FERNAN: Success stories abound

My daughter Kassie (who has Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome) has been attending the Fernan Elementary Life Skills class for about five years. When she first arrived, she was mostly non- verbal which resulted in her screeching, scratching and kicking to communicate her needs. 

Often I would pick her up and her teachers would have scratches and bruises caused by my little "princess!" Still, I was always met with a smile and a list of positive things that Kassie had accomplished for the day.

You could tell by the sparkle in my daughter's eyes as she interacted with her teachers that she was truly building caring relationships with her extended Fernan "family." Kassie, now 11, can communicate in full sentences. She has far exceeded the academic and social expectations that are normally limited by her syndrome. I attribute so much of that growth to her teachers at Fernan!

I no longer live in the Fernan Elementary zone; however, I choose to drive her 20 minutes each way from my North Hayden home so that I can place her in the hands that I believe truly love and care for her well-being. Each special needs child has their own individual set of communication skills. Sometimes this communication comes in the form of actions and behaviors that are destructive, negative and sometimes harmful to themselves and those around. Still, these teachers are so very patient and attending to each child and I thank them with all my heart.

BECKY KIELBLOCK

Hayden