Heart for those with Special Needs

We are SO blessed by a wonderful woman named Ann King or "Ms.King" to Tyler. She is really incredible. Ms. King is Tyler's Special Education teacher and the person that works with him approximately 60% of his day at school. She began working with Tyler two years ago when he was in first grade and continues to do an GREAT job!

To fully understand the impact that she has made on Tyler - you really have to know a little of Tyler's history. Tyler was born with some pretty major health issues, had trouble gaining weight, was constantly sick and was even thought to have had cystic fibrosis - he had all the symptoms and specialists were sure that was the case. We believe that he did have it and through the prayers of God's people he was healed! Anyway - as a toddler and preschooler Tyler had some major behavior issues that we now know were attributed to hearing loss and being in his own world but at the time we didn't know why. In preschool, Tyler would literally become so irritable and mad that he could tear apart a classroom - bookshelves over, tables thrown, toys everywhere, etc. At age 4 he was FINALLY diagnosed with Moderate to Severe hearing loss and we were able to begin helping him with hearing aids and different learning styles.

However, when you have gone through 4 years of living in your own world and learning how to deal on your own in a sense - it takes a lot to break those habits; not to mention the fact that he then had to learn sounds, words, etc. When we moved to Bayfield Tyler was just starting Kindergarten and it was ROUGH! Now not only were we in an unfamiliar town and home but he had two teachers (they team taught) that had not had a child with hearing loss in their class. We laugh because Tyler was actually suspended for a day in Kindergarten for biting the teacher - I mean hello!!!

So - this is the child that Ms. King received 2 years ago. A child that would decide he didn't want to work and either tear up a classroom or crawl under a desk or maybe just attempt to leave the room all together. It wasn't always easy, he wasn't an easy kid to like much less work with at times....yet Ms. King saw through that and saw what Tyler COULD be. She learned to speak his "language" and show him that she wouldn't tolerate his behavior.

Today - he is a TOTALLY different kid! He works hard and LOVES school. He still has times where he gets mad or frusterated but she has taught him to take "personal time-outs" and regroup. He went from not wanting to do anything with a pencil and paper to now reading, writing, doing math, telling time, etc. Many had told us that the only way Tyler would ever "settle down" and learn would be through medication - to this day Tyler has not had one ounce of medicine for behavior alteration!

I know that Ms. King isn't "Super Woman" (although she's pretty close) but I can tell you this - she loves these kids with special needs and she has a heart to see them succeed! She isn't all work either - she plans fun things like skiing, bowling, track and field days, etc where they can have fun. In a school district that is tight on funds, she applies for grants and discounts for these kids!!!

Yesterday was Special Olympic bowling and my heart melted to not only see Tyler laughing and having fun but to see ALL these precious faces truly enjoying themselves and succeeding!!! I must say that I am so thankful to the Lord for placing Ms. King in our lives!!!