"Plearn"

We are on the GO!  This morning has been a beautiful chance to begin to process all that I have learned. At the ISTE Conference, in Denver, this week I had the opportunity to be exposed to the most current technologies available in education.  I went to sessions, talked to educators from around the world, and soaked in so much.  One of my favorite presenters shared a new to me term: plearn- play, learn, plan.   That's a great summary of much of what I've learned in our first month of travels.  

Traveling with Liberty means I have to adapt- a lot.   Adapt how I think, do things, react, plan, and believe.   Adapt the surroundings, when possible.  Adapt the situation, when possible. Adapt expectations, which is generally the hardest. If I don't adapt I have a "stink face" that I end up wearing for awhile. 

 

We were able to go to a Colorado Rockies baseball game Tuesday evening.  We caught a city bus and then walked the rest of the way to the venue.  All is great- right?  I love to walk and we have Libby's KAM. We had Mariah and even Grandma Linda, Jasmin, and Xavier with us.  All is great!  

Well, it rained for over an hour. It hailed.  It poured.  

 

And then it poured some more...

 

The 6:40 start time was delayed until 9:20.  I didn't adapt.   I kind of panicked.   Everyone wanted to at least see some of the game.   I wanted to as well, but I also didn't know how we would get everyone back to the hotel-safely- if we stayed.  keep in mind I've got a Liberty in an adult stroller, downtown Denver, and it's night. 

I checked the bus schedule and it showed the busses stopped at 10:00. Eek!  Called three cab companies, none of which had wheel chair accessible vans or SUV's. Double Eek.  It was hard for me to think at all because there was no plan and it was only getting darker by the moment Communication with my people broke down.  Finally, I just gave up.   I felt beaten in some ways, but determined to keep my little group safe.  (Sorry for the stink face.)

Just when I think I have overcome my worries something new, like this evening, happens. 

In the end, I learned that I have to continually remind myself that I have to adapt.  I spend so much time planning to overcome the many obstacles to ensure that Libby gets what she needs, that I can't let myself forget to adapt.  

Plearn.   

We have left Denver and are going to enjoy a day, or two, of mini vacation in South Fork, Colorado.   We are trying out a cabin to see if we can keep Libby happy, safe, healthy, and comfortable.   If we can, then we will be planning some longer stays in the future.   

Liberty has the Baclofen Pump insertion surgery on July 6. More on that soon.