Hi, my name is Denise and I live in Maryland. I have a daughter with CP. She will be 21 in March. She is starting the transition between school and adulthood. She does have moderate learning disabilities, however, she is very bright. Most of the suggestions of the school are vocational type settings. I am not against her getting a job, but I really would like her to get more of an education. She is retaining her knowledge, it's just taking longer than the average child. I am at my wits end, as the school system wants me to keep her on file with the county and social services, yet none of the programs offer academics...it is all job and life skills. She has life skills, I give her that every day. It saddens me to see such a bright young woman and all they seem to be prepping her for, is a job with a broom. And I am in no way against that type of employment, if that is her wish. It's not.
If anyone has any info or insight on this matter, I'd be greatful !

Thanks.
Denise in MD.:confused:

Hi Denise,
My name is Kelly, and I am 25 years old. I have spastic right hemiplegia and some learning disabilities. In high school, I was in the resource room, and at my last IEP meeting before graduation, a vocational rehabilitation specialist came, and I was also encouraged to go through them to obtain employment. I did that for awhile, but my plans included college, as I was a good student and I knew it. I, as it sounds like is your daughter's case, learned everything as well as my peers, just had to work a little harder and it sometimes took a little longer. The vocational rehab. counselor told me to apply for SSI as I planned to go to college. SO, in that way it was helpful. They do not discourage college, however, for people that get their services, it is not the norm. I understand why you are so distressed about this. I would be too, and have been there. I can not speak for my mom and tell you how she felt but I honestly think her goals for me are not the same as mine for myself. If she decides to go the route of college, I would suggest starting at the community college level, as I found it hard to go away to college, and had to eventually come home and go to a community college myself. I have yet to finish, but it is not for the reason of my cerebral palsy, but for mental health reasons. I am close though, and do intend to finish when the time is right. If your daughter's case involves a voc. rehab counselor, I would not suggest rejecting their help all together as some of the things she was able to tell me and help me with were helpful. I just closed the case with them when I was done with their services as my plans were different. On the plus side, they were able to provide some financial aid for the university, so that might be a possibility in your daughter's case. I would encourage you to guide her in the direction your gut tells you, which seems from reading your message to be the route of college. There are also accommodations that can be made for her once she has decided on where to go to college. All I needed in Michigan was documentation from a professional about my disability. I believe it was my doctor, but it may not have to be. Good luck!!! If you have any more questions, post them and I will try to answer and offer support.

Kelly

Hi Denise,

Have you checked with your local Vocational Rehabilitation branch? They are paying for my schooling, so maybe they would be able to work with your daughter to set up and employment plan, and send her to school to fufill that goal.

Hi Denise,
My name is Kelly, and I am 25 years old. I have spastic right hemiplegia and some learning disabilities. In high school, I was in the resource room, and at my last IEP meeting before graduation, a vocational rehabilitation specialist came, and I was also encouraged to go through them to obtain employment. I did that for awhile, but my plans included college, as I was a good student and I knew it. I, as it sounds like is your daughter's case, learned everything as well as my peers, just had to work a little harder and it sometimes took a little longer. The vocational rehab. counselor told me to apply for SSI as I planned to go to college. SO, in that way it was helpful. They do not discourage college, however, for people that get their services, it is not the norm. I understand why you are so distressed about this. I would be too, and have been there. I can not speak for my mom and tell you how she felt but I honestly think her goals for me are not the same as mine for myself. If she decides to go the route of college, I would suggest starting at the community college level, as I found it hard to go away to college, and had to eventually come home and go to a community college myself. I have yet to finish, but it is not for the reason of my cerebral palsy, but for mental health reasons. I am close though, and do intend to finish when the time is right. If your daughter's case involves a voc. rehab counselor, I would not suggest rejecting their help all together as some of the things she was able to tell me and help me with were helpful. I just closed the case with them when I was done with their services as my plans were different. On the plus side, they were able to provide some financial aid for the university, so that might be a possibility in your daughter's case. I would encourage you to guide her in the direction your gut tells you, which seems from reading your message to be the route of college. There are also accommodations that can be made for her once she has decided on where to go to college. All I needed in Michigan was documentation from a professional about my disability. I believe it was my doctor, but it may not have to be. Good luck!!! If you have any more questions, post them and I will try to answer and offer support.

Kelly
Thank you, Kelly. Your kind words have helped me. I need to regroup and RELAX ! I get soooo frustrated though ! We have her second to last IEP on the 4th. I'll let you know how it goes.

Denise.

Thanks Midget ! I will ask her transition facilitator at the next IEP (02/04).

Denise.