Explaining Blake

I think I'm losing it. I just glanced at the television, and there was a man model on the television with a lycra turtleneck pulled up over his face. I read the headline as "Hini season". Wha? Oh, duh, Kristie H1N1 season. I am telling you, this week has fried my brain. I am glad it's Friday.

I spoke with Blake's class yesterday about his differences. I read the book My Friend Isabelle to them and talked to them about how his brain works differently than theirs. I told them that sometimes he does different things, and that is okay. I talked about how some kids need glasses to see, and some people need a wheelchair or leg braces to help them get around. I said that he needs Mrs. T to help him learn. One little girl told me that she went to preschool with Blake. I asked (knowing the answer was yes) if she was his friend. I told her I was glad Blake has a friend in Kindergarten and that he needed lots of friends. I asked who else wanted to be Blake's friend and they all raised their hands. It was very cute.

We talked about the things they like to do and I told them that Blake likes to do those things too. Except for play with Barbies, like one little girl told me. :)

We gave the teacher a letter to send home to all the parents about Blake and Fragile X telling them that I had spoken to the class about him. We directed them to the National Fragile X Foundation's website for more info, and of course gave our phone number for them to call if they had any questions.

I have to go back today to speak with the other kindergarten class he's in (he is in the Tuesday-Thursday class and the Wednesday-Friday class as well. And on Tuesday of next week, I am speaking to the other kindergarten teacher's class. They are with Blake during "specials" like music and art, I think. As well and lunch and recess. After Tuesday, every member of his grade will have gotten the talk, and will understand Blake a little better.