Summer Is Approaching

I am starting to feel nervous about summer already! Maybe it's the Spring air or knowing that we are in the last 9 weeks of school, I don't know but I definitely feel the crunch. My husband and I both work so we pay for the children to go to summer camps either locally or other places. Most of the summer is spent in our local summer camp. Two years ago my husband was laid off right before Rebecca came which was a blessing in disguise because we did not have to pay for summer care and my children had more time to bond with each other and my husband. Last year, we sent them to the after school care summer camp which had a lady there that signed! OH - WHAT A BLESSING! Rebecca enjoyed her time there and it fine. She really missed the children and interaction with others besides her teacher who was also watching 19 other children.

This year, that wonderful lady who signed is going to school to become a teacher and is not sure if she will do the camp again :( We have signed Rebecca up for TSD (Texas School For The Deaf In Austin) camp for 2 weeks hoping that will give her some of that much needed communication with other children and introduce her to the TSD campus. That leaves about 2.5 months left to plan. We are trying to find other day camps that are local and have someone who signs, but it is very frustrating and difficult.

Jasmine has started Karate and is loving it!! We are trying to find another activity for Kimberly, but again it is not an easy task. I would like for her to take art classes, she is very artistic and I think that would be wonderful for her. Pray that we can find a class to fit our schedule and our budget for her.

New Independence

I know it's a little early for independence day, but not in our house. Rebecca got her white cane!! We are also so excited that it hard to explain. Rebecca has so many things that she has had to be dependent on us for. I interpret for her often, we help her follow conversations, we explain things to her and her vision has only been something else that she had to depend on us for. When we went into a room that changed lighting or stepped outside, she grabbed on and depended on us to lead her away from danger. When there was obstacles in the room or speed bumps in the parking lot, she depended on us to make sure she did not trip. NOW - ALL THAT HAS CHANGED WITH ONE LITTLE CANE!!

Rebecca continues to amaze me with the cane and I have to remember that she can do it herself. Tomorrow will be one week since she got to bring the cane home. Since then she has went down stairs by herself, walked across parking lot and over speed bumps, went from light to dark, walked out to the car by herself to get her backpack out of the car at night. She has not grabbed for my arm or ran over anything all week! She even had a sleepover at the Fort Worth Zoo!! Her bruises are healing and for the first time since I have known her she is become bruise free!

Her having her cane has given her an unbelievable independence as well as a new confidence, but it has also given the other members of our family a chance to educate tons of people so far and has taken tons of stress off of us. We are not worried about Rebecca falling or hurting herself. We are not constantly looking for what is ahead of her - she will find it!

We are also following American Idol and Scott McIntyre experience. This has helped Rebecca to see that being blind does not stop you from following your dreams. Big thanks to Scott McIntyre and his bravery for being on that show and a great role model for my child and for so many others.

Tonight we decorated some of her white cane for St. Patrick's Day. It would not be Rebecca's if we didn't girl-ify it a little bit.