POST OF DOOM... (recs, updates on Mab's life, fest pimp, baby picture, fandom love) all mixed in.

[mab]

Hello LJ, long time no post.


My kids have been keeping me busy. I feel like a taxi driver. They've started at a new school this year, a private school that specializes in children with 'learning differences'. It's like a whole new wonderful world to see my kids excelling in school for once in their lives, now that the public education box they've been not fitting in is gone.

For those who don't know, my older two children Gwen (13) and Morgan (11) are trauma survivors. Their birth father hanged himself while they were alone with him at ages 2 and 4. They were alone with his body for up to 12 hours before they were rescued.


Morgan has high functioning autism. He's very high-functioning and I'm so happy we were able to get him involved in special services from a very young age, but the way the school system works around here, if you need extra assistance or can't keep pace with the majority, the teachers simply don't have time to slow down and help you and you slip further and further through the cracks, until you feel you might as well not even bother trying. GRRRRR…
Gwen has ADHD which manifest differently in her than in the classic "type" you think when you hear the term. Her mind just gets overloaded by distractions, that it's easier to pretend to be invisible than to speak up and ask for help.

Mark and I had a talk about the education dilemma and realized that what we needed to do was invest in their needs NOW, so they'll make it to college age, rather than saving for college. Thankfully we are both blessed with family who is generous and gung-ho about education and we are not suffering financially. It makes me so very ill to think of all the people with children like ours who don't have our resources and that their kids do fall through the cracks. What the fuck is wrong with this world?
/rant….

so yes.. driving half an hour each way to drop kids off at school (sometimes more than once a day because of appointments) has been sucking my energy. Then we have a 2-year-old… (nuff said?)




I have been busy in fandom with alpha reading for more people than I can list and I have to tell you, it's my favorite part of fandom. Like, really. I adore watching the creative processes of other writers and helping feed the fire of fandom feels by cheering them on and pointing out all the areas I love. The biggest boost for me is when I see them have an "aha! I've jumped to the next level of writing" moment! It is THE BEST!

jad has recruited me to watch the new Star Trek movies so I can cheer her on in a monster of a fic she's writing for that fandom. I now understand the Benedict Cumberbatch obsession I've seen happening to so many of my f-listers. I am now a Khock (Khan/Spock) shipper (at least in my pants. I doubt I'll ever write fic for the fandom) As a thank you she drew me a lovely bit of Khock love. So please check it out on tumblr and reblog, comment, or like it because it's gorgeous. Khock Sketch

If you're just here for the recs, here they are! Three lovely pieces from the exchange that just wrapped up at hd_tropes. I'm still not finished reading everything there, but I have adored what I've read so far.



Author: writcraft
Title: Sundowning
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco
Rating: NC-17
Contains: Angst, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
Summary: Draco has been forgetting things lately and when Harry insists that he see a Healer, the couple are given news which will test their relationship and threaten all that they hold dear.
Word Count: 8300
Why I loved it: This fic is brilliant and sad. But don't let that stop you from reading, it's not a tragic sadness, more a mature slow loss type. Even though you know it's only going to get worse after the fic ends, you also are left with the sense that no matter how much they lose, they'll always love each other, and that's sort of a magic in and of itself.


Author/Artist: nobunakira
Title: I am My Boyfriend
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco
Rating: R
Contains: body swap trope, white!blaise,
Summary: Harry and Draco are in a bit of a predicament, they keep swapping bodies when they, ahem… fuck. Explaining what's happening to their friends is rather awkward, and they rather fail at trying to stop it happening.
Word Count: Doujinshi style comic
Why I loved it: This comic is beautifully illustrated and so lovely and fluffy, with snark and banter, hotness, and love. It's great if you're in the mood for a light bit of feel good reading. Give it a look, and leave love for the artist!


