Allison was in her second year of medical school and sitting fairly bored in her abnormal neurology class.
"Are we boring you Ms Blouin," the professor asked.
Allison sat up straighter, "sorry sir. I've known this information since I was 18. This is an overview of cerebral palsy. But you're not addressing the social or emotional aspects. You've spoken about the physical and academic but what about the mental health aspect? The child who at 5 years old gets teased in kindergarten for needing braces on her legs to walk and using a crutches or walker for mobility or wheel chair when she's tired? Who has come home crying from school every day for the last month because she can't do what the other kids do and feels left out."
"You know this how," the professor asked.
"My 5 year old daughter has cerebral palsy," Allison said, "I live this, with her every day. I have for the last 5 years. She turns 6 in May. Everly has hemispheric spastic cerebal palsy affecting her legs as a result of a lack of oxygen at birth. The cord was around her neck. She also has hydrocephalus and her first shunt was placed at 5 months old. Were part of the research study group at Grey Sloan with Dr Silverstone, Dr Avery, Dr Hayes and Dr Lincon. We have been for 5 years."
"Can you help us understand from your experience," the professor said, "I've seen it as the Dr and diagnosed it many times but you live it as a parent. And you have a 5 year old? How did you get connected with the Fox foundation?"
"The other thing people should know about me is that my husband and I had Everly our senior year of highschool," Allison said, "my parents are both surgeons and helped us figure it out and connect us with the Fox foundation. Do you know how hard it is to hold your one year old still while your sister's best friend injects medication to release stiff muscles."
"You let your sister's best friend do it," someone called out.
"Dr Jenna Silverstone is my older sister's best friend, they've been friends since residency," Allison replied, "it was Jenna that dealt with my first allergic reaction when Grace flipped out. They were residents at Grey Sloan then"
"Grace," another person said, "at Grey Sloan, Grace Altman? You know her?"
Allison said, "Grace is my big sister. My parents are Teddy Altman and Owen Hunt. I'm going to be a surgeon."
"What," a few people gasped around the room.
"Ms Blouin tell the class about your experience with your daughter," the professor prompted.
Allison told the class about Everly and the journey her daughter had been on.
Later after class a guy approached her, "you want to get drinks later?"
"I'm going home to make dinner and take my daughter to swimming lessons," Allison said, "swimming is the one active thing Everly does like any other kid."
"Tomorrow," the guy asked.
"Did you miss that I'm married," Allison asked, "Asher and I have been together since we were in highschool."
"Blouin you said your parents are Altman and Hunt," the guy said.
"I'm married," Allison said, "I took Asher's name. I grew up as Altman-Hunt and we wanted one last name for our family and our daughter"
"Tease," the guy sneered.
"I've always been open that I'm married," Allison said, "ash and I have been together since we were 17."
"How married," the guy asked.
"Very happily," Allison said, "Kanta I'm married. I'm not interested."
"What does he have that I don't," Kanta pressed.
"A heart," Allison replied, "work ethic, compassion."
"What does he do," Kanta asked.
"Industrial electrical " Allison replied, "works harder than we do every day."
"Trades," Kanta sneered.
"You have no idea," Allison snapped, "you're privileged."
"Your not your parents are surgeons," Kanta said, "your sister is the biggest name in peds cardio around."
"I know who my parents and sister are," Allison replied, "but I also had my daughter 4 months after I turned 18. My husband and I have supported our family since we were 18."
"How did you get knocked up in high school," Kanta taunted.
"Thinking we were the exception to the rule," Allison said, "underage drinking."
At the end of her school day Allison rushed to get Everly from Kindergarten.
Allison picked a very dejected Everly up from school the week before Thanksgiving. They had all been slowly recentering themselves after Evelyn's death a month before.
"What's wrong princess," Allison asked as Everly came out the door using her walker.
"I can't play house," Everly whined.
"Why," Allison asked.
"Only kids who can walk right can play," Everly said, staring at her shoes.
