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Anne, who we have affectionately started calling Anna, is struggling with all the people visiting her. We have a very loving neighborhood, to a fault almost, and it was very difficult for me to convince them that they couldn't come over to see her. When some did anyway, Anna was very spooked and cried in her bed for the rest of the day. I home schooled her for a while, teaching her more English with the help of my French studies all through school. She is now going to a special-ed first grade class and is responding well to that. I think that for third grade I will be able to put her in public school. We did not set her up with a therapist, because she was so petrified of the doctor! As for our relationship, she was deathly afraid of me for the first few weeks, but now we get along pretty well. She gets really emotionally overwhelmed and has severe tantrums, but who can blame her? Overall she's beating the odds.

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Sofia is doing well too. It was helpful to have her here with Anna so she wasn't alone in a world of adults. We also had to convince our neighbors to leave her alone, though when the few obstinate friends showed up, she wasn't as traumatized. Now, 6 months later, she is very happy and popular with her voice generator, wheelchair, and hearing aids. She will be starting kindergarten next year and is very excited! I was consistently amazed by her mental capacity while teaching her English. When people see her, they think she will be mentally handicapped, but they are astounded when they actually meet her. I am considering getting her a parakeet soon – I think she would love it and it would be a great pet for her. Sofia loves the idea. She is a very positive influence in Anna's life and mine.

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This is the best picture Anna would let us take. :) (Sorry it's so big!)
This is Sofia without her wheelchair.

This message was edited 1/23/2007, 6:00 PM