Levels of Pain

 When the doctor asks you for your pain level 1-10, make sure you have descriptive language to go along with that.  Make sure your doctor knows how your pain level actually impacts your life.  

I have suffered from Chronic Migraines since the age of 2.  At certain times in my life I'd actually lived more days with migraines then without.  So I've established a pain level system that allows me to communicate my pain and needs to those that I work with. 

0- no pain-I'd really love to know what it's like to be totally pain free.  Even on the days I don't have migraines I live with other chronic issues that make this feel impossible.  

This is my pain scale for Migraines

1-3 This is dull obnoxious pain- usually the tail end of my migraines. No light or sound sensitivity just the feeling that today is going to suck because 100% of my focus isn't something I can give here.  Here I take Ibuprofen and if possible take a nap.  

4-6 Light and/or sound sensitivity joins the party, may involve an aura. Thankfully even when I worked in person most of my classes were totally fine with "lights off" and "Quiet classroom" days. At this point I take my fast acting pain relief of choice. Dark room and sleep if possible, if not I can finish out my day, but it will be lights off and quiet.  Cool patches are especially helpful if I cannot sleep it off, they really help me get to the end of the work day or activity. 

7-9 Light and sound sensitive, cannot work- if at work I will take the rest of the day off. Other bodily impacts involved: likely involves an aura,  intestinal/digestive issues, increases in physical tics, fully body spasms or partial paralysis,  inability to open or close my eyes without extreme pain (worst thing ever, migraine really want to sleep cannot close my eyes). I must take medication. I must have ice or at least a cooling patch and I must sleep in a dark room.   Weighted blanket also really helps the rest of my body shut off so I can focus on healing my head. Mine is 25 pounds because I really benefit from increased pressure not only for migraines but also anxiety. Most adults use 12-15 pound blankets.  [My dream is to have a bedroom that has black walls and black out curtains so I can have a safe sleep space.]

10- All the worst of 7-9 time to go to the hospital.  Which typically sucks as they are loud, bright spaces. Bring earplugs or headphones, bring an eye mask, bring something that keeps you calm- stuffed animals work great. Make sure to be able to explain to the doctor (or have it written down) why your 10 is really a 10.  Your doctor cannot see your migraine the way he can see someone's broken arm, the ability to explain the pain is important. 

Again this is my own personal pain level list.  What is a 4 to me may be a 9 to you and what sends me to the hospital may only be a 7 for someone else. Pain scales are so subjective so give yours language, especially if like me, you talk about pain with your doctor often. 

Signing off for now

-C

Moving

Moving is never something I've been good at...which is disappointing considering how many times I've done it.  Seriously in the last 14 years since graduating high school I have moved 13 times, this is move 14 in just as many years (and I've lived in this apartment for 3 years). 

It's always been a stressful process, usually rushed and rarely with any help. The few times I've had help, I never found it helpful in the moment.  (looking back it was helpful). This time I promised myself it would be different.  This time I wouldn't put anything off. I'd do a little a day til its done. 

Here are some things that have helped thus far.

1. J has been super supportive.  He keeps me motivated and celebrates my successes with me. He doesn't get down on me if I'm not doing as much as him. 

2. I have a week day goal and a weekend goal.  - Not only do I work full time. It's a freaking pandemic and my mental health still needs to come first.  This means I cannot do as much M-F as I can on the weekend.  So the goal is 1 box a day M-F and 3 boxes a day on weekends.  If I do more awesome, if I only finish my 1 box that's totally okay because J knows he will probably have to pick up the rest. 

3. Doing it in a way that makes sense to me, even if it doesn't make sense to anyone else.  I know a lot of people have the philosophy of finish one space before moving on to the next, but I cannot work that way. I will finish my 1 box in one space and then move to a totally different space for the next box.  Today I packed my remaining books, desk supplies and all of my sheet music- yes if fills a whole box. Then I moved into my closet and dresser and packed up all the quirky odds and ends, photos, American Girl Dolls (yep and I even use them to teach this year), and knick knacks, then I finished off the day with my 2 sentimental boxes (the things you'd grab in a fire type possessions) and bagging up the clothes in the closet. I couldn't stay in the same room or space for more than an hour so I went back and forth between the two until I was done. It's what worked for me. 

4. There has to be music, for cleaning and packing I personally really like what can best be defined as the club music of my early 20s. 

5. Take breaks. I am sure I could have done more if I'd worked straight through today. But I would also be exhausted and to burnt out for the task tomorrow of actually starting to move stuff in, and we cannot have that.  So I'd rather take my time, use the fact we have until the end of March to be out of our old place and pack and move at my pace.  

6. Get movers for the majority of the boxes and the BIG STUFF.  We have 2 beds, 2 motorized desks, 4 desk chairs (it's been a rough year), a dresser, a piano, 2 shelves, 2 nightstand, and 20 + boxes of housewares. There are certain things I don't trust movers with that we we take over ourselves, but all the big things move over a week from today. 

This is easily the least stressful move I've done.  It's still a pandemic, we are still on our own for most of the process, but I feel much better about my ability to move again some time in the hopefully very distant future.  I'm really excited about this home and the opportunities it provides J an I to have our family and friends visit. We hope this works out for a long time to come. 

Signing off for now

-C

With the goal of becoming obsolete

 My goal as a special education teacher is to become obsolete. 

That probably sounds strange to most people; why would I want to be out of a job?  

I want an educational system that serves all students in general education with differentiation for ALL students, not "just" those for whom it's required by law.  

My goal is to create, engage and develop students with self-awareness and strong self-advocacy.  Students who are aware of their disability and the impact it has on their education. Students who are able to advocate for themselves and their needs to their peers, their teachers and their community. 

My goal is to teach the people I work with that what they consider a "bad behavior" is an action in response to a situation.  All behavior is communication, and if you learn what is being communicated you can find a more common ground.  Let me be clear here, fidgeting, stimming, pacing, verbal and physical ticks are NOT negative behaviors unless a student is causing harm to themselves or another. To limit stimming behaviors in autistic students and students with ADD/HD can do more harm than good.  Students asking for a break is a behavior we should be encouraging not limiting.  Having students who know when they are overwhelmed, overloaded or over stimulated is a GOOD coping skill and should be praised. 

My goal is to maximize inclusion.  My goal every year is to re-evaluate if the student could be successful in the general education or co-taught setting BEFORE assuming they will continue in special education classes. My goal is to increase the number of co-taught classes we offer.  My goal is to help students develop skills so that they don't need as much adult support in the classroom.  Adult support that for nearly every student I work with will disappear as soon as they graduate, so we need to start to fade it now.

My goal is to educate families on the difference between an IEP and 504 Plan If I've done my job well and the student is no longer in special education classes and is advocating for themselves and their needs, we need to have an honest discussion on if an IEP is still needed or if the child could get their educational needs met through a 504 plan. [Click the link to learn the difference for yourself]. 

My goal is to put myself out of a job; or at least out of my job the way it looks now.  

Well it's late and I teach in a few hours so good night

-C