"Princess, tell me what happened," Allison said, kneeling in front of her daughter.
"Maya said I wasn't allowed to play," Everly said.
"Did she say why," Allison asked.
"My walker," Everly said, "I hate it."
"You could have used your crutches," Allison suggested.
"No," Everly said, "they don't have my basket. I wanted my basket to play house so I could carry the dolls too."
"Your basket is a great idea," Allison said, "that was good thinking."
"Mrs Blouin," Everly's teacher called.
"Ms Vleeming," Allison replied.
The teacher walked towards them, "do you want to come in and we can chat?"
"We will come in," Allison replied, "this isn't the first time Everly has been excluded."
"I'm aware," Ms Vleeming said.
"What are you doing about it," Allison asked.
"The children are 5," Ms Vleeming said, "we are teaching about diversity and acceptance. I'm looking for picture books about children who use mobility aids."
"That doesn't stop Everly from being excluded," Allison replied, "it doesn't stop her from coming home from school crying in kindergarten. This is her first real year of school and she comes home crying every day. She has for the last three weeks. This has to change."
"It does," Ms Vleeming agreed.
"So what are you doing," Allison asked.
"I've spoken to the other children involved and redirected their play," Ms Vleeming asked, "I've reiterated the classroom rule that everyone is included."
"It's not enough," Allison replied, "we need to see changes. If changes don't happen I will be going to Ms Whitman. I will not have my daughter coming home from school in tears everyday because of something she can not control. It's not like Everly picks her nose or sucks on her hair. This is not a behaviour we can work on with her. She is getting physiotherapy and has OT consults. Her team from the hospital joined her IEP meeting. This is not upholding her IEP, if the house centre isn't accessible in her walker and looking at it right now it's not your classroom is not accessible."
"She can do it on her crutches," Ms Vleeming said.
"It has to be accessible in her walker or wheelchair," Allison reiterated, "she is really good about choosing what she needs and when. Today she wanted her walker so she could carry the doll in her basket."
"She's not the only child," Ms Vleeming said.
"Her being able to move safely is a serious concern," Allison replied, "her IEP said the room would be set up for her to move safely and participate in all classroom activities. She already sits out half of the PE lessons and my husband and I don't make a fuss but this is not okay."
"You pick her up once a week," Ms Vleeming said, "we see her grandmother more."
"And my mom says the same thing," Allison said, "we're asking that the room be safe for Everly to move. If we can make it possible in a basement suite you can do it in the classroom. I'm seeing tripping hazards on the floor, passageways that are too narrow. Where does she sit on the carpet? I don't see her floor seat."
"I put it away when it's not circle time to keep it safe," Ms Vleeming said.
"But it limits her ability to play with classmates on the floor," Allison explained, "she needs all of her equipment available to be able to fully participate in school."
"If it gets damaged," Ms Vleeming asked.
"We repair or replace it," Allison replied, "the equipment she brought to school is given to her by the Fox Foundation, that's her personal equipment not the schools. It needs to be available at all times."
"The other children," Ms Vleeming asked.
"Everly loves to share with her friends," Allison replied, "and teach the others why Everly has the equipment and that it's for her to be able to play and learn. Teach others to be gentle with the equipment."
"I'd like to talk to the school based team about this," Ms Vleeming said.
"Bullying is not acceptable," Allison replied, "the next time she comes home crying because she hasn't been allowed to play I will be contacting Ms Whitman."
"She can pick things that are accessible to her," Ms Vleeming said.
"No," Allison replied, "she shouldn't be limited in her access to education by her CP. I would understand if she behaved inappropriately but from what you've said and what Ms H says she's not."
"Maybe if you were here more to pick her up or drop her off," Ms Vleeming suggested.
"After Christmas I will be picking up twice a week," Allison replied, "I have to base it off my class schedule."
"What are you studying," Ms Vleeming asked.
"I'm in med school," Allison replied, "my second year. Ev doesn't know me not being in school."
