When Mr. Andi saw the post last week about Sarah Kate’s swim meet, his response was, “Finally a post about Sarah Kate!” He’s right, of course – since the new school year started, Nathan has dominated the posts here, partly because school is new for him and partly because he’s playing t-ball for the first time. Forget teamwork and exercise, t-ball provides an endless supply of blog fodder!
But there’s another reason Sissy has gotten short shrift lately.
Sarah Kate is almost thirteen, so she’s reached the age where her story isn’t really mine to tell anymore. I know some folks would argue that it never was, and looking back over the past five years of blogging, I do wonder at times if sharing my children’s lives openly is the right thing to do. I hope it is, and I am reassured knowing that the parts that I share are but a tiny sliver of their reality.
Having said that, I know a lot of you are interested in what Sarah Kate is doing these days and how middle school is going. I’d love it if she would write her own post about it, but she’s more interested in writing fiction, so you’ll have to make do with my account of things.
First things first: show choir
If you’ve been reading for awhile, you know that she almost bailed out of show choir on the very first day earlier this year. Knowing she would only qualify for the younger (4th-6th grade) group for one semester, I pressed her to follow through and we’re both glad that I did because it gave her the experience to audition for the older (7th-12th grade) group – and make it. Her friend from last year, Kate, will be with her again, as well.
Their first performance was at a local outdoor fall-themed combo art-, book-, and bird-fest on a brand new outdoor amphitheater – so brand new, in fact, that they were the first group to use it if you don’t count the person with the bird that spoke shortly before they sang.
They sang several songs, many of which were carryovers from last year, although Sarah Kate was in the younger group then so they were all new to her. They did at least one new number, “Cool” by Alesso, and guess who got the solo for that song? Why, yes, it was Sarah Kate!
She did a good job with it but I wasn’t crazy about the song and it didn’t seem like a good fit for her voice. However…I’m really proud that she went for this particular solo, because I know it was a little tricky and they had very little time to practice it. In fact, the director ended up making more of the song a solo than she had originally intended because the group parts apparently weren’t coming together quickly enough. She could probably benefit from voice instruction, but we just flat don’t have time for that this fall…perhaps next semester when swim is over.
Mr. Andi took video, but he was holding Gabi’s leash at the time so it looks like he’s watching the performance from a boat offshore in a typhoon. While he was doing that, I was attempting to take photos while dealing with my own hurricane…
Also recently, Sarah Kate got new braces.
For the first time ever, they aren’t made by Cascade DAFO. I’m sure they will be fine, and the fact is that sooner or later she wasn’t going to be a Cascade kid anymore because she wouldn’t be a kid at all anymore, and they specialize in kids. We’ve always had such great experiences with Cascade and she was even featured on several of their ad posters, but we had to change orthotists so I decided to bite the bullet and see what else is out there in the wide world of orthotics.
So what did I find? Denim transfers.
Totally weird but in a cool kind of way, I guess? As much as Sarah Kate talks about wanting to fit in and whatnot, I assumed she’d go with plain translucent plastic and white (or some other neutral) straps this time, but no…denim transfer.
And then we had to head to our local Journeys for Converse hi-tops, of course. It was a gut-wrenching decision, 🙂 but ultimately she passed over the hot pink and the navy and went with the Snorkel Blue (which approximates one of her school’s colors, so they’ll match her school uniform shirts).
And finally…
…an update sorta-kinda on the car line situation but also on getting around at school: a couple of weeks ago, Sarah Kate fell – not once, but twice – at school. The second time it happened, her teacher called the nurse and she had a heart-to-heart talk with Sarah Kate about her backpack (and the other stuff she carries at school).
Okay, not really. But I do like this new arrangement and I’m glad Sarah Kate agreed to it. When the school year started she was adamant that she not do anything that stood out, and I went along as much as I could. But even the salmon deserves to take advantage of the rare opportunities, right?
Swim season lasts a few more weeks so I’ll have more on that front and on future performances as the fall wears on.
