Comments on Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: Season of Gratitude

What a great post! I'm so happy for you and yo...

2011-11-22T17:04:36.041-06:00

What a great post! I'm so happy for you and your daughter. My daughter has cerebral palsy and is also non-verbal, and many of the details here remind me of her school situation. One of the reasons we wanted her included in school as much as possible was the benefit if gives to her peers--kids like ours teach them acceptance and communication skills, and in a middle school environment that's a huge achievement!

This is just a YAY post!

2011-11-22T13:08:12.095-06:00

This is just a YAY post!

This. It's awesome!

2011-11-21T17:41:59.619-06:00

This. It's awesome!

So happy for you and Schuyler but even more so I&#...

2011-11-13T08:54:03.646-06:00

So happy for you and Schuyler but even more so I'm happy for the teachers and students at her new school who serm to recognize what a great opportunity they have to get to know such an awesome young lady

This is so heartening, as an educator who has been...

2011-11-12T15:20:44.071-06:00

This is so heartening, as an educator who has been following along for a while... personally neurotypical, but physically impaired... the acceptance and the pragmatism displayed is really beautiful (however fleeting it may be) - and the marimba joy? even reading about it felt priceless :)

I'm glad that things are going well so far! Lo...

2011-11-12T15:10:15.602-06:00

I'm glad that things are going well so far! Long may this continue!

How big is the current school in terms of pupils and teachers, compared to the old one? (I know almost nothing about the US school system). Does Schuyler stay with the same class for all her lessons, or do they have academic ability sets?

I'm curious about what's different about the situation that makes her apparently better able to fit in - despite it being a really difficult age!

What an inspiring post, and full of hope. Go Schuy...

2011-11-10T22:56:42.281-06:00

What an inspiring post, and full of hope. Go Schuyler! I'm incredibly happy for you! As a parent of a special needs child, I can so relate to: "But sometimes, our vigilance can stand in the way of seeing the things that are in fact going well, going better than expected". It's easy to get caught up in the things you need to work on, to fix, to achieve... and easy sometimes to lose sight of what actually is being accomplished. Live in today in this very moment, that's what I'm trying to do.

This post makes my heart so very happy.

2011-11-10T18:06:16.090-06:00

This post makes my heart so very happy.

HAPPY.

2011-11-10T17:02:51.388-06:00

HAPPY.

This post was such a wonderful one to read! It is ...

2011-11-10T14:37:36.707-06:00

This post was such a wonderful one to read! It is filled with hope for the future, a future filled with possibilities. I am so happy to hear that Schuyler is doing well and that she is being understood. I am so happy for and proud of her - and proud of her teachers for the life-changing work they are doing in her life!

I'm very happy for you and Julie and Schuyler ...

2011-11-10T13:55:34.452-06:00

I'm very happy for you and Julie and Schuyler that there is so much to be grateful for and optimistic about. May the good stuff keep on going.

This is all so fantastic Rob, in so many ways. Mos...

2011-11-10T12:57:13.878-06:00

This is all so fantastic Rob, in so many ways. Mostly for the faith part and the keep believing part. Everyone needs people in their life who keep on believing in them and Schuyler has you, and hopefully, with all these Middle School teachers, she is building a team of believers. It's so joyous to read this about Schuyler.

I totally understand your cautious enthusiasm! In...

2011-11-10T12:49:44.008-06:00

I totally understand your cautious enthusiasm! In order not to get overwhelmed, sometimes it's just good to take it day by day (hour by hour...) and celebrate when your "now" is going so well!

I'm so very happy for you, and especially for ...

2011-11-10T12:41:10.315-06:00

I'm so very happy for you, and especially for Schuyler! It's wonderful to know that the hard work really does pay off, and I'm inspired by Schuyler's positivity.

Allelulia and fantastic. Thank you for sharing thi...

2011-11-10T12:26:37.361-06:00

Allelulia and fantastic. Thank you for sharing this with us -- inspirational, to say the least.

This, "People are understanding Schuyler'...

2011-11-10T12:15:18.380-06:00

This, "People are understanding Schuyler's communication." made me cry in the best most, "Whooo, Punkass Brewster!!!!!" kind of way.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!! I'm so happy for Schu...

2011-11-10T11:27:00.940-06:00

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!! I'm so happy for Schuyler, and so hopeful for Megan that maybe she will have success in middle school when she gets there.

It made me so happy to read this. As the song says...

2011-11-10T09:53:32.438-06:00

It made me so happy to read this. As the song says, "Thank goodness for the good souls who make life better." I know - not in the same way that you do - the fear of hope. Hope can be toxic, because it leaves you hanging on for a moment in the future. But when what's happening right this second is good - wow. It's huge. So happy for you, Schuyler, and the teachers and students who get to have your daughter in their lives.

I love this. Love. And want to say, as the daught...

2011-11-10T09:50:30.077-06:00

I love this. Love. And want to say, as the daughter of a high school band teacher - a man who has spent 40 years at the same school, building a program where ALL kids can succeed, please, do not minimize the impact her band teacher is having. Music is one of VERY few dual brained activities, and you'll find no greater acceptance for Schuyler than you will in band. I promise you that.

What a beautiful wonderful post. I feel like ther...

2011-11-10T09:22:17.534-06:00

What a beautiful wonderful post. I feel like there is so much to say and discuss, but I agree with Julia Roberts. This one is just to be savored and appreciated.

SO gratifying to read after her experience in elem...

2011-11-10T07:56:45.618-06:00

SO gratifying to read after her experience in elementary school. I hope it continues.

I'm all verklempt! I think when neuro typical ...

2011-11-10T07:42:57.024-06:00

I'm all verklempt! I think when neuro typical kids are raised along side of kids with special needs, the differences melt away. If a child has known Schuyler for a year or two, they know she's awesome and fun and that's really all that matters. The more inclusion they have at schools, the less ignorance we will find in the future. Keep up the good work Schuyler!

This is great to read :) I'm really happy for...

2011-11-10T07:37:12.291-06:00

This is great to read :) I'm really happy for you guys, and especially for Schuyler. Reading about Schuyler's triumphs validates the (sometimes lofty) hopefulness that I have when I think about Maya's future in school.

I'm SO glad to hear that things are going well...

2011-11-10T06:36:21.944-06:00

I'm SO glad to hear that things are going well for Schuyler in middle school! I agree, it can be so hard to get past the worry to look at the good things that are happening today.

I am beyond thrilled to read then and in many ways...

2011-11-10T05:46:56.826-06:00

I am beyond thrilled to read then and in many ways can relate, but I fell that to tell you now in some way dismisses what a beautiful thing it is to just read this about her and her educators. Who knows what will happen in middle school, but I can tell you, this is a damn good start.