"And Everly," Ms Vleeming asked.
"She knows mommy goes to school and daddy goes to work," Allison said, "my husband is an electrician. I don't usually study or do homework when she's awake and we're all home. My study time is after she goes to bed. When she is awake she is our priority she always has been."
"What time is bedtime," Ms Vleeming asked.
"7:45 or 8," Allison said, "it depends how long our story goes. We're reading the Wizard of Oz. She's in bed at 7:30 and we read to her until the chapter is done."
"Her bedtime routine," Ms Vleeming asked.
"Physio, bath or shower, glass of milk, run up and say good night to grandma and grandpa, brush teeth and story in bed," Allison replied.
"Grandma and grandpa," Ms Vleeming asked.
"My parents live upstairs, we're in their basement suite," Allison explained, "my mom picks up Monday and Tuesday and Ev goes to daycare Wednesday and Thursday afterschool. I take her to daycare in the morning."
"What time does she get up," Ms Vleeming asked.
"6:30," Allison said, "we're all up early. My husband works early most days so we get up around the same time. I get her up and help with dressing and her braces then she has breakfast and a few minutes to play a game and do morning physio with her dad. She has a very typical home life. We want that for her here as well. To be part of and included. I bring her to before school care for 8 and my classes start at 8:30 at UW. She's in before school care for 45 minutes in the morning, it's social and play time I don't feel bad about it."
"And is that always possible at home," Ms Vleeming asked.
"The only thing she doesn't do with our extended family is ski but neither does Asher and one of my cousin's wife so she hangs out with her dad and Auntie Nisha," Allison said, "she loves to tube and go boating. She's taking therapeutic riding lessons on Saturdays and 3 days a week of swimming lessons, she goes to music class twice a week. We just want to see her included and having friends. Here that means encouraging her to participate and setting up the environment so Everly is safe. This room is not arranged safely for Everly. How does she get to the sink? Can she get to the sensory table?"
"Ms Vleeming," Beth stepped into the room hearing Allison's questions.
"Hi Ms Whitman," Allison waved.
"Have we met," Beth asked.
"You were my middle school Vice Principal," Allison replied, "and my husbands."
"I see so many students what's your name," Beth asked.
"Allison Blouin now but I was Allison Altman-Hunt," Allison replied.
"Owen's daughter," Beth said.
"Yes," Allison replied, "and this is my daughter Everly."
"Blouin so," Beth asked.
"Asher Blouin," Allison replied, "we've been together for six and married just over a year. Everly is in kindergarten."
Beth quickly did the math, "you were young."
"We were," Allison agreed, "but maybe you can help us. Everly is having some accessibility problems in the classroom. Theres just not enough space between some things. She was told she couldn't play house today by other students because her walker is too big."
"Allison do you have time to come talk in my office," Beth asked.
"Can we schedule a phone call," Allison asked, "I have to get Everly to swimming lessons soon."
"I'll walk out with you," Beth replied, she knew this wasn't the first time the teacher had had issues with following an IEP.
"Lets set up a meeting next week," Allison said, "because Everly is coming home crying everyday. She's not being included, her adaptive equipment isn't available."
Allison grabbed Everly's back pack where she had dropped it and the crutches before calling Everly over.
"Email me," Beth said, "and say hi to your dad for me."
"I will," Allison replied.
When they left the room Beth turned to the teacher, "Allison Blouin is not one to mess with."
"She's what 21 with a 5 year old," Ms Vleeming said, "she's still in college."
"Do you know what she's studying," Beth asked.
"Medicine she said it's her second year," Ms Vleeming replied.
"That makes sense her parents are both surgeons at Grey Sloan," Beth replied, "I knew her dad years ago. Almost married him but Owen wasn't right. If you get them mad you will not want to deal with the consequences. Allison should be about 23 or 24. She will know exactly what Everly is entitled to for supports and they will be making sure she has all of them."