Author: kedavranox
Title: What's New, Buenos Aires?
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco
Rating: NC-17
Contains: public sex
Summary: Draco and Harry are in the Portkey business! Hijinks ensue, Draco has a few panic attacks, Harry is seriously fit, and somehow they're stranded in Argentina.
Word Count: 9300
Why I loved it: Draco works so hard to prove himself worthy of Harry, but is in complete denial that that is what he's doing. Jealous!Draco, and Protective!Built!Harry make a formidable team working together amidst a cloud of sexual tension. You need to read it because it features Draco being forced to take a Muggle airplane for the first time in his life! I won't say more so I don't spoil the plot, but it's definitely a fun and flangsty read!

These recs are crossposted to my tumblr rec blog mabs-recs Be sure to follow me if you don't already. I'm up to 219 followers! I love you guys!



and last of all…I'm way too excited!

Comments

[blossomdreams.livejournal.com]

Very nice to know that your kids are getting the help they need. ^_^ I'm in education and learning about it and all the crap they do sometimes makes me want to switch majors, but I do want to teach so that goes away. Still, it's good to know they're getting help. ^_^

I love Benedict Cumberbatch and his voice. *swoons*

Busy Mab is busy!

The fics all look very nice. :)

[mab.livejournal.com]

I wish you all the best in teaching. I'm optimistically hoping for some major drastic changes sometime in my lifetime.

And yesssssss.... Cumberbatch.... unf

[birdsofshore]

It's good to see you, mab!

I'm glad you've found a school that suits your children. We educate our boys at home and we know a lot of families with children where mainstream education simply hasn't worked for them, and as you say, there are many more who don't have the resources / confidence to do anything differently, and the children just go on struggling or failing. It's really depressing to think about.

[mab.livejournal.com]

I stand in awe of those who can homeschool. I don't have the patience or the organizational skill to even think about attempting it.

The best thing about this year's school so far though is the teacher/parent communication. First time in his life where Morgan has STARTED out having his teachers like him and recognize his talents. In the past he's always ended up charming his teachers with his unique personality, but they always saw his IEP and gave him a bit of a stink eye at first.

[birdsofshore]

Ahaha, you don't need to be in awe of me. I don't have those skills either. But I don't have a huge amount of choice - my eldest would really struggle in mainstream school I think.

Really glad to hear this year is like a fresh start for Morgan.

[melusinahp.livejournal.com]

I give you the high-five of the special needs kid mama. My daughter has Aspergers and my son is severely autistic. I'm glad you are getting so much help for them and I can imagine how wonderful it is to have family nearby who can also chip in. ♥ Also, little Slytherin is adorable.

[mab.livejournal.com]

*high fives back*

[traintracks.livejournal.com]

May I jump in here? My daughter is autistic and nonverbal, too. <3

[melusinahp.livejournal.com]

It's amazing how many of us there are in fandom. ♥

[traintracks.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I used to list in my 'squicks' and 'deal-breakers' at fests the use of the r-word, but now it just seems like there are so many of us that people really get that already, you know?

<3

[lordhellebore]

Mark and I had a talk about the education dilemma and realized that what we needed to do was invest in their needs NOW, so they'll make it to college age, rather than saving for college.

Very true. If they are college-aged and the money is there, but they're not ready to go, that's not helping anybody. But if they're ready when the time comes, there can be ways found to make it happen:

It's good to hear they're doing well at school, and I bet it's helping their self-esteem too, noticing they're good. Always being the odd one out and on top of that not doing well is putting so much pressure on a kid that age.

♥

[mab.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, big time. They are such great kids. I like to see them excited about learning again.

[notearchiver.livejournal.com]

It's wonderful that you're able to give your children the education they need to excel in the world. It sounds like they're very happy with their new situation.

My children never got the attention they needed in school, and so they abhorred it. They always excelled--but it was mostly because it was a distraction technique for them. Knowing that they're finally enjoying school now that they're in college makes me feel so happy. I imagine that's rather like the feeling you have.

And adorable two year old! I tend to stay away from small children, but pictures are great. :)

And now you've reminded me that I need to do a life update post.

[mab.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad your kids are finding happiness and fun with learning.

This year my big project is finding a good fit for highschool for next year, and a preschool for the wee one. *headdesk* At least I don't have to do that while also dealing with suffering this year.

I look forward to reading your update.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Hee! He looks so proud of himself!

[mab.livejournal.com]

He's a really happy kid.