Hello everybody! It's been a couple days since my last blog. I've busy with outings and paperwork and stuff like that. I had to write this big letter about my summer with my friend Patti. We had a busy summer, so it was a long letter. It was five pages! I've also been busy with appointments with friends. My grandparents and my uncle and his girlfriend came yesterday to the valley. They are going to stay for a week. My grandparents don't get out as often as they used to, so it's great they hem out this time. Also, I haven't seen my uncle and his girlfriend for a while, so it's nice to see them too. This week will be a week of some nice family time.
My plan is to do a blog today and tomorrow. After that, I probably won't blog as much because school will keep me pretty busy. I'll still blog on the weekends and when exciting stuff happens, but not much other than that. I'm excited to get back to school. I'll be glad to get back into routine. Grade twelve will be an exciting year. I'll be an adult almost. That's scary. Grade 12s get to do lots of cool stuff though, so participating in the event that they do will be fun It will possibly be my last year at school. I might take an extra year and be what's called a Super Grad. I'm looking into doing that just because I might not be ready to leave home by the time I graduate. I can also take some extra courses that I didn't have time to do in my regular school years. It's great that I to leave my options open. The next couple years will be very exciting. I'm anxious to see what new adventures await me.
For this blog, I wanted to give kids with diversabilities some ideas of school supplies to get to make things easier for them in school. I've been given lots of special equipment to make my school years easier. Sometimes I wish I didn't need all the stuff I have, and I could function like the other kids do with the basic things that they have for school supplies. However, I am very thankful for all the stuff I've been given by all my helpers. The tools they give me just make me more efficient and make school go smoother for me. Today, I'm going to talk about some stuff that I used in school that made it easier for me. It might give you some ideas for making your school day run smoother. If you have a diverseability like me and are struggling with doing simple tasks at school, hopefully reading this blog will give you some ideas to make school cool for you.
1. Computer- I've been using a computer since I was in grade three. It takes a while for me to write and use a little bit more of my energy ,so a computer is more efficient for me to use and it doesn't tire me out as much. I still love to write with a pen. I write my own notes with a pen because the hand coordination helps me remember what I'm writing. I use the computer for writing stories and essays and all the longer bits of writing . It's much faster for me and it's really good for English class. Everybody will be using computers in University or College, so it's giving me a head start on that. Set B.C has really spoiled me with all the cool technology I get to try that is on loan from them, and all the trips I get to go on with them. I'm very lucky. Computers are great. The amount of technology they have out there now to help people with diversabilities is amazing. I'd suggest looking into computer for all sorts of kids with all sorts of diverseabilities. They might make their school days a lot easier.There are computers that can talk for people that are non verbal. How cool is that? Computers and technology opens up a world of possibilities for us. The more technology like this that comes out, the closer will be to living in a world with no limits for us, and that's how we should think about things we want to do. There are no limits. None.
2. Desk- When I was in grade four, I got a desk that was specially designed for me. I had an easel that could go up and down. I could put my paper on there. With the table propped up, I couldn't slouch over as much. I wouldn't be easier on my back. The easel had little hinges on the back so the height was adjustable. I would do my writing there. I also a had longer table at the side that I could use my computer at and eat lunch at . I felt like an important buisness woman. I had a spinney chair with wheels so it would be easier for me to get in and out of my seat. The whole desk set up was made by an organization called Sunnyhill in Vancouver. It makes the main equipment that kids with diverseabilities need, like wheelchairs and stuff. This desk was very handy for me. It helped a lot with organization and made it easier for me because I didn't have to move around so much I don't have it anymore, but I kind of like sitting at a regular desk and being the same height as all the other kids. I usually take up two desks because I can organize my stuff easier that way. I'd recommend the special type of desk I had to kids like me. It helps with spacial stuff and just makes things simpler. So, if you ever get a chance to have one of these made for you, take it!
