LAUSD Assessment: Step 1

A new era has begun with Obama, and I have good news regarding my mother. Further, I have good news to report on H. As it turns out, I learned three valuable pieces of advice that I have learned as the start of the process with the LAUSD:

1. You are the advocate for your child.
2. From the outset, define who your 'Case Worker', 'Facilitator', and/or facilitator's 'Manager' is.
3. If you fail to receive a phone call back, outline your concern in a facsimile to the Manager.

I have learned the following:

1. If you are working with the staff at Short Elementary, there are five(5) teams there. Thus, you should always request that you leave a message on the facilitator's voicemail, NOT with any individual there.

The Journey of the IEP Begins

It is unfortunate that my mind is not clear on this historic election day. However, given the challenges I am facing with my mother, it is appopriate to begin writing about the Mt. Everest I will attempt climb in securing services for H with LAUSD. This journey began on October 24th.

I reached out to LAUSD at (213)241-4713 to request an asseessment. On 10/24 B recommended that I reach out to BA as the file had been assigned to her. I was fortunate to catch her, and believing that the file rang a bell to her, she assured me that the her team was reviewing over the weekend, and that I should have an answer by Tuesday, 10/28; the teams reviewing files for meet the year end deadline.

I received NO phone call back, nor return of the messages I had left for her at the Santa Monica location. I have now been told that messages should not be left with the office as there are 5 teams that work from this location, and messages are regulary not given to the facilitator.

Today, on 11/4, I finally caught up with Barbara again, who while reassuring me that my assessment would be completed by the deadline, had no immediate knowledge of H. While she is willing to reach out to AA, her team leader, she refuses to provide any concrete information about the next steps. Again, she has promised that she will reach out to AA, and get back to me if she is not able to immediately reach out to her.

Graduation Day

Although we have a host of things on our plate at the moment, and are only minutes away from departing, I couldn't help but sneak into the library one last time to wish it and the NICU farewell.

Life will never be the same....

Avent and Kolcraft It Is

With the announcement that we are only 36 hours away from departing the NICU, the wife and I are paying particular attention to all the details. we made our first true parental decisions today. Firstly, we decided to depart the Dr. Brown bottles for the simplicity of the Avent 'Naturally' bottles.

Even more exciting was our trade in of the Fisher-Price swing for the Kolcraft Right Height. Not only does it have more features, but at dawn, with NO directions, I was able to slip it together. Although Fisher-Price has a comfy seat, the features pale in comparison to the Kolcraft. The Kolcraft can be use more than simply a swing. With its sturdy architecture, its snap-on table, lights, and music, it as an additional snack spot as well as for a bit of relaxation.

Do NOT Buy Any Items From Babyage.com

Luckily I got caught up with Harrison, and was unable to send out a not encouraging you to visit the President's Day sale at Babyage.com.

As it turns out, they have a hole in their online purchase software that allows them to debit funds from your account repeatedly as you hit 'Complete Order' although the screen reads 'Invalid Credit Card'. I now understand why their prices are so low. Having to launch my weekend by filing a complaint with my bank to try to get the over $200 that has vanished, I encourage you to stay away far away from Babyage.com. Do NOT take the risk to buy items from them.

I look forward to keeping you posted on my progress.

The End In Sight

As the wife returned safely from her journey, we also had good news that Harrison is up to 50ccs on his feeds. Readying to go in and see him at dawn this morning, I believe we may just be headed to the finish line. Course that means that we will have to face the infamous Vitamin K blood test.

On My Own Today

There are so many things I should be doing this morning like balancing my bank account, starting my taxes of even simply taking a walk around the block. However, with my wife headed to Mexico to visit her sister, I seem drawn here. Having again paced the progress with Harrison, we stuck to 40ccs yesterday, and battled through the 8pm feeding. Today is a big day as Harrison will need to guide himself through the day for the first time without Robyn by his side.

As for me, I will continue my balance act between Harrison, work, and envisioning what this journey must be like for Robyn.

Another first, I will encourage you to PASS on a product. Having struggled throught its construction, I encourage you to avoid the Fisher-Price Natural Touch Baby Papasan Cradle Swing. While it looks fantastic in the picture, it is both nearly impossible to construct, and its pyramid structure requires a great deal of space that few rooms have.

Vitamin K

I think I have come down with what has been called 'hospitalitis'. Most of you would also get a case if you were faced with yet another blood test; this one testing for a Vitamin K deficiency. The doctors have truly run out of ideas as to where we go from here.