Escalator Dangers

I heard another story about escalator entrapment again today. The child's green crocs were shredded about the toes, and the toes had multiple fractures. The child underwent surgery placing pins into the toes. Crocs, Wellington boots and other soft shoes such as flip flops are certainly a danger on escalators. As are shoelaces, loose clothing, long hair and children in general. There is apparently a danger of soft materials melting through contact with the side of the escalator. She shoe eventually sticks to the side of the escalator, causing the person to be dragged. Kids' fingers, hair and clothing can become trapped with disastrous consequences if the drop something on the escalator and try to pick it up. Entry and exit points are also treacherous.

The end-of-the-year scramble

Working hard to keep up with everything over here. I got the father's day gifts/cards together for the most part. But I still need to ask DH about FIL. And a nice wrapped gift is sitting there for my husband, so he can wonder about it all week, he he he.

Swimming is scheduled for the boys, and ds-9 started Jujitsu already. I called the horseback riding place and they will call me back to confirm his classes. We struggle so hard during the year with homework, I have to cram all his outside activities into the summer.

My daughter is taking a semester abroad from mid August to mid December in Rome. There is a UCLA extension-like program over there. I'm nervous to send her out of the country, but I just have to deal with it, ya know?

I sent out invitations for DS-4's 5th birthday party. He wants a bouncer party just like his brother.

It Worked!

The district lady called today and I got the IEE. She is sending all the paperwork to me now. She tried to talk me into agreeing to another team through the district, implying that it was six of one, half dozen of the other, but I didn't buy it. I told her how my husband is a doctor and does QME exams all the time for work comp patients, and how I thought that the IEE was the equivalent of a QME and how I felt it would help to have an independent evaluator. I also specified a couple of areas where the assessment team minimized negative test results. And even though my son might not need services at this time, having a better, more accurate diagnosis could help him in the long run as he goes higher in school and is expected to work more and more independently. She said she would be sending me a bunch of "legal paperwork", but that I would probably not find it difficult to deal with at all since I was familiar with the QME process.

YAY YAY YAY! Doing the Snoopy happy dance here. One more hurdle surmounted. Life happens one step and a time and this is all I can ask for at the moment.