March 3, 2011

COLLEGE!!!?

Phone - Ring, ring, ring

John – Hello

Phone – Hello is Alex home?

John – No, can I take a message?

Phone – Yes, this is K. at Colorado Mountain College, he inquired last night about classes at CMC.

John – Alex is my daughter and she is at school, can I help you?

Phone – Sorry, can you let Alex know I called about her inquiry and here is my number?

John – thanks so much, bye.

Gary and John – Oh my GOD. Is she resourceful or what?

Yes, Alex is very resourceful, she is also responsible and follow-ups on tasks better than her siblings. This particular follow-up came from a meeting Alex and I attended about college opportunities for students with IEPs. This presentation was put on by the Disability Services Coordinator from Colorado Community College, our local community college. Alex and I attended, as well as her case manager, to learn more about how Alex could attend college.

Just like Courtney, Alex wants to go to college. Just like Courtney, Alex and her teacher have been looking on-line for programs that would be right for her. However unlike Courtney, Alex had been unsure of her future for a long time. Courtney decided at a young age where she wanted to go to college. I attribute this to brainwashing on my father’s part and had no concerns about his not so subtle approach for his granddaughter to attend his Alma mater.

This single mindedness of purpose drove Courtney through her middle and high school years and she is now attending this college. Not until recently has Alex been sure about her college choice, but with the support of her very opened minded case manager she had narrowed it down to three schools. Two of these are out of town, and although I know Alex will do well with the right support, I would be more comfortable if she were a day student at a local college for two years and then move on to a more residential setting. Yes, as most of us are reluctant to do, I need to cede power to my extraordinary daughter. After all she will be 18 in June, and an adult by law.

The Disability Services Coordinator at CMC just happens to be our friend. Anne went through the support programs at CMC, the testing Alex will need to take credit courses, and the three levels of skill building classes that are offered to help students who do not place immediately in the “regular” credit courses. She explained credit courses versus certificate courses, as well as clubs and groups that exist on the campus.

CMC, just like most community colleges have open enrollment, so all students are accepted. The catch of course is getting into the right classes as Alex’s aptitude will be taken from the accuplacer tests, which are administered by CMC. Alex’s skills cannot be measured by the SAT or ACT test. We will write learning how to take accuplacer tests into her IEP goals.

I asked about other students with disabilities (10%), students with intellectual disabilities (1%), and students with down syndrome (three in the other CMC areas). I asked if Alex would be fully included and attend classes with her peers (yes). I asked if Alex would receive tutoring to help her in her classes (yes). I asked is Alex could get specialized services to help her relate to her peers (yes, although Anne knows Alex has no problem talking to her peers, it is peers talking back where the problem lies). I asked a few more questions and was pleasantly surprised at the responses.

Alex was focused and attentive for the 90 minute meeting. Part of that was Anne, she knows Alex well, knows how to speak with her and knows how to keep her engaged. Anne suggested when we go home that Alex look through the on-line course catalog as well as the registration forms. Anne also mentioned to Alex that she could fill out an inquiry form and someone would call her. Not surprisingly, Alex followed up, showed us some courses she wanted to take (baking was one) and obviously filled out the inquiry form.

I do not think I have exhaled since this meeting (well that is not true, I had to). This almost seems too good to be true. Since we moved here when Alex was going into 7th grade I have been very involved in her education. I have modified, corrected and refuted IEP goals. I have met with teachers, principals, speech therapists and assorted special educators. I have communicated and over communicated. I have praised and complained. I have done all this without hesitation or protest; it has been my honor to advocate for Alex. But the idea that Alex could take this over, with the help of Anne, has floored me.

However, I am ready to hand over (okay - partially) the rights to Alex. We are in the midst of a five day self-advocacy course called “Taking Charge”; and I will share more after graduation. We are working hard to help Alex find her wings. Her hope and dreams are just like her siblings and every teenager I know - freedom from Mom and Dad. We will honor that dream and support her as much as we can. It is our job as the parents of this magical person.

But yes, I am skeptical. I know people have wonderful intentions, but these intentions often get short circuited by outside factors; peer pressure, social norms, expectations and that B word I hate so much – budget. I have been promised too much and been disappointed too often in the last few years. We have had huge successes but also challenges. I will continue to believe though, disbelief is a barrier I will not create for my daughter.

Alex wants to go to college, and as of now she wants to go to CMC. I want what Alex wants, so despite my skepticism we will move forward, we will look into Alex applying to CMC, graduating from her high school with an academic diploma (which prohibits her from participating in the transition program) and going to college, just like her peers. Alex is a member of the Class of 2012 and because of her IEP she will meet her graduation requirements and walk as proudly across the stage as all her classmates. She is not the only one who will be proud; I can already feel the tears on my cheeks.

9 comments:

  1. I want to get rich and then come and live in the U.S. !!!! College options, Jessie's DREAM!!!

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  2. So so excellent!

    Colorado Mountain College sounds like a great place to spend another few years.

    (And browbeating a daughter to go to an alma mater. Now that is not right! One big thing about disability is that you TREAD YOUR OWN PATH).

    Yes, disbelief is a big barrier. Budget, too.

    "I asked about other students with disabilities (10%), students with intellectual disabilities (1%), and students with down syndrome (three in the other CMC areas). I asked if Alex would be fully included and attend classes with her peers (yes). I asked if Alex would receive tutoring to help her in her classes (yes). I asked is Alex could get specialized services to help her relate to her peers (yes, although Anne knows Alex has no problem talking to her peers, it is peers talking back where the problem lies). I asked a few more questions and was pleasantly surprised at the responses."

    Oh, Alex. I do hope you get your freedom. You are earning it.

    And it's good to have your birthday at the end of the academic year.

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  3. And then I remembered where I had heard of Colorado Mountain College before.

    The Tourism and Hospitality section of that college had connections with the Global Education Network, which include SAIT in Alberta and the Box Hill Institute of TAFE [technical and further education, the Australian equivalent of a community college].

    The Global Education Network connection has been going on for some 10 years now as of 2010-11.

    Here is some more information about the Global Education Network:

    Global Education Network

    (However there were changes in the leadership team, of which I was not aware).

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  4. thank you so much for the information!

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  5. SO exciting! Alex is reaching for her goals and she will achieve them! (Be prepared for graduation. Bring your camera and LOTS of kleenex!!)

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  6. I was first attracted to Life in Ski Town USA, a site by a second-year student and residence advisor, because of the school newspaper [the first one in 30 years - hooray!].

    Thought you and Alex and whoever's on the team might like to check out some of the videos.

    Here are some of Ben's videos. He is a second-year [as of 2011] business student

    Looked at some other blogs from students:

    See what I see

    In and Around the Valley by Dan Hall

    Bookcliff Diary tells us a lot about student life at CMC

    Life at 10,200

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  7. wow - thanks again for all the info!

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  8. I just found your blog and I love it! Alek sounds like a very bright and clever young lady and you are a parent after my own heart - Alex's number one advocate! My older sister has Down Syndrome and she inspired us to adopt a baby with Down Syndrome. I hope that my experiences growing up with Leanne will help me become the best possible mother for Josie. Many of your Alex stories remind me so much of Leanne - she is clever, strong-willed, and at times, quite manipulative and we love her for it!

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  9. thanks - I am so glad...and congrats. follow us on FB! What is Leanne doing now?

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