Contributed by Anne Fricke, mom to Freya, living with PWS
Freyaโs 6th grade class started the year studying volcanoes. Part of the learning experience was to travel to Lassen Volcanic National Park for a 5-day camping trip with arduous hikes and days full of activity. To say I had concerns is an understatement, but she was determined, and I would be with her the whole way.
The first hike of our trip was to the top of Mount Lassen, a 10,457-foot volcano. The hike was a 2 1/2 mile switchback to the top with about a 2,000-foot elevation gain.
Freya and I walked mostly on our own. We would catch up with a different crew at times, surpassing them and being surpassed, but most of the class made it to the top within an hour and a half. We took necessary breaks, where I pushed water and encouraged her to wait for a few more switchbacks before having another snack. We reminded each other to breathe through our noses and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Two and a half hours after stepping onto the trail, Freya walked up to the summit to the cheers and hugs of her classmates! If I hadnโt been so exhausted, I would have cried. We checked out the view, ate lunch, and hung out with her class atop a volcano. That was Tuesday.
Wednesday, we took another couple-mile hike into the geothermal area of the park. Thursday, Freya climbed up and down into a 700-foot volcano called Cinder Cone. The path is like walking on sandโฆtwo steps forward, slide one step back. She went up without me, supported by the other chaperones, while I sat back with the few students too tired to climb this one. Friday, we hiked through the tunnels of Shasta Caverns. Iโm only listing the main hikes we did. There were several smaller side hikes to various places, all of which Freya participated in.
Back at school, the principal stopped me in the hallway to share her excitement for Freyaโs achievement. She asked how Freya had reacted when she reached the top of the volcano. I had an inspiring realization as I told her about Freyaโs reaction. Freya was thrilled and excited to make it up Mount Lassen. But she wasnโt surprised. She had never doubted that she would make it to the top.
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Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on variousย aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education.ย He writes a regular column for NAESPโsย Principalย magazine and NASPโsย Communiquรฉย newsletter, and he did so previously forย Phi Delta Kappanย andย Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Childrenโs Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated fromย Duquesne University receiving her Bachelorโs and Masterโs degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Programย (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Childrenโs Hospital in Denverย supporting families and school districts around the United Statesย with their childโs Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.