So Parker has been back to deaf school nearly 2 weeks now, and it just seems a little anti-climactic since the hearing school doesn't want to take him until some other things are in order. His "convocation"paper had him listed as starting today, but his teacher, whom wants him to call her "maitresse" wants him to wait until next Thursday to start--with some very important accompaniments---a special chair and a special assistant.
The documents for Parker to get his special state-appointed-and-funded-assistant were submitted by hand on June 10th. We should have heard something by now but have not. This means there is no news yet, on whether he will have an "AVS"which stands for "Auxilaire Vie Scolaire"or---School Life Helper (give or take). And the deaf school recommended Parker have this AVS because of his equilibrium problem. The teacher (remember, maitresse?) was worried about looking after him all of the time, and potentially neglecting the other 14 (non-handicapped) 3 yr old students in her class. And that walking to the park for recess may be too long and tiring for him, and that he may need more help getting set up to do his work, etc, at the table when the official (3 yr old) work begins. Also, the deaf school recommends very strongly that he has an adorable little chair with arm rests on it, making it easier for him to get up & down, as he needs a bit more stability while moving (since his world is theoretically spinning every time he moves).
So rather than wait for the handicap department to tell us whether or not they would provide the chair for us, John and I have decided to buy the chair ourselves, and hand-walk it over to the classroom.
But we still have no news on the AVS, and I must admit I am hesitant to suggest that 'La Maitresse" will allow this wonder boy to start classes as planned on Thursday without his chair (what if it doesn't arrive in time?), or his Aide Vie Scolaire....what if he is not granted one? Will he still be permitted to attend???
So I'm crossing my fingers, and not holding my breath.
And sooo proud of him these past 2 weeks for putting on his huge backpack and marching out to his taxi with all smiles and his Toy Story Woody doll to accompany him. You can see a spring in his step, and his head is held just a little bit higher, and his shoulders a little bit broader, when he walks back through the door each day.
And I just have to laugh when I imagine what they might be teaching him in a US cochlear implanted preschool with sounds & gestures. Parker has 5 that I know he is working on recognizing a picture, and being expected to make the sound and sign/mime while making the association:
1---"No! No! No!"which we can all agree is a good one to learn, and sooo very french, with an extended index finger waving back and forth in front of his face.
2---"Mmmmmm", said while rubbing his hand in circles on his tummy or chest (so as to say, "this is a yummy mousse au chocolate!"etc.)
3---"Shhhh" while said with the index finger in front of the mouth. (Incidentally, he does not get his one, but he tries!)
4---"Court!" which means "Run!"and he is supposed to jog in place
5---And the newest one: "Oh-la-la!"while raising both hands, bent at the elbows along the sides of his head. This could be translated as, "I can't believe this!" Or "Are you kidding me?" or "You are in big trouble!"depending on who is your translator, or what the context is.
Isn't that hilarious?
You should hear him say it! Its more like "Ohh-yah-yah!"
Yes, I know I come across as being too rushed, and bossy in this video. But as soon as I turn on the camera, he is obsessed with watching it himself. And sorry, Penelope, I did not credit you in the video for saying, "No! No! No!". You are amazing, sweet girl. I love you, too. Truly.
