Friday Wrap-Up

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There was a comment on my Now Serving #247 post Monday that I wanted to address here as I think it's a pretty common position.

bicyclesandblotts wrote...

"I also raise money every year for the san francisco aids foundation last year i raised $2,500. In your post you mention being a good christian last year at a aids foundation charity bike ride a group of christians bussed in to protest SFAF for supporting homosexuality and handed out leaflets explaining aids was gods punishment so I don't take much stock in " good christians " and charity work. I think you should volunteer to support your community not out of fear of god."

First, my reference to "good Christian folk" in that post was written a bit tongue in cheek. I am well aware that there are many people who call themselves Christians who practice a level of "hate" I've never seen encouraged in the Bible. That hypocrisy is something that had kept me away from God in the past ... until I realized my problem wasn't with God, but with people.

Second, I really don't care why people volunteer/serve their community. I don't think it matters if you are doing it out of a fear of God, due to peer pressure, or because you are trying to "right" a "wrong." The motivation in this case isn't important - the fact that one is making the community a better place is.

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Tuesday evening was spent with the neuropsych who will be evaluating Cam over the next month or so. After sharing extensive background and developmental information with her, she concluded that extensive testing/evaluation is warranted. This wasn't a surprise.

As a side note, I don't remember if I've shared with all of you that the school is recommending Cam be "warehoused" (my word) in the district's Emotional/Behavioral Disorder Program. They have decided that Cam's issues are not related to his disability, but rather are environmental, absolving the teaching staff of any accountability.

Prior to the appointment with the neuropsych, I informed the school that I would not consider any alternate placement for Cam until I was clear on what his needs are (actually, I am quite clear on that but need professional documentation to back that up). The neuropsych validated my position with the school recommending that I, under no circumstances, agree to any alternative placement for Cam until she completes the testing/assessment.

If nothing else, I've bought myself (and Cam) some time. Although I believe an alternate placement might be beneficial to Cam, the one they are suggesting, and coincidentally the only alternate placement available within the district, isn't a good fit for a myriad of reasons.

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On the goodness-gracious-that-was-unexpected-good-news front, I received an email from the middle school youth pastor on Wednesday informing me that someone within the church wanted to insure Cam was able to attend church camp this summer and paid - in full - for his registration fees and canteen money (a $400 gift).

Cam attended church camp last summer but I wasn't sure I was going to be able to swing it this year. I submitted an application for a scholarship (limited to $100) and was considering selling a kidney what I could cut from the budget so that I would be able to save the $300 needed by June 26th.

I was so grateful for this news and only wish that I could thank the giver personally, but understand their desire to remain anonymous.

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This week's Dana Does Digital pics were ... well ... not spectacular, but that won't keep me from a little self-promotion sharing my two "favorite" with you!

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