Re: School Letter / Handout

[Guest guest]

Hi Leah-

My gut tells me to write and send the letter. If it was " just " RSS

and the need for snacks, special accomodations, etc., I'd say to not

necessarily bother. But when you take the OI into play...well, as

the kid in nursery school and kindergarten who WAS bumped, wrestled,

given Indian burns, picked up, etc., I would say that it sounds like

there's a real potential for Olivia getting hurt unless " rules " are

made and if the parents can help reinforce, why not go for it?

Bottom line is, unfortunately, she's going to be viewed

as " different " at the beginning, whether you go through with the

writeup or not...she's a lot smaller than her peers, she's going to

have snacks and special accomodations, and I'm sure that at least a

portion of her activity in Phys Ed is going to be different from the

rest of her class...and the kids ARE going to notice...so wouldn't

it make sense for the parents and teachers to have a reference of

information when the kids ask them questions? Besides,

being " different " doesn't necessarily mean she won't be accepted by

her peers...it just means that kids will have more curiousities

about her at first...and once that curiousity is satisfied, Olivia

will blend in for who is she is...her personality, not her physical

issues. Her height and fragility will only be a part of who she

is...not define it.

And if the parents " grill " their kids for info about the " toddler "

in their class, well, in the whole scheme of things, what difference

does it make, if they do?

Just my 2 cents.

-Sharon-

Just an RSS kid who grew up

[Guest guest]

Hi Leah-

My gut tells me to write and send the letter. If it was " just " RSS

and the need for snacks, special accomodations, etc., I'd say to not

necessarily bother. But when you take the OI into play...well, as

the kid in nursery school and kindergarten who WAS bumped, wrestled,

given Indian burns, picked up, etc., I would say that it sounds like

there's a real potential for Olivia getting hurt unless " rules " are

made and if the parents can help reinforce, why not go for it?

Bottom line is, unfortunately, she's going to be viewed

as " different " at the beginning, whether you go through with the

writeup or not...she's a lot smaller than her peers, she's going to

have snacks and special accomodations, and I'm sure that at least a

portion of her activity in Phys Ed is going to be different from the

rest of her class...and the kids ARE going to notice...so wouldn't

it make sense for the parents and teachers to have a reference of

information when the kids ask them questions? Besides,

being " different " doesn't necessarily mean she won't be accepted by

her peers...it just means that kids will have more curiousities

about her at first...and once that curiousity is satisfied, Olivia

will blend in for who is she is...her personality, not her physical

issues. Her height and fragility will only be a part of who she

is...not define it.

And if the parents " grill " their kids for info about the " toddler "

in their class, well, in the whole scheme of things, what difference

does it make, if they do?

Just my 2 cents.

-Sharon-

Just an RSS kid who grew up

[Guest guest]

Hi Leah,

I'm really torn about the letter idea. The rational adult in me says that you

should absolutely do it, especially because her safety is concerned.

However, I'm not that far removed from my childhood (I turned 22 a few weeks

ago) and I can remember what it was like to be singled out in school when I

really didn't want to be. I'm pretty sure I would have thrown a fit when I

was 9

if my mother had written a letter about me and distributed it to all of my

classmates and their parents. But again, I also understand the thinking

behind the letter and the necessity of it for Olivia's safety. So, here's my

suggestion - sit down and talk to Ollivia about the letter. See how she feels

about it. If you do decide to write one, involve her in the process and ask her

what she feels like her classmates should know about her OI and RSS. I

wouldn't include anything that she doesn't feel comfortable making public or

talking about when kids ask questions. I think if you don't involve her in the

process, the letter will end up doing what you feared (bringing unnecesary

and unwanted attention to her), but I think that if you do involve her this

could

be a really empowering and positive experience for her. I guess what I'm

trying to say is that I think she should be as involved as possible in the

decision, because she's the one that will have to deal directly with the

consequences (although, I realize that you as a parent will also feel those

consequences acutely). Just my two cents...

~Hillary

22, RSS

[Guest guest]

Leah and Hillary

I agree with Hillary. I can totally appreciate the fact as a parent

you want to protect your daughter, however, you don't want to single

her out. What about talking more about the OI and briefly mention the

RSS. I would think the OI is more important than the RSS because of

her bones being so brittle. How much does Olivia now about these two

things? You don't want Olivia to feel so different from other

children and you don't want the other children to think of her as

" different " and single her out from playing and being apart of the

class. Its a sticky situation. Could you talk with the teacher prior

to writing the letter and get her/his input on any information which

she/he feels should be included? The teacher would have experience

with children of that age and how they react to other children which

may have any types of disability or race or such.

Best of luck. I would worry too about Olivia getting hurt. She's so

precious.

And Hillary - thanks for the advice as someone who has already been

through this as a child.

B

4 1/2 RSS and Kelli 2 NON RSS

> Hi Leah,

> I'm really torn about the letter idea. The rational adult in me

says that you

> should absolutely do it, especially because her safety is concerned.

> However, I'm not that far removed from my childhood (I turned 22 a

few weeks

> ago) and I can remember what it was like to be singled out in school

when I

> really didn't want to be. I'm pretty sure I would have thrown a

fit when I was 9

> if my mother had written a letter about me and distributed it to all

of my

> classmates and their parents. But again, I also understand the

thinking

> behind the letter and the necessity of it for Olivia's safety. So,

here's my

> suggestion - sit down and talk to Ollivia about the letter. See how

she feels

> about it. If you do decide to write one, involve her in the process

and ask her

> what she feels like her classmates should know about her OI and RSS. I

> wouldn't include anything that she doesn't feel comfortable making

public or

> talking about when kids ask questions. I think if you don't involve

her in the

> process, the letter will end up doing what you feared (bringing

unnecesary

> and unwanted attention to her), but I think that if you do involve

her this could

> be a really empowering and positive experience for her. I guess

what I'm

> trying to say is that I think she should be as involved as possible

in the

> decision, because she's the one that will have to deal directly with

the

> consequences (although, I realize that you as a parent will also

feel those

> consequences acutely). Just my two cents...

> ~Hillary

> 22, RSS