VIDEO: Sharing support for a new school year
Tomorrow is a big day for Jordan: Second grade! She arrives to the school she knows but with a little different experience. Her brother moves on into Middle School and that means she doesn’t have him looking after or either of them having a chance to torment each other during the after-school program.
School has always been an experience I love and loathe. Summer always gives us time to just have fun and hang with friends. There aren’t as many “teachable moments” about limb differences or any type of differences that can come up at school. So I’ve gotten pretty good at preparing so Jordan and her school is ready.
First, I’m lucky knowing the discussion about school is a part of the Camp No Limits experience. The kids with limb differences talk about how they deal with stares and questions and all the other challenging stuff that can come with an obvious physical difference.
Second, we started something in Kindergarten that Jordan has asked to continue: A small picture book that tells her story with photos of her super exciting and active life. Here’s this year’s second grade book:
Jordan’s Second Grade Book – Born Just Right by Jen Lee Reeves
This year, Jordan told me she wanted to shoot a video offering advice about going to school so other kids can feel less nervous. I bet she has additional advice, but I love what she has to say:
That’s awesome! Taylor has a book we made when she started preschool that’s very similar. I think, as well as everyone who has had the opportunity to read it, that it really helps the children and adults understand Taylor’s difference and how it’s really not a big deal. You and Jordan were my inspiration on the project as well as my closing sentence: “we are all different and we are all Born Just Right! “
Nina, I’m so honored! Everything you’re doing with Taylor is pretty darn amazing.
This warms my heart. And makes me want to go back to school and make new friends! I’ll get over that “going back to school” feeling in a few minutes. 20 years was enough. 🙂 I hope Jordan has a wonderful first day!
I just love her! “It’s that easy!”
I can’t wait to show this to Oliver… We are starting a new PreK 4 in a week. We moved (military) from the preschool that he grew up in (all the kids knew and loved him, no explanations needed) and are diving into a whole new group of kids soon. He is nervous, but I’m hoping Jordan’s wise words will help! I know they’ve helped me!
Bess
Bess, Oliver is going to do great. I’m sure of it. I’m glad Jordan could help. She’s been talking about wanting to shoot more videos to help kids. The funny part was she got a little nervous and needed to be interviewed. She isn’t ready to monologue just yet!
I love you Jordan for sharing such a simple truth and wisdom in such an extraordinary and outstanding way! You have “brain smarts” and a very fine tuned Intelligence of the Heart! Thanks for being you and maybe, too, for teaching some of us out in the world, that it’s okay to say out loud what others need to hear, but are too afraid to acknowledge. My guess is that you are a very patient and forgiving person. By your example and words you are helping those who are cold-hearted to learn that they won’t truly live a full life like you are doing if they don’t begin again to accept and love others. Thanks also, for supporting those of us who are supporting you. Together we are strong! God has many faces. Today, I see God shining in your beautiful smile and in the Word you speak. Deana Burnham-McKettrick,
Secular Sister/Canon Communities of St. Benedict
Thanks, Sister Deana, for your kinds words!
Thank you so much for posting this. I love her tips, and I love the book that you made. We are a few years out from Elijah starting school, but his big sis Lili started Kindergarten this year, and I have a feeling her friends will have lots of questions. I have talked with her teacher about doing a lesson on differences.
Shannon, I’ve learned from experience that it’s super useful to use older siblings and their friends as a great way to practice lessons about differences and learning different ways to communicate based on your audience’s age.
SO cute!!! The book is a great idea. And I love her thoughts on making friends.
Jordan’s video is fantastic! Addie, my daughter (prosthetic due to fibular hemimelia) watched it intently. It was a great way for me to introduce what bullying is b/c I’ve been unsure how to talk about it with her – she starts kindergarten next week and we are meeting her teacher tomorrow. I think I’ll make a book to! Love the idea – that way I don’t have to go in and draw more attention. Plus, the other kindergartens can see the book too.
[…] you are looking for additional posts we’ve written about the school year: Sharing support for the new school year (Jordan’s pep talk) Preparing for a 504 plan Talking to Kindergarten parents #dd_ajax_float{ […]
[…] just like him and doing lots of other activities. I remembered that there was a post from Jordan at Born Just Right about her advice for kids like her going to school. So we watched the video and read her books that […]