Sarah Kate, Sometimes you have to stand out because the accomadations you need require it. Standing out is fine, good even. I always stand out because of my hearing loss. I know CP is different but still. Most people won’t even notice that you stand out after awhile. They either realize it doesn’t effect them or they know the real you so well it doesn’t phase them. Most often the people who continue to notice are the ones who don’t really matter. You are an awesome young lady and I’m glad middle school is treating you well for the most part. Feel free to email me anytime if you want to talk.
Thanks, Kathryn! I will try to remember to have Sarah Kate read your comment – she reads the blog, but she receives it by email so she doesn’t see the comments. She has never really minded being different in the past, but now I think she just gets a little tired of being the spotlight all the time.
I think Sarah Kate’s theme songs are:
-Jump, Laura Shigihara
-Faster, Laura Shigihara
I’ve been following you for a while and have seen Sarah Kate get a few new pairs of braces. Love these ones! I was wondering how the braces help Sarah Kate and what their purpose is? Is it to give her strength or stability in her legs?
Different types do different things, but this particular pair put pressure just below the knee to try to keep her from crouching, and also help prevent toe walking.
Sometimes Sarah Kate needs some things normal students don’t have to think about. Her safety and mobility are very important. And tumbles need to be kept to the minimum. Falling is never good. And her safety loading and unloading is also crucial. So, sometimes she has to have some breaks to be safe and functional. I am sore from taking a tumble early Saturday and tone kicking in and sending me from bed to floor. Not pleasant. Happened in a less familiar environment (my mom and dad’s house) And I still feel like I got kicked off the bull called life, and didn’t last 8 seconds. P.S. The Jean Braces are neat. And something which is a bit more stealth with her uniform and shoes.
So true, Kent! Sarah Kate had an incident at school recently where a student came up behind her, grabbed her by the shoulders, and made a loud noise. I’m sure it was just a goof that lots of kids do to other kids, but with her poor balance and startle reflex, she fell and hit her head. NOT GOOD.
Startle Reflex! An ugly thing. Leading to tumbles. A reason why there is signs to avoid tapping folks on shoulders and backs in the studio. As Spastic radio operators and engineers are on duty. Lots of tone, and tumbles happen. Not pleasant for air staff or engineering. Every visitor gets a crash course about dealing with physically challenged staff. And dos and donts. One tap the wrong way for us, and tumbles happen. Many of my classmates in college learned the hard way. Difference between CP person and Hollywood Movie Stuntman, the Stuntman gets paid. We’re both professionals!
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to you, Mr. Andi, Sarah Kate, and to Nathan. May you be safe, happy, healthy and above all your best. I am fine, but sore. House feline kneaded me on the wrong spot two days ago, bounced and hit floor on startle reflex and loss of balance. Bruised spinal cord again. I am swollen. And sore. Love the cat, but sleeping with me not safe. SK amazes me with what she does in life, she also encourages me to perform my best, and to Finish Strong, never Give Up. May 2016 be amazing for all of you. And above all, may your year be full of new great things., SK will likely be working in media, as that voice is articulate and clear. She knows how to think on her feet and to perform well under pressure. She’s born for radio and TV, and even could be great in PR. She knows how to handle herself when life is tough. I am in broadcasting. I do this for a living. I know she will excel at everything life can offer. I admire her and am amazed at her. She has communications down pat and interacting with the public. Never count SK out. Misunderstanding her is to people’s peril. As that applies to me and always has. We get it done. I wish I was close enough to know you on a more personal level. As you amaze me as parents. You do what I wish all parents with special needs children did. Let them be their best. No limits (only limits those kids make). You let them try things and not be overprotective and access their world with confidence. My mom did. She gained much. You and Mr. Andi are respected and admired.
Happy new year, Kent! Sarah Kate and I were in Florida for her birthday so I’m just getting caught up on emails/comments. I will share with her what you wrote – she has recently started voice lessons and she loves it! You may be right about her future… 😉