Violet, Most of what you post about sounds like stuff I would LOVE to participate and get into... but of course I live very far away. I'm SURE there's stuff going around in my neck of the woods, but am unsure of how find out information on it. Got any advice for me? I've searched on the web but am having trouble finding anything! Thanks for your help! Beth

That is great! I am so happy for you. I am helping my fiancee with an application for a graduate teaching program right now. I get the impression that the admissions people are really nice, from the conversations he has had with them and the application materials. He decided that this program was the only one worth applying for (and I agree with him, based on the alternatives), so I sure hope he gets in. I would love to hear your story. I think it is important, what you said, "it is most important for children to understand that their parents CARE about school and what their children are doing while they are there all day." Because there are a ton of children whose parents can't help them with their schoolwork, but just knowing that they care can be enough. Look at (and it is probably largely a stereotype, but also based on fact) the children of immigrants who can barely speak english, but their children do well because it is comunicated to them that school is important - not because their parents are necessarily able to give them constructive help with their homework. I just read the most incredible article, I wanted to link it but it is not available on the web, it is in Mother Jones magazine. It is about a 60's civil rights activist, Bob Moses, who has designed an innovative math program for junior high and high school. In the article he talks about the concept of "sharecropper education." The idea is that you can go to school and get an education, but it doesn't matter what you learn if you don't see people around you whose success is a result of education. So he has designed a program to help children who aren't exposed to educational success (and any other children whose teachers learn the program) get an understanding of advanced math, which is a solid way to get ahead because practically every person in the U.S. is pathetically clueless when it comes to math. I was amazed at the things that he said and the experiences he'd had registering black voters in Mississippi in the sixties. You should get the issue, I think any educator would be really excited about the program he has designed.

I personally don't know that much about the disease. Except that there are VERY effective treatments/cures available these days. I question, though, whether they're available to the general public. A very prominent dr. I know personally, recently had a young daughter (about a year and a half old) diagnosed with Leukemia. She was treated in a very prestigious hospital, and within a couple of weeks (literally no more than three) was pronounced CURED. I have a lot of questions about this--why aren't we all able to avail ourselves of effective treatments like this. My point, though, is that your nephew needs to do a lot of research, finding the best drs, best hospitals, who have the best success rates. There apparently ARE very successful treatments available for the disease--if you know where to find them, how to get them for yourself and can afford them.

Ive had cats my entire life and lost one to feline leukiemia at age 16. Im so sorry - the fact that she just was starting her life has got to add another dimension to the loss. For me, understanding what happened and why helps me to grieve and find acceptance so perhaps you could have a talk with the vet when you feel ready? Talk with veterinary teaching hospital or specialist if you need more answers. I assume they did the FLV test for your kitten? Conceivably she had some interaction with another feral cat that her mom and sibs did not but then why didnt mom and sibs contract it from her - does it take time for a cat to become infectious? PS OK post is from 5 y rs ago. I spent some time writing a thoughtful answer so Im not going to remove it!!!