I have a child that has been under an IEP for several years. The collab. teachers she has encountered have been top-notch people; caring and hard-working. They have made a huge difference in my child's education and have a tremendous burden on them with the excessive paperwork and all the meetings they have to conduct besides being with our children in class. It is a difficult job and I thank them for doing it so well!

Hey, Armybrat, my son receives Special Ed. services too. He's in first grade and has received Special Ed. services since Pre-K.

He couldn't hear for the first 2 1/2 years of his life so, his speech was greatly affected. Speech therapy is under the umbrella of Spec. Ed. and thank God for the Speech therapist at Inman Elem. (formerly East Fayette Elem.). She has taken a boy that no one could understand and turned him into a non-stop talkaholic. He still has trouble with blended sounds like 'ch', 'tr', etc. and this is holding him back a little with phonics, but he has made so much progress.

The Special Ed. staff is wonderful and yes, the IEP paperwork is astounding. It's a wonder they get anything accomplished at all. We have had 2 meetings so far this year and one coming up in May. Usually, these meetings commence for a good hour not counting the time these teachers have put into filling out the mountain of papers.

Kudos to all teachers, especially Special Ed. teachers. Your job is hard and often unappreciated.

President Obama makes a Special Olympics joke - staffer apologizes

In a lighthearted conversation, President Obama told Jay Leno that he recently bowled a 129 at the White House bowling alley.

“Very good,” Leno said sarcastically.

“It was like Special Olympics or something,” Obama replied.

The United States of America
July 4, 1776 - Jan 20, 2009
Rest in Peace

...on another website, regarding the Special Olympics comment:

"I should maybe, be perturbed, I don't know. After 8 - 9 years of bigger stuff to get pissed about, I've kind of gotten a bit more selective. Plus I'm buzzed."

That was the point where I changed channels. Did it get any worse?

Just ...when...I...uh...um...thought...um...ah...I..
.uh..um...we...um...er...ah...um...couldn't....um...you know...um...er...ah..find...um...ah...er..uh...anyone..
.to...ah...um..er...to...um... make...W....uh...um...er...look..um..
.uh...good.

This guy is hilarious with or without a teleprompter. The St.Patricks day thing was awesome too. All the leader of Ireland could was be gracious as obumbles read the wrong speech.

You camelion "conservatives" can switch from "Can't people speak their minds" arguments to The P.C. Police squad. Yea, sky. You've never said "sped." You've never called anyone a tard. And we must be politically correct so as not to offend anyone. You might want to apply for an ACLU job and start advising all who are offended to sue the government. Laughable outrage, Sky.

ps: You'll hat "Tropic Thunder"

This "chameleon" conservative doesn't use those words like "tard", Mr. Diva. And not because it isn't "P.C." but because it is plain offensive. I have a relative that has more than one child that is "challenged" not to mention my own child that has had many learning difficulties. So, yeah, what the so called gifted orator said was thoughtless. But, it does give us a bit more insight to him when he is unscripted.

This is profoundly sad. This has been just another sad week of gaffes. Starting with the St. Patricks Day thing.

Making fun of people with challenges or disabilities isn't funny.

I thought I had showed you the paintings and pen and ink drawings from my grandmothers brother. He was born with rheumatoid arthritis. His hands were deformed from birth. I keep his pen and ink drawings in a safe. I thought I showed you his picture and painting that I inherited from the 20's. He had no training or instruction, but could paint circles around me, and I have normal hands. I have had the benefit of college courses and many art instructors after college and still put up pathetic paintings compared to his. I also have some of his original powder paints that you add oil too, and his 2 brushes....thats right...only 2.

With only 2 brushes he produced paintings that looked like photographs, and with baskets full of every shape brush known to man I produce crap. Go figure.

I also started making car payments again. My dad inherited a 1942 Chevy that was custom built for his uncle with a handicap. He inherited this car in the late 70's. He would drive it off and on,(more off than on). He loved this car because it came from his uncle who had some challenges in life, and because it reminded him of the good old days. He wouldn't let me give him money to fix it up. I wanted him to enjoy it, and drive it until he died. So I came up with a brilliant plan. I'm buying it. The deal is he keeps it, and drives it until he dies. I pay to fix it up, now he has to put miles on it....thats all I ask. Please,...an antique car with only 70,000 original miles on it. I told him it had better have over 100,000 miles on it or the deal might be off....(wink, wink)

I'll show you the pictures of my "new" car the next time you come over, and if you are real nice I'll show the pen and ink drawings that I have in the fire proof safe.

I am a little sensitve when people pick on people with handicaps or challenges. They are close to my heart, and so much stronger and more talented than the rest of us.

My grandfather also had rheumatoid arthritis and was a very talented artist. He never painted much, but did amazing drawings and carvings. He was missing both index fingers so add that to the arthritis and it was a miracle he could do the things he did.

Grandaddy lived with us after my grandmother died. I spent most afternoons after school in the garage (his studio). My drawing table was right next to his. We spent those afternoons talking about art, my mom as a little girl, the war (WWII), and just life in general.

I remember telling him one day that I would "sell my soul" to have a voice like my friend Cindy. He told me that God gives each of us a special gift. Some are gifted at teaching, others gifted in debate, still others are gifted entertainers, singers, painters, writers, etc. Then he told me that I had the gift God wanted me to have and that coveting another's gift was wrong. He also said that we have an obligation not to squander the gift we're given and to use it to make others happy. That's what I hope for when I paint - I hope that someone finds joy from something I've drawn or painted.

I did not know that you are artistic. We should get together soon and share those old drawings you have. I'll bring my portfolio next time.

Good night,

Shannon Dawn

P.S. I really need to change my avatar. My son is getting a little jealous that my daughters portrait has been my avatar so long. Maybe I'll use one of his drawings - he's gifted in the arts too.

That would be great. Plus I could use some pointers. As soon as I finish this big house project I need to get back to drawing and painting. At least 20 mins. day. It is relaxing. Have a good weekend.

Special Olympics bowler: I can beat the president!

"He bowled a 129. I bowl a 300. I could beat that score easily," Michigan's Kolan McConiughey (KO-lahn Mc-KAHNA-he) told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.

The United States of America
July 4, 1776 - Jan 20, 2009
Rest in Peace