Back with a success story - my dd is in college!

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Dear, Dear Fellow Schwabbies,

Some of you will remember me from the years of desperate, angry, sad, hopeful, exhausted posts. My daughter did not get her out of district placement until her Jr. Year in HS! Well, those two years transformed her and she is now at MCLA (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts) for a terrific summer orientation prior to heading there in the fall.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of persistence, and the degree of trauma we all experience fighting for our children. I'm only starting to recover - so I guess my message is to honor that and - it's a cliche - but care for yourself. Pace yourself. Delegate.

We survived years of "the fight" particularly w/ my dd's middle school in CT. Once we moved to MA and my dd begain HS, she was so shaken by her previous schooling that her anxiety, ADD, and working memory deficits created the perfect storm. We did get a placement but at great personal, financial, emotional cost.

My daughter attended New England Academy in Beverly - I believe the was the first student to be interviewed for the charter class of 2008 back in Spring 06, when the school was only beams and cement flooring.

Over the past two years, my daughter was taught by some of the best in the field and a real plus for her was retaining her connection to our public high school where she had a v. solid and lovely group of friends, played sports, and hosted a radio show. This meant that she was part of Jr/Sr proms at her public school, dances, field trips, etc. She attended her public school graduation as well as NEA's very first graduation.

She continued to go to a rigorous art program in the summerand is now at college in her "summer home," where the MA Berkshires/VTGreen Mountains/upstate NY meet.

Who would have thought that my daughter who was withering away in school would have been offered over 10,000 dollars in scholarship monies (art and public service), receive acceptances from 5 of the 7 colleges she applied to and be soaring as she completes a compressed semester this summer at MCLA so that she can enter in the fall with 3 credits under her belt.

My husband I and COULD NOT HAVE DONE this w/out schwablearning.org - this group more than anything else helped, supported, empathized and got angry with me. I love you all.

All love and respect,

Babette

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Parent Replies to "Back with a success story - my dd is in college!"

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Babette: Congratulations!

Because I was a college Learning Specialist for 13 years and parented an LD son who made it successfully through college, I am passionate about success for LD students.

Many, however, unwittingly fall into traps that cause their downfall. I recently wrote "25 Rules of College Success for Students with Disabilities", based on the missteps I see most often. If you would like a free copy of these rules, please e-mail me privately.

Best of luck to your daughter - I LOVE to hear success stories. I share them with my students because it gives them hope!

Babette
Thanks for your post. My son is a senior in high school and we are looking at colleges now. I just looked at MCLA and it looks like a school he may be interested in. I just don't know how he will do with college courses and living away. We have been looking at the community colleges for the first 2 years then do a transfer into a state school. I will be interested to hear how your daughter does her first year

Hi Marge! How well I remember you!

I'll join nethaven tomorrow to be sure.

Thanks ever so much for all that made this possible.

B.

Doing the happy dance for babette and her daughters.

Come and celebrate at Net Haven! I'll pour the libation of your choice.

peace,
marge
www.net-haven.net

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