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Parenting: Preemies Community

Premature babies get special love and come with special concerns. Gather here ... more

Reply: PDA???

Just as a Mom, my opinion is the Dr's are not communicating with you very well and you need...

Posted by PunkyK

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:PDA??? Just as a Mom, my opinion is the Dr's are not communicating with you very well and you need...

Reply: I was born 3 months prematurely and now I am almos...

Dear Young Man, To me you are a successful young man who has done well in your life to...

Posted by PunkyK

Dear Young Man,
To me you are a successful young man who has done well in your life to overcome so many obstacles. Many children would simply have sunk into their own world because of their speech issues due to embarrassment and shyness and might even have given up on their school work because of the challenge of it. You, my friend, made friends, continued to work on your grades, you know TWO languages, and you have entered college as an adult. I am sure that your journey has not been easy due to the difficulties you have described, very well, I might add. You are obviously fully capable of expressing yourself, very organized in your thoughts, and have the determination to get what you want to say, out, even if you have to fight your body with your brain, a little.
And one thing about the mis-spellings and grammar. I am very lucky to have been born without disabilities, yet, my spelling is horrible at age 47. I've always struggled with that. Spell check in Word is my best friend, even when writing by hand because I keep it up on my screen so I can check before I write a word I'm not sure how to spell. Even though some of your words or grammar might not have been technically correct in your story about "you", you were very organized and clear in your communication. I will share with you something my son's 2nd grade teacher told me when I was struggling with helping the children with spelling!!! She said, "How well we spell is not a measurement of our intelligence." That was over 15 years ago and I have never forgotten it.
The fact that you chose to share your story from the 'adult' preemies perspecive shows that you also have a big heart. You can joke with others that your scar proves that!

I think, as a mom and as someone who appreciates the struggles and work you put in to overcome your disabilities, that you can be anything you want to be. I am sorry that your support system was taken away once you hit Jr. High. But, there is some support in the college system. If you have not sought this help, please do so. It's up to you to ask. Start with your counselor, student affairs, or with a favorite professor. Your counselor will be aware of what is available on campus (federal funding) in addition to what is required by the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. There might be monetary sources including grants and scholarships offered by outside organizations or the private sector, that you may qualify for to help pay for classes and living expences. Some colleges have more resources than others. If your school has medical programs such as Speech pathology, etc., you might be able to help yourself as well as others. You learned how to deal with" it " on your own when your public school resources were removed in your early teen years. So, now learn how to ask for what you need and be creative and assertive. College is all about learning how to manage your life's journey on your own, so it's up to you to ask what resources are available and express your special needs.
Get involved in student activities. You are a newer student so now is the time to jump in and just take the plunge. It will help you be more comfortable with your speech issues and others will be accepting of them and will even be willing to help you feel more confident about verbal communication. You don't have to explain why you have the issues you do off the bat. You can just say, "I've had these issues since I was a baby." Some might leave it at that and other's might want to know more. This may be the most challenging for you, but you have already shown that you have a can do attitude, and after all, college is suppose to be where you push yourself beyond your own expectations. I think you might just be more of a people person than you thought and that might be the direction you choose to go in your career choices. Plus, people skills don't require math!!! Good luckView Thread

Posted byPunkyK

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:I was born 3 months prematurely and now I am almost 20. Dear Young Man, To me you are a successful young man who has done well in your life to...

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