Food for Thought

Eating My Words

By Lyn Karnes

I can remember vividly using that I will never phrase. We all know that phrase well and tend to have to eat those words often. I am gladly eating my words … Kon will never be able to attend a regular public school … he will never be strong enough to tolerate all the chemicals, germs, foods, children, and of course … leaving me. Well, I enjoy swallowing those words! I am so proud of Kon and his drive to attend school. So, if you feel that you are never going to be able to share your Special Messenger with the world, read this carefully. It might enlighten you to how it is being done.

There were steps that had to happen to ensure his safety before I could let go …

The first thing we did was move. Yes, we moved again. As a family, we decided if Kon wanted to be out of his bubble, we had to clean up his environment. As much as we all love our hometown of Loveland, Ohio, it was not the best place for our Kon. The pollen counts are high, the mold is high, the humidity takes a lot out of him, and the air quality was often not the best for him. So we thought and listened … Colorado was our next destination. After months of searching for a Konnor Safe home, we found it. The owner of the home had similar special needs like Kon and so everything was ready for him upon arrival. Can you even believe it??? So, in July we got him settled in and wow, did he burst out of that bubble.

We now have a boy that is definitely out of his bubble. In fact, we cannot keep up with him. He rides his bike, scooters to the store, plays at the public playground at his school, hikes, swims in the Poudre River … and the best part … he does this anytime he wants. We do not have to only go out for short periods of time because of the air. We still watch him for signs of any distress, but Kon is thriving in his new environment.

So after watching his fabulous transition, he proved that he was strong enough to attend our neighborhood school. Because of the amazing support of our school system, our "never will" quickly became "when and how"? It was not hard. The steps were simple: we had to set up a formal Health Plan with the school nurse and support staff, provide the essential Benadryl and Epi-Pen, provide Kon's hand soap for the class, be sure he wore his awesome baseball gloves for gym or outside on the playground, and let them know that I would do whatever they needed to help. Kon was going to have everything he needed in his classroom of 15 children. That was the best part — only 15 sets of hands to be washed upon entering the class, 15 sets of parents who have accepted my baby with open arms, 15 children who take care of him on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays by washing their hands and allowing a no snack policy. The amazing part of it all: all of the kids listen, understand, and love my boy.

We were fortunate enough to share A Special Message with the class to help explain how Kon is just a little different. We talked about not eating around Kon and please be sure to wash your hands after you eat lunch (pm Kindergarten). They loved the book and the fact that a classmate was in it!

Then there was Ms Hyman. Ms. Hyman is the wonderful soul that was assigned to Kon and me. Ms. Hyman, the poor first year teacher, that was getting the child with all the allergies and the over protective mother. Well let me tell you, as a former teacher, Kon and I are very lucky! She has been perfect. She listened to everything we explained to her, everything we asked of her, and has done so much more. So everyone involved really has made this easy. Thank you!!!

So, I'll eat my words with a huge smile and share new ones…Kon is going to school! He is attending Kindergarten part time for now. Our goal is that eventually he will continue to grow strong enough to attend the five, 1/2 day, Kindergarten program. It was not as hard or as scary as I had feared. I am on campus somewhere if he needs me, but he goes to class independently. "Independently" is a new word for Kon and me. We like it! The best part of it all is when I hear, "Hey mom, I made a new friend today." I am learning to share my Special Messenger with the world. Look at that, I am learning … again. Thanks, Kon.

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