The Story of Pumpkinhead-Part 3
Pumpkinhead-Part One
Years ago, we were concerned about our daughter’s failing health and her high school special education program. We requested an out of district placement at a school for the blind to address her increased need. Our request ended in a hearing with our district. During the hearing, our daughter with physical, mental, and vision disabilities, remained at the school for the blind ‘one on one’ with teacher.

Pumpkinhead-Part Two
Mom’s story: ”In Kelsey’s 15 years prior to the blind school placement, rarely did she express an opinion. Kelsey is a smile and humility all rolled into one. She is submissive, without guile, and never expresses her feelings. The day Carol called about Kelsey’s creative writing experience, I will never forget. Pumpkinhead brought a day of emotion at our home.”

Teacher Carol’s story: “Pumpkinhead was more than just meeting a goal in Special Education. I was always impressed with Kelsey’s wisdom. She knew how Pumpkinhead could best deal with his feelings from growing up in a big, loving family. All the ideas, thoughts, and feelings of Pumpkinhead were Kelsey’s own, trapped inside with no outlet. As her teacher, all I did was provide a reason and the structure for Pumpkinhead to emerge.”

Pumpkinhead Written by Kelsey Mack
Pumpkinhead is a ghost who lives in a haunted house. He’s different from other ghosts because he has a pumpkin for a head. On Halloween, Pumpkinhead wants to go to the big neighborhood party. He can’t wait to get treats from the other ghosts and play party games and dance. Pumpkinhead baked chocolate chip cookies to give to the other ghosts. Pumpkinhead flew to the party. When he got there, he smiled and waved. “Hi everyone!” he shouted. The other ghosts looked at Pumpkinhead and laughed. “That’s a funny mask you have on!” they said. “This isn’t a mask, “ Pumpkinhead said. “I’m like this all the time!” The other ghosts stopped laughing and hit him. Another ghost punched him. No one wanted to play with Pumpkinhead. Pumpkinhead went home. He was very sad. He also felt angry. When Pumpkinhead got home, he told his family what happened at the party. He always talked to the other ghosts who knew and loved him. They told Pumpkinhead that he was a good ghost. They said he should be nice to everyone. “Even though you’re different from the other ghosts, “ they said, ”you’ll be OK.” Pumpkinhead felt much better. The End

The real end of the story: As a result of the school district hearing, Kelsey received compensatory services. Twelve additional months of education were tacked onto her last year of high school education. Two years after graduation, Kelsey became very sick with nausea and sore eyes. Three years after graduation, we learned, too late, that Kelsey had secondary angle-closure glaucoma. The insidious disease had blinded our daughter in her left eye. Two weeks ago, Kelsey had surgery on her good eye in an attempt to preserve her eye sight. One week ago, we learned that the surgery was not as successful as we had hoped. Our request for placement at the school for the blind was right. Kelsey needed blind training. The miracle of Pumpkinhead is forever a reminder of our daughter’s “special” education, her tremendous success, and her innermost feelings. I love you Kelsey and Happy Halloween!

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