Patch Heads Back to School With Luisa (VIDEO)

Branford Patch to nominate a kindergartner for us to follow on his or her first day of school and Luisa Gravem was chosen after her mother, Liliam Demacedo-Gravem, sent the following e-mail:

“Luisa is very excited about starting school this year. She attended Pre-K in Madison and later at Indian Neck School as a regular peer. Several years ago, one of her twin brothers, who also attend Sliney (4th grade), attended Indian Neck School Special Education program. Luisa is a very happy, caring child who loves to help others and sees no difference on those that are different…”

Four-year-old Luisa Gravem was all smiles Wednesday as she headed off to her first day of school at . Her two 9-year-old twin brothers, entering fourth grade, led the way to school as she followed behind with her mother.

Luisa is a special child who cares very much for both her brothers and often takes extra time to be supportive of Nick Gravem, her brother with special needs.

Nick suffered brain damage from a stroke just after he and his brother Christopher (Toby) were born nearly three months early. In addition to battling epilepsy, Nick also suffers from hydroencephalitis and has undergone several brain surgeries. Luisa, stated Liliam, does not see the difference between herself and her brother. She treats everyone the same, her mom added.

Because Luisa has grown up with Nick, her mother said she truly treats all people equally. While at where she was a regular peer in a classroom with children who have special needs, Liliam said her daughter surprised her with compassion. Luisa kept talking about her best friend that she wanted to have over and when Liliam said she finally got to meet the friend, she learned she was in a wheel chair. Luisa had never mentioned it once.

Though just 4, Luisa is a very independent child. She helped get herself ready for school while mom attended to Nick and when it came time for packing snacks, she had her lunch bag all ready to go.

Entering Megan St. Pierre’s class, Luisa said she was very excited about the play kitchen and making friends. As soon as she got to school on Wednesday, she in the cafeteria and finally began her long journey to becoming an adult.

Bittersweet for Liliam, she was happy to see Luisa off to school so she could finally have a few hours of quite time before the house became filled again with sounds of siblings. When asked what her hopes for Luisa are as she matriculates through school, Liliam said she hopes her daughter finds what she loves and becomes the best at it.