Health knowledge made personal
|
"The Quest" hosted by York Region Public School Board.
I was emotional delivering this speech as this was truly a tribute to Ashley's entire team of teachers, aids, and therapists and only with them working together and believing in my little girl is this such a success story. There was a 1000+ educators in the room they gave us quite the audience. Public speaking was new to both Ashley and I but we were both very passionate about our message. Ashley's road to inclusion. A road I hope many other kids will travel.  My words;
My daughter you're so amazing.
You were born into a storm. Coming into this world, so tiny, and yet instantly fighting for your life.
I hope this world can see how wonderful you are.
Your life started in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for months followed by daily therapy to learn to do what comes so easy to most, walking, communicating, eating and even holding a toy.
Instead of playmates you had dedicated nurses and therapists. Instead of walks in the park and rides in a stroller you went to therapy, doctor visits and experienced long hospital stays
Ashley speaks -
I just want to run and play.
I have something to say.
Then I continue to share... When Ashley entered Mrs. Gambino’s kindergarten class, she had her challenges but was welcomed by her teacher just the same as her classmates. Ashley - At school they gave me a voice. My name is Ashley. Will you be my friend? Inclusion in education for Ashley is the beginning of inclusion for the rest of her life. Just as we all want to belong, Ashley wants to belong and Ashley wants to be included. 
I don’t want the school to focus on guarding and protecting her. I want the school to focus on giving her lots of chances and choices. They have assisted her to walk daily and in response, she led her entire class into kindergarten graduation with her walker. She was given a simple step-by-step communication device and is now learning to use an iPad with even more options to communicate. Ashley has been given the opportunity to stay for grade one, and we are so appreciative of the incredible support she has received in Ms. Bloom’s class. We hope to see Ashley’s at this year’s primary skate days and were excited when Janice Lee the school’s physiotherapist suggested of course Ashley could skate with a sledge. Who would have thought when Ashley was born that she would be up here giving a speech to all of you. Ashley loves music and I’m sure would be thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in primary choir. I don’t see anything as impossible for my little girl as long teachers and support staff, are open minded and welcoming Ashley can do anything! I’m confident Ashley will be successful at her home school for all of her elementary years. I look forward to seeing how OUR family, OUR resource teams and OUR school will continue to collaborate. With careful planning and resource management Ashley will benefit with greater access to the full curriculum throughout elementary school and even high school. How will YOU help me to make this happen? Ashley's closing words; I love being in Ms. Bloom’s class. 
Special thank you to Erin S. one of Ashley's friends and a neighbour who recorded Ashley's thoughts for this presentation on Ashley's step by step. It was very sweetly done. By the way Ashley's story was just one of 5 stories shared in this dramatic presentation. I will do my best to find out when this will air on ROGERS TV channel 63 if anyone is interested in watching this. |
Write a comment:
|
The Quest 2011