Wow. Glad I Caught Idol Tonight

I don't watch American Idol generally. Tonight I watched it for a little bit and while all the little stories and successes are wonderful, the last clip on this episode pretty much said it all. As a mother of a special needs child, I live everyday full of hope for my son and know that his future will be bright. But still, worry is part of this game. Tonight a man auditioned and told his story of how he was born with no ears and that as he got older he was able to have surgeries to allow him to hear because he did in fact have ear drums etc. His family waited outside the audition room and his father was weepy as he waited. Every parent wants their child to succeed but this dad was coming from a very different place far deeper than a place of hope for a golden ticket. After the man sang his beautiful song and came out to show his family his ticket, his father was pretty much balling in the background. He said " I remember when the Doctor said "he won't speak, he can't hear he's not well.".. "Now I am happy." I of course lost it at this point because everyone loves a success story but really I'm thrilled as a special needs mommy to see the unbelievable miracle that I was able to see tonight. These kids are amazing and it turns out, they become amazing adults too!

What a Team Means in Our World

I had a reflective moment today and it was regarding the type of Developmental Pediatrician we went to back when our now 5 year old was only 15 months old, and how if he had been any different than he was, who knows how our path would have unfolded. He was supportive and positive from our very first meeting and I truly believe that he helped shape the course for us because of this outlook. We happen to be optimists so I think that even if he had been a downer, we would have resisted following that lead because of the type of people we are. Having said that though, the early intervention journey is a draining one at times so the more positive and optimistic people you have on your team, the better. As we started meeting therapists and forming our team we made sure to keep people with similar attitudes with us. Now after 3.5 years we have formed an unbelievable team full of supportive and hopeful members who care so completely for our son. His teacher for the past 3 years has done so much more than I will ever be able to thank her for and just today when she had to go to bat for us yet again, she did it without giving it a second thought. As always she got the exact result we wanted. Each therapist we have works so hard every week to help our son progress and they are as excited as we are when they see the results of all of these efforts. We are so beyond lucky to have the team that we have and not a day goes by that we don't appreciate each and every member!

Go Team!



 

 

 

Up and Down

For the first time since we started our therapy/intervention journey 3.5 years ago, we took a true break. Every holiday break we still continue with therapies so there isn't regression and to keep the little man on somewhat of a routine. During this holiday break we took the two weeks to just relax and enjoy. We kept one speech therapy appointment because she comes to our house and it was easy enough so he met with her two times and an OT student who used to be his shadow at a typical preschool, came one time to play for an hour. Aside from that our routine went out the window. It was actually kind of nice to just relax at home, go to bed late, sleep in and spend time together. I always joke that I'm "greedy" when it comes to my son because every time I want a milestone to come so badly, by the time it comes, I'm so anxious for another that I recognize that the old goal has been reached but still it's on to the next. At one time I just wanted him to say "hi" and now I want him to master potty training which by the way,the fact that he hasn't yet is completely his choice. He just can't be bothered but knows exactly what he is supposed to do and will do it when he told but doesn't care enough to initiate it on his own. I have "hi" now though, all the time. No prompt required, if someone says hi to him he says hi back.. it's the best.. but here I am focused on that potty thing ;). So over this vacation we have had up's and down's because during the entire first week at home, potty training completely regressed. He was loving his free time so much and the fact that for the first time since he was 1.5 years old, he didn't have to be somewhere at all times. He finally got control of  the bathroom deal again during week two (phew, I thought hubby was going to jump out the window ) and even had some great gains while we were home. He started saying yes and no consistently which again he knows how to say and do everything but it's getting him to do it on our terms. So overall vaca was a great success. Slight regression and major verbal improvements. I was so excited for this time with the family, with two days left of break I'm starting to get pretty excited to get back into a routine again. Up and down, that's the way the special needs road goes.