Daycare

I remember thinking to myself that I was going to be spending the rest of my life watching and taking care of Kale. I NEVER thought he could go to school, which is obvious if you think about it, but I didn't, I was so consumed by my grief and loss of the baby I could have had and all the things that baby could do. I assumed Kale couldn't do any of it. Then Kale was about 6 months old corrected 9 months real age and it just hit me, Kale is going to go to school one day, he will just have a care aide, and go to special classes. I was thrilled at this thought, that Kale could be like and be with all the other kids! I still assumed since Kale did not have head, neck, trunk, or any control for that matter and was still on the bottle no Daycare would take him. Most day cares are licensed to have 1 child under 18months, and have up to 8 children per 1 adult. Most children that go to daycare under 18months can at least sit or start sitting, and can hold there bottle a little and maybe a cracker. Those kids can occupy themselves a little so they are pretty low maintenance. Kale's was and still is like a newborn.

One bright sunny day I drove past a sign that said they had openings in there daycare so I thought, why not? lets call. I made a meeting with Jenn and bam! Just like that they were willing to take Kale for the next month until I could get approved for a care aide no problem. Not only was this daycare 1 adult to 4 children, they were willing to bring in an extra person for him!! This daycare also had a couple autistic children, children with FASD, a blind child and a child with a chromosome deficiency! What are the odds I found this one? I then called my local Child Development Center and talked to my Physio Lynn , she got me on the list for a care aide. Luckily 1 month later I have a care aide for Kale Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9am to 2pm!!

My care aide took pictures of Kale doing his physio and made a binder for Kale on the how to's for Kale during daycare. Rene my care aide is a experienced wonderful woman and I trust her completely. I am very lucky.

In the end I conclude when you are ready to accept you CANNOT have that "normal" life and enjoy in the fact that life will be just a little different and in fact some might argue more fulfilling. Kale can do what everyone else can just in a different way with some hoops to jump through with paperwork, but the same result in the end. ASK!ASK!ASK! If you don't get the answer from one person ask another. Keep asking until you know you have tried every avenue of possibilities for your child. Talk to your Social Worker, Physio Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Infant Development Worker, Neurologist, Pediatrician, or Family Doctor.

By the way did I mention Kale loves his daycare!?

Kale's First Drawing he did at daycare!!He was 13 months corrected 16 months real age!