Matilda...

Matilda's Year 10 photos came home from school yesterday. I really like this one, it will be the only one with her braces on. Her Orthodontist reported at her last appointment that it will look like late 2009 or early 2010 for this phase of her treatment to end. She will be fitted with retainers to wear in the next phase. This is 6-12 months ahead of what he originally thought it would be, she has responded very well to treatment.

This academic year Matilda graduated from Middle to Senior School and wears a white shirt with dark green skirt to denote that...in Years 8 & 9 female students wore a dark green/white striped shirt, same style as this. Both male & female students have the option of a tie, today Matilda is wearing hers as she is participating in the School's ANZAC Day Ceremony. Her face is a wee bit longer than in this photo, our scanner tends to compress photos a little.


All State Schools in Queensland have compulsory uniform which at first I was neither here nor there on but after living with a teenager who tries on five outfits just before going to the shops I have decided that I really like it, Matilda does too. There is no hassle in the mornings, she knows exactly what is expected of her and although it does take away an individual's right to self expression through clothing choices I like that it removes an avenue for the teasing, competitiveness and (sometimes) bullying that goes on with students coming from varying socio-economic backgrounds. If we were still in Victoria she would be going to a no uniform secondary school...am hearing from many parents of the struggles they are having with their children (interestingly both sons & daughters) and "what can I wear to school today Muuuuuuuuummmmm...????"

I have to admit to being quite glad it's not happening to me, it's hard enough on the once per term uniform-free days arranged by The (student run) Welfare Committee. They fund raise for a charity of choice by having a uniform free day and the students making a gold coin donation. There's usually around $500 raised which is quite significant.

Wondering what others think, especially if you don't live in Australia. I know in the USA & Canada, schools with compulsory uniform are the exception rather than the norm.

Do tell all...

Very Quick Matilda Update...

No more drama with the braces wire for Matilda, it passed with no problem, x-rays reveal a perfectly healthy, intact gut.

She saw the Orthodontist yesterday and he replaced the wire with a heavier gauge one, fingers crossed that it won't break, it's unlikely. He also did her first big adjustment, she has had her braces on for 3 months now and the difference it has made already is quite significant. Her eye teeth, her "fangs" as she called them, have slipped into the place created by removing her two molars, it has been amazing to see how quickly her teeth have moved. He also complimented her on her excellent oral hygiene with the braces. Next appointment for adjustment will be November 19th, that's 10 weeks away.

Today she is in pain though...quite a lot of pain and her teeth are very sensitive. She can only eat soft foods so we have packed creamed rice and yoghurt (x2) in her lunch box for tomorrow. Tonight she had scrambled eggs for dinner...poor possum. I sent her to bed dosed up on Panadeine tonight, she was very wakeful last night...she has two more beside her bed in case she wakes in pain again. I don't really dose up on drugs at every little ache & pain but this pain is very unpleasant, there is no need to put up with it.

Thanks everyone for your care and concern over the wire incident. Thankfully the worst that happened was a night without sleep.

Working On A Perfect Smile...

Matilda got her braces on her teeth today...!! She was both excited about and fearful of the day. She has beautiful teeth, has managed to get to 14 and not need a filling and once her eye teeth pop into place her smile will be gorgeous again.

She is in a little pain this evening, says her mouth feels "tight" but nothing paracetamol won't take care of. She has always taken excellent care of her teeth and now has a very detailed, comprehensive plan mapped out...we have a new electric toothbrush, various types of floss, picks, brushes, wax etc. She'll do well once she gets the hang of it and into a routine.

Her treatment is going to cost a bit under $5000.00...$4660.00 to be precise. This is the total fee for the entire package, no hidden extras. I know it will be worth the dollars spent in the long run. I wish I had been able to have the opportunity to have orthodontic treatment, I guess I could now but one in the family at any one time is enough. My Mum was a sole parent with 4 kids, there were no extra dollars,let alone dollars for orthodontic treatment.

The thing that really irks me about the whole deal is the pittance that Medibank Private will refund. Matilda's lifetime orthodontic benefit will be $2400.00, almost half of the total cost. I also discovered today that unless I ask for it at the end of her treatment they will only refund $1350.00...(that's $400 for 2008, $450 for 2009 and $500 for 2010...once treatment is complete a letter from the orthodontist will entitle us to the remaining $1000 or so)...no-one tells you this though, you have to know the right questions to ask and unless you get told which questions are the right questions, you just don't get the refund. I have been asking myself whether it's really worth having private health insurance, certainly not if it is just for orthodontics. Matilda had to have two teeth extracted last week to make space for her eye teeth to slip into...it was $175/tooth...outrageous...!!! Total refund $35.00/tooth. Medibank Private can expect a huge number of claims from our family this year...we are going to get everything we possibly can get back, we don't pay this for nothing.

Photos to come...they are still on the camera...