advocating, fighting, whatever

I'm the kind of gal that likes things to be easy-going, light & fluffy, nice & cheery. I'll be the first to duck out of the room if the conversation gets heated. Let's all just be happy and smile, okay?

But now I'm a mother. And being Bugg's mama especially, I've had to learn to really speak up. Like when his pediatrician brushed me off when I said Bugg needed a certain blood test done. Or when the operator at the children's hospital was taking her sweet time while he was having a seizure (I did call her back and apologize for being so impatient). Or the time when I was going to have to pay for a summer movie pass when he was only two. Puh-lease. Trust me, he won't even watch it or care.

For over a year now, I've tossed the idea back and forth to ask my city's parks & rec to install a special swing at the park. One that can accommodate children with special needs. But why would they listen to lil' ol' me? I'm sure they've got lots of other pressing issues in these stressful times, right? But Bugg can only swing in these little bucket seats for so long before he'll get too big and he can't sit up in the regular swings. But why would they listen to lil' ol' me?


I love to push my girls on the swings. The underdogs, the rush of wind, the freeness, Meeskii singing, "I believe I can fly!" at the top of her lungs, Rooskii flapping her arms & legs with giddiness.

Sometimes my heart sinks when I see Bugg over there on the side. Although he hangs out patiently, I wonder if there just isn't something that I can do so that I can push all my babies on the swings at the same time!

And now, I find myself wanting to put on boxing gloves and take to the rink. I just found out that this dear sweet angel, Miss Britt........

.....will no longer be Bugg's one-on-one aide next year in preschool because of a budget cut. Instead, there will be "floaters." My heart just sunk when I heard this news.

She knows Bugg. She loves him. He loves her. Miss Britt knows his mannerisms, his cranky cues and what to do, how to comfort him, how much to push him during therapies, what he enjoys. She writes me notes on how the day went and does the cutest projects with him. She comforted me that day before school started when I was choking up and saying that it was really hard to send him to school. I knew he'd be just fine with her. And this year has been so wonderful. I was looking forward to next year being the same.

This just isn't okay with me. At first, I just accepted it. Well, he still will have his fantastic teacher. I do really adore Miss Rachael. But he needs a one-0n-one. He needs consistency. I need it, too.

I will fight for my boy. I can do it. But I'd love your help. Please?

What should I do? Have any of you "special" moms had to deal with similar stuff? What worked?

I'll try anything and everything. And if that doesn't work................

.....Bugg & I will bake. We'll bake cookies to take to the budget-cutter peoples. That'll get 'em.