The Zelda Chronicles...

...as promised, here's the 5th year Zelda update. As relayed earlier, Creed is exploding on all fronts - and the same goes for his sister. Zelda attends one of the best public elementary schools in town every day from 7h45 - 2pm. Yes, we drop her off in her PPCD classroom (that's Public Preschool for Children with Disabilities) every morning at an extremely un-godly hour. She happily jaunts down the hall with her long white cane as the other kids stare, some dare to say 'hello', and as the parents jump out of her way while apologizing profusely. The beauty of the situation is - that in this overly white, upper middle class environment where all the mothers are perfectly dressed in their exercise attire each morning and the dads wear rumpled khaki suits, Zelda knows no visual stereotypes. Diversity, (or lack of) at this point, may only be absorbed through what she hears. So, I guess her mom and dad need to stop being so judgemental and critical!

Anyway, her PPCD class is one of inclusion and it blends with the Pre-K class each day, therefore preparing her for the foray into public kindergarten next year. Andrea, her TVI, works with her on Braille, reading and writing, three times a week. Lonnie, her O & M, works with her to navigate the halls, the playground and general cane usage two times a week. She sees Miss B once a week with a group for Speech and then once a week privately and her language is improving by leaps and bounds. At 2pm everyday, she rides the bus to join Creed and her longtime friends at Ecole, where she continues to be immersed in French and hangs out in the garden for extended day play.

AND, the biggest milestone is now Zelda is peeing in the potty. Wow, wow, wow! We were trying to remain calm and less impatient but with the help of the PPCD team and her beloved teachers at Ecole, she now is potty trained. Except for the poop factor - that deserves a whole other entry. And, I need to write a book. Yes folks, information on how to potty train a blind, stubborn little girl - not much about it anywhere and believe me, I have searched!

Hmmm...let's see, other big news: Zelda will now play by herself and with others in a bouncy house - you know, those giant inflatable things kids have at their parties. Up until last week, she always whined and often screamed for Evan to go in with her but at a recent Ecole potluck, she climbed in herself, jumped, fell and giggled with the other kids. Whew!

She likes to do laundry and put things in the dishwasher...she is even starting to get dressed on her own which is more than I can say for her twin brother.

And, when asked what she wants to be for Halloween, she declared, "Halloweena!" We're working on that one and hoping that it's her first outward display of her imagination.

She sings and continues to identify music and for her 5th birthday at PPCD (where they request no sweets or food, but an activity), Zelda chose the Rolling Stones and had a dance party to 2 of their songs from "Exile on Main Street".

This week, we attended the walk from the Texas State Capitol to City Hall for National White Cane Day...she was by far the tiniest ( and cutest) kid there! GO ZELDA! And I must admit, it really is hard to remember these kids as babies - they are growing, learning and exploring by leaps and bounds. It just gets better every day...

National White Cane Day...

So every year on October 15th, thousands of blind people across the country celebrate National White Cane Day. Here in Austin, there is a march from the lawn of the State Capitol down to the steps of City Hall. Last year over 300 people participated. The community effort and celebration serves to educate and foster awareness about the blind - whether they walk with a white cane or have a guide dog. There is a gathering in Republic Square Park with music, food, booths with information about Braille, games and resources.
I really wanted Zelda to participate this year and we will in the future but she's just not there yet with her cane. She is coming along nicely however!

So after I dropped the kids at Ecole, I drove along to accompany the White Cane walkers. I was feeling particularly empowered and proud and energized and then like a wave, it came over me. I sobbed. I cried for my daughter. I cried for the loss of of her sight. I pulled into my driveway and just sat - defeated. I guess I'm still not finished mourning and don't know if I ever will be.

Zelda is a superstar, a pistol, a smart, silly little girl who now says "Merci" when you hand her a cookie. In our Ecole conference, her teacher described her as "extremely popular". She explained that the classroom is a better place because of Zelda. The students are kinder, more thoughtful, more attentive. Do I ever want her to feel objectified? Of course not. Do I want her to help educate people and open their minds to the unknown? Hopefully someday. But most of all I just want her to be the most Zelda-like girl that she can ever possibly be...and I want her to be happy and have friends.