"She said Everly has physio weekly, swimming, riding and music," Ms Vleeming said, "I see the grandparents pick up a couple times a week. Her parents. I've only met Everly's dad for the IEP meeting."
"They're married," Beth said, "Allison is using Blouin when she was my student, she was Altman-Hunt. Bre this isn't the first time in the last 2 years I've spoken to you about adaptions and accommodations. The IEP is a legally binding document, Everly should have a 504 as well. She will need the adaptations made by Monday. Bre that little girl will have some very knowledgeable people in her corner. Allison is young and she's in Med School that doesn't mean she's not educated. Do you know what the dad does?"
"Electrician," Ms Vleeming replied.
"So they're young but they're not stupid," Beth said, "they'll have support. Owen, Allison's dad will fight for Everly and so with Teddy. They fought for their kids, they'll help fight for their granddaughter. You will not want to fight with that family. Bre if you keep this up violating 504 and IEPs I can't help you. You have to follow that document."
"Everly doesn't need it," Ms Vleeming said, 'she's my strongest reader, she's got great background knowledge, she can talk to other kids and adults."
"How's her math," Beth asked.
"She's strong," Ms Vleeming replied, "can pattern, great number sense to 100. She doesn't need the IEP."
"She does," Beth replied, "she's using mobility aids. If they push a formal complaint you will be investigated. You are already on an improvement plan, one more complaint and I can't help you. I'm going to go email Allison so if you can get her email for me that would be great."
In the car Everly whined all the way to swimming lessons.
"Why don't my legs work," Everly asked.
Allison took a deep breath, "you have cerebral palsy."
"I know," Everly pouted.
"It's a nerve and brain condition where the signals don't go from your brain to your legs properly," Allison replied.
"Why," Everly asked.
"We don't know," Allison replied, "thats something I want to learn as a doctor. To help kids like you."
"Can I go to Ms Younger's class," Everly asked.
"No princess, she teaches Pre-K and you're in kindergarten," Allison replied, "I'm going to go meet with Ms Whitman next week before I pick you up on Friday and I'll help figure it out. We'll work it out for you."
"I don't want to go to school," Everly pouted.
"I know it's hard right now," Allison said, "daddy and I are going to talk to your school to make it better."
"They don't want to play with me," Everly pouted.
"Why don't we have Talia over for a playdate soon," Allison asked.
"I want to play with Maya," Everly whined.
"I can talk to Maya's mom about them coming over," Allison agreed, "we're going to see Jonah and Taylor tomorrow."
"Really," Everly asked.
"Really," Allison said, "Ms Carmen wants to show all of us her new apartment so we're going there for lunch after riding."
"Can I play," Everly asked.
"Always," Allison said, "in an apartment theres no stairs."
"Really," Everly asked.
"Really," Allison said.
"I want to play at school," Everly said.
"I know," Allison said, "I'm sorry you're not having fun."
"Can Maya come play at our house," Everly asked.
"I can ask her parents," Allison agreed.
"Please mommy," Everly begged.
"I'll email her parents and invite them over," Allison agreed, "I can invite them but they decide weather they come or not. And we're at the pool. Are you walking or riding?"
"Carry me," Everly asked.
"You can walk or ride," Allison said, "I'll carry you on the pool deck but not in the parking lot."
"Walk on my own," Everly asked.
"You can holding my hand," Allison agreed.
"Okay," Everly agreed. Allison got out of the car and grabbed the swimming bag from the trunk before helping Everly out of the backseat.
"I'm going to swim laps for the first 45 minutes of your lesson then watch for the last 15 minutes," Allison told Everly as they got changed.
"Okay," Everly agreed.
They headed onto the pool deck with Everly on Allison's hip. She happily joined her favourite swimming instructor on the side of the pool.
"Mommy hug first," Everly said.
"Okay," Allison smiled, hugging Everly. She was afraid of the day Everly stopped wanting hugs when she was dropped off for daycare, school or sports. She knew the day would come soon but she would miss it.