eSpecially Ben

My name is Michele. I live on Long Island in New York with my husband, Rich, 10 year old daughter, Taylor, and 2 year old son, Ethan. I have known Vanessa for nearly 30 years, since middle school. So I have some really good dirt on her. Like when she used to wear skin tight jeans with white “pumps” to school. Well…It was the 80’s! Oh, this is supposed to be about me…Sorry. Anyway, when Vanessa asked me do write this I was honored. She is an inspiration to me, and she is one of the most courageous, most selfless persons I know. I also thought, “Why is she asking me? Ethan doesn’t really have special needs.” I guess even though I am constantly hounding my husband for being in denial, I have a little of my own at times. When Taylor was a baby, I left a terrible and abusive marriage with her father. I went back to college to pursue a career as a Special Education Teacher. Little did I know how helpful my career as a Special Ed Teacher would become. I was a single mother, full-time st

My name is Elizabeth and I teach preschool special education in Charlotte. I “fell” into the field 14 years ago while working on my Master’s degree and teaching at a church preschool. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to leave the classroom to support preschool teachers in inclusion settings. I loved the chance to meet other teachers and share ideas, but could not stand to be out of the classroom. The next year, I was back in the classroom – and this little red head kid stopped by to visit with his mom. I was HOOKED! My husband, Brad, and I have 2 children – Ryan (13) and Kathryn (10). Ryan has Down syndrome and goes to middle school in a separate setting class. He likes trains, Disney movies and going to visit Grandmommy and Granddaddy at the Chicken Farm. Kathryn is in 5 th grade and loves drama. She just finished her final performance with the school choir and anyone who knows her already has her autograph. I love to read eSpecially Ben. Vanessa has a w

I know my title probably has some of you ready to hear me rant and rave about how I need to be appreciated for all the work I do...well at least not today. (Ryan breathes a sigh of relief.) This post is about reading - just plain old reading words, like you are doing now. Logan has started reading over the past couple of months. I am overjoyed by it, so proud of him I want him to show everyone his new skill. I am writing about this because I do not hear people talk about their child learning to read. Am I missing something? Is my appreciation so much more because of Ben's situation? Do people just not talk about it because it is considered bragging? I wish someone would help me out here. Learning to read was not on my radar as something to be excited about. Of course, everyone asks about rolling over, sitting up, first steps and first words. But never did anyone warn me that hearing my child read an entire book would make me burst with pride. Logan reads signs when we are