enjoy our time together Saturday morning though! We took three vehicles up Mount Saint Helens and stopped at the Ape Cave for a morning of hiking.

 Aren't we so cute? While these caves were similar to the Lewis and Clark Cavern in Montana, they were different in that it wasn't a guided tour and it wasn't lit. Wearing headlamps just added to the adventure!

 There is an upper cave that involves a lot of climbing, and a lower cave (which we did) that is mostly just walking, but walking carefully. With Ms. Gail, and Britta's youngest girl being so little, we opted for the easier route.

 I didn't know what to expect when we went down the steps into the great beyond. Honestly, I was a little nervous. (This is fine....this is fine!)

 The kids all seemed to enjoy themselves. The adults were constantly telling them to slow down. And if there was a rock to climb on, they climbed the crud out it.

 At the very end of the tunnel, the ceiling gets super low to where you need to bear crawl to get past one point. I went in as far as I could with a backpack on, and then Jason went the rest of the way to get the kids. (Sorry for the butt shot!) It was a little too small of a space for me.

 They are all just so cute!! I highly recommend this little adventure to everyone! Just know that park (especially with three vehicles) is a bitch.

 #bff

 We timed our hike out of the cave perfectly because when we arrived back to the parking lot, we had the chance to meet Smokey the Bear!! So cool!

Perry headed off to work after the caves but the rest of us took a hike to see a scenic view of Mount St. Helens. I thought the view would be a *little* better than this... 

 This view however, was breath-taking! After waiting around to hear back from Perry as to when he'd be done at the event, we ended up just leaving him behind and headed west for the ocean. We ended up at Fort Stevens State Park. Our family had been there before, but not to this part of the beach. I think there were maybe 10 other people there. It was empty and perfect!

 This was Britta and the girls' first time seeing the Pacific Ocean and I had so much fun photographing them! I literally said, "Put your phone down and go enjoy this!" I hardly have any pictures with my kids, so I try to make it a point to take pictures of other moms with their kiddies.

 I had water to my ankles and I was freezing. I don't know how they were doing this!

 After a family had left, our kids took over this hut and never touched the ocean for the rest of the afternoon. I might have dozed off for a minute trying to stay warm under a towel. I thought I was prepared this time for the breeze, but I wasn't.

Who doesn't love a good smooch on the beach?!

 By the end of the day, this sweet little thing wasn't feeling so hot. She quite the snuggler though!

I'm so so so happy they made the decision to come out to visit me! We had such a fun time together! Did I mention I got her hooked on playing Ticket to Ride? I think we might have played 6 games in one sitting. We put it away at 4am. I might have thrown my cards at Jason once, but I think he deserved it! I can't wait to see them again, and their NEW house!!