The Rise School of Austin.

Every parent that has a child with disabilities, whether physical or intelectual, goes through different things and emotions.

But there is one feeling we all have in common : Loneliness.

At the beginning, when your child gets diagnosed, you get many calls, texts and visits. But as time goes by, all that disappears, as if what you are going through just goes away and it’s not a constant struggle.

Even when you know other moms with kids with disabilities, everyone’s schedule is crazy, so you don’t see each other frequently. Your friends who would invite you to playdates or the park stop calling because 99% of the time you tell them you can’t go, because you have to see so many specialists + therapies. But it still hurts.

Doctors (at least in Eliana’s case) don’t seem to know much and it’s more like a guessing game.

So it’s impossible not to feel lonely.

That’s why I want to write about the Rise School of Austin.

I would like to start by saying that I think their logo (the sun) is PERFECT, because that’s what Rise feels to me, like the warmth and happiness the sun brings.

In the mist of sadness and loneliness we found this AMAZING school that has given us so much.

As parents it has taken away that feeling of being lonely because they really care. They care about Eliana, about her development, about her feelings and about us.

A couple of weeks ago we had a meeting with Eliana’s lead teacher and her PT, OT, ST and Music Therapist (from school) and we talked about her and about her goals. To have such an amazing group of professionals working with us just made my heart SO HAPPY. They were so genuine in their interest to help Eliana achieve her biggest potential.

That same morning I had received her latest OT evaluation and I was given a piece of paper with an enormous list of things Eliana couldn’t do. It’s pretty hard to read those. When I arrived to Rise I had to stay in the car for a little bit and catch my breath because I was just feeling very sad.

But when I walked into the Rise meeting it was such a different experience. Her evaluations said all the things SHE COULD DO and instead of writing down the things she couldn’t do they wrote: “ELIANA IS READY TO.” It made a big difference. Words are powerful and this wonderful group of people know that. They take care of every single detail to make you feel cared for .

Everyone is so nice. I adore all of my girls’ teachers, therapists, the directors, and Kori on the front desk. They are just such wonderful people and I know they really care, and they are trying to change the way we see disability.

Eliana is in amazing hands, and I feel so blessed that we found out about this school through her developmental pediatrician. She LOVES going to Rise. She’s made amazing friends and her development has bloomed so much thanks to all the efforts her teachers and therapists make.

But not only has this school been amazing for us as parents and for Eliana. Anabella’s life has been enriched so much from it too. I love how she cares about all of her friends. I love that she is not even one and a half and she already has a sense of empathy and such a kind heart. But most of all, I LOVE that she doesn’t see her friends differently. To her all of them are fun to be around. She won’t have to change her mind about disability because she doesn’t see it. She just sees wonderful kids her same age playing with her. And that’s such a beautiful gift.

Another thing I love about this school is how I see parents every day, some of them with kids that develop typically and some with kids with disabilities, and the way we look at each other. Not with pity — for me it’s the worst kind of look — but with a “you’ve got this!” look. Without saying anything, we say, “I know it’s hard but we are in this together.” It’s such a beautiful experience. I’ve had the chance to talk to some of the moms and I cannot explain how wonderful they are. I love absolutely everything this school has given us as a family.

Rise School is not a school for special needs children, it’s a school for EVERY KID and that’s a big difference. It’s a school where everyone’s lives will be enriched, were every child shines regardless of their abilities.

I don’t think my words do enough justice to the school.  So here is a video of a family I adore and goes to Rise:

 

If you would like to make a donation to this amazing school you can click here.

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