3. Foot board- My legs are quite tight because of Cerebral Palsy. Due to the tightness, they are up in the air. I guess when they are moving around like that all time it gets tiring. Having a foot boards gives me something to rest my feet on. Also, it reminds me to try and keep my feet down so I don't kick anybody. In my high school, there is a wood working class that kids take as an elective. They make things out of wood. They have made me a couple of these as a project for them. That was very nice. I wrote them a thank you letter. My school is great for getting me what I need They help me out a lot. I'd suggest these boards to kids with Cerebral Palsy, who have tight muscles. Just like how kids with Autism use those special balance disks to sit on so they can feel comfortable sitting for a long period of time, these boards will help you feel comfortable, and that will make the school day go much smoother
4. Book stand- The woodworking class made one of these for me as well. I have a couple of these, as well as a couple of foot boards, in each class. That way I don't have to carry them around with me to every class These book stands are great. I put them on my desk and lay my textbooks on them. I would suggest this to anyone who has glasses or vision problems. They make it easier on your back because your not bending over. so much to see the text onm the book. Sometimes, I grab my book off the stand to look at it more closely. I have to practise keeping it on the board though. I have two textbooks. I keep on at home so I don't have to pack one back and forth from school to home. That is much easier onme. Anyway, small things like foot boards and book stands help a lot with comfort, which is important. Your only happy if your comfy.
5. Bag- The first few years of high school, I really struggled with carrying my school books to and from classes. I would get have way down the hall and drop them. My helpers and tried all different sorts of bags to put my stuff in. We were always experimenting. Then, when my aide from laird came to the high school, she got an idea to make me a big bag out of jeans. She's a great sewer and she is always thinking. The bag has helped me a lot. Again, it's a great organizer. I just grab it and go. Sheila made little compartments out of the back pockets for pens and stuff. It's very convenient. I alsouse it as a backpack to bring homework home. It gets a lot of use out of it. Everyone should have a bag like this. Everything is right there. How handy is that?
6. Thicker Pens- When I was little, Occupational Therapists always wanted me to try holding pencils, or pens that had a rubber grip on them. They help kids that struggle with fine motor skills hold writing utensils properly. It is a rubber grip that has holes in it for the pencil to go through.. I think they are ones specially for left handed and right handed people. It shows where each finger goes. It's a great learning tool for little kids learning to print. I don't use them anymore though. I try and buy thick pens so I can grip onto them easier. I like the ones with rubber ends built into them. Good pens are nice. They affect your whole writing experience.
7. Lunch Hook- Another idea from my smart helper Sheila, was a hook attached to my desk to hold my lunch. This was decided was when I was in Elementary School. The kids had lockers that they would go and get there lunches from. Sheila would always grab mine so I wouldn't have to walk through the crowds and I could get to eating my lunch faster. I like being able to do things by myself though, so we developed the hook plan. I could just grab my lunch from the hook attached to my desk, and flip it on my desk and I could eat my lunch. Easy Peesy.
8. Box For Crayons- Isn't it exciting to buy a new box of crayons? You buy the box and you open it and smell the fresh new smell of crayons. None are broken. There all brand spankin' new. It's wonderful. I love using new crayons. However, sometimes it's hard to grab them out of the box because they're all squished together in there. So, a couple days after school start, my aide dumps all the crayons into this white boring box. Ha ha. It's not that bad. It makes it a lot easier for me to grab the crayons. I can grab the crayons so quick and colour away. It makes it more relaxing. I guess these boxes have some good uses after all.
9. Kindle- Lots of people have switched over from reading books to reading kindles. I'm one of those people. I thought I wouldn't like it. I love the feeling of holding a book and didn't want to give that up. Lefty wrecks the pages of books though, so I guess I kind of have to go with the Kindle. I've gotten used to it. I like how you just flip the pages with a button on the side. You can buy books directly on the kindle through Amazon. You have to have an account and use a Visa card. I use mom's so I have to tell her when I buy a book. We've narrowed it down to one a month. I got this kindle from SET B.C. Kathy, my SET B.C consultant downloaded some books on there for me at first and sshowed me how to do it. Then I learnt how to do it for myself. I'm really enjoying my kindle. I'd recommend it to all kids, especially kids with diversabilities. It might get them into reading more, which is pleasure everyone should be able to enjoy.
10. Binder- I have trouble opening binders. You have to use both hands to get the rings to open. Two years ago, I got a special binder. It opens up without any straps and to get the rings open, you just have to push a button at the end. It's much easier for me. I can get paper in and out of the binder myself now, which is great. I'd recommend these binders. I think you can bu y them at Staples. They are very efficient and user friendly.
I hope I gave you some ideas for some school supplies ideas. I know it's really close to the first day of school and you have probably got all of your supplies already, but these are just some extra ideas. Most of these things, I didn't even realize I needed. Someone would suggest it to me and it would sound like a good idea. Anyway, I hope some of the supplies I mentioned here helps you out in school, and that you have a great year!
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