tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223193381579381075.post4808035444133534682..comments2023-10-17T09:13:41.400-07:00Comments on Understanding Lu: Teaching LuAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09668216042641622048noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223193381579381075.post-29809113600625338542012-06-01T20:43:11.537-07:002012-06-01T20:43:11.537-07:00Oh Julie! How I wish you could have met my Aunt, A...Oh Julie! How I wish you could have met my Aunt, Anna Mae Goodman, from Morrisdale! She would have understood your post completely and would tell you, were she able to do that, to go with your gut instinct and fight, fight, fight!<br /><br />My aunt's only child was born in February of 1957 and early on, it was obviously she had severe problems. The main one though -developmental disabilities caused mainly by the Rh factor. At the time my cousin was born, there was no treatment for mothers with RH factor and they know now that after any delivery or miscarriage, the mother should be given a shot of Rhogam -a substance not yet discovered I believe, back in 1957 and my aunt had had a miscarriage about a year or 2 before her daughter was born. <br /><br />People told her to put Jane Ann in an institution, not to worry or work to try to get therapy for her because she would never walk, talk and certainly never be able to do anything. That was what my aunt heard. What she did is exactly what you are proposing for Lu.<br /><br />No, my cousin never achieved any degree of normalcy in terms of walking, talking, communication and the like. When she was about 15 years old, the state passed the law that a free education must be available for every child and so, from age 15 to 21, Jane Ann went to school up at the CIU Unit and in defense of public school/special ed schooling, Jane loved every bit of time she spent there. She especially loved being around other people -her peers -and, at age 21 when the law deemed she had had enough education because that's all they would cover for, she was back home and my aunt worked with her at home, trying to help her learn little things, yes, in the "normal" scheme of things but these accomplishments for Jane were major deals, for sure!<br /><br />Call me sometime, if you'd like to learn more about what my aunt did for her daughter. Very similar uphill battle she had, just as you feel you are facing down the road too with Lu.<br /><br />My number is 814-345-6530.<br /><br />Peace,<br />Jeni Hill ErtmerJenihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425701332785470116noreply@blogger.com