My Supports

                      

I have been very fortunate to have been surrounded with a support system throughout my life. I have had the support needed each time I was introduced to a new adventure, when I ventured off the path and needed to be pulled back, or when I worked towards a new milestone in my life. I have been given advice, hugs, smiles, suggestions or at times left to make mistakes and then given the support I needed after realizing the choice I made wasn't the best....without judgments! The support I have received throughout my life has made me the person I am today. Even though the support that I necessitated remained a constant, the type and level of support has changed and evolved with the transformations that were occurring in my life at the time. When I stop and take a moment to reflect, I realized that the varying amount of support from varying people was priceless!

As I became a wife, mother, and a professional, my view on supports changed as now I view myself more of a supporter rather than the one needing support. Why is that? I think that I began to re-evaluate the level of support I might need in my life when I began thinking about starting a new journey and applying for my Master’s degree. I didn’t have the confidence in my skills and abilities and thought that I wouldn’t be successful. The support that began to flood around me with not only encouragement, but also the push to believe in my skills was outpouring. I had to reflect and see if I had a big enough support system to help me balance being a wife, mom, professional, and now a student.....oh, and how could I forget.....house cleaner, cook, dishwasher, clothes washer.....! :)  Do you get my point! I thought, how am I going to be able to handle all of this and that is when I realized that I will now be the one who will once again need help. I remember speaking with my enrollment officer from Walden and he told me that we could write up a contract for my husband with all the things he will now have to do when I begin my studies! If I think back, I don't think we got my husband to sign it!!!!!! Since I began my studies, I have realized that once again, I do have an amazing support system! I not only get constant encouragement, but I do get help around the house. My husband is a great cook and the best at getting groceries. My son will come by as I am sitting at my laptop and rub my shoulders and he is always the first one to say, "Great job mom!" when I get my marks back. My daughter keeps me balanced and knows when it is time to take the dog for a walk when I need some fresh air or when it is time to go out for ice cream! Humor is a huge part of my life and the best support is when I can be silly with my family and share laughs together. The most important support of all is when we share our "I love you!' at the end of the day....that is the best support I need! I know that I have just begun this journey, but if I didn't have support, I would have had many more challenges trying to balance everything. I am not saying that it is not challenging, but without my friends and family it would have been a lot harder!!

Mild Intellectual Delay Combined with Anxiety

If I were to imagine that I had a specific challenge, I would choose the challenges listed above. 

I am not working at the same grade level as my peers as it takes me longer to learn concepts than it would typically developing children. I am working at least 3 grades behind other students for most subjects and I read 4 grades behind most children in my class. I also worry when there are changes in my daily routine or schedule and I get very upset when these changes occur. 

When I think about my challenges, I know I would want to be treated the same as every other child in my class. Yes, it may take me longer to learn academic skills, but I wouldn't want to be treated differently. I don't want my teacher to assume that I learn the same way as everyone else, so I will need the teacher to adapt her teaching style as I am a very visual learner and I learn better when the learning is hands on.  I have troubles keeping up writing notes or writing in my agenda, so having it broken down or having the teacher post the notes in our classroom website would be helpful. Spelling can also be challenging, so having access to a computer at my desk at all times with programs such as "Word Q" would help. I will also need my curriculum adapted to meet my needs as I wouldn't be able to understand work given to me if it is not at my level. I find reading challenging, so it would be helpful to have books that I am interested in so it will motivate me to read. I would also need plenty of praise when I accomplish a task and encouragement when I am trying my best. This praise and encouragement will help me to feel good about myself and keep my confidence up. It would also be beneficial if there was an educational assistant in the room that could help me and other children who needed help. It would also be helpful to have to have a daily schedule with pictures so I know what happens next. This schedule is also helpful at home so I know what happens and changes can be identified so I can adapt to  new things. Speaking of home, I would also need support from my family. I want to feel loved and the encouragement to show me that I can do anything that comes my way. When my family believes in my skills and abilities then it helps me to have the same beliefs. I may need a tutor after school to help with my studies and support with my homework. I also want my family to see my strengths and what I do well instead of focusing on my challenges all time! I have lots to offer too!! I am funny, a great swimmer and great snowboarder, so that should be a focus too! I just want to be loved for who I am as an individual regardless of my challenges. 

I couldn't imagine what it would be like if I didn't have a support system put in place. I feel like I would be lost as I would as wouldn't be able to keep up with the expectations. I don't know what my self-esteem or confidence would be like either? For me, support is what is going to help me be a positive and successful person. Everyone deserves support to help them attain their goals!