Today I visited classical conversations homeschooling group with Rhyker and Tucker- it brought back many memories of being at a co-op and trying to integrate Tucker – I remember the challenge Tucker had with the sensory overload, the anxiety and tummy issues it caused him- changing his dirty diaper on a blanket on the the floor in the handicap stall because he was too big to put on the changing table and there was no other place–the frustration of trying to get him to stay in a classroom and not understanding the sensory overload he was dealing with and finding myself frazzled, overwhelmed and in tears the whole way home. I did not have that same experience today- my now 20 year old young man sitting in a room of young children-who far surpass him in ability- the other kids stare- trying to make sense of this “man- boy” they watch him attempt to color and struggle to hold a colored pencil- he covers his ears when things get too loud; I wonder if he might decide to dart OUT of the building and I sit holding his hand wondering: Monica, are you insane? WHAT Are you DOING HERE????
One of the girls shares her snack with him- ❤️
And I’m reminded of why I came in the first place.
I don’t know how this will play out for me in the fall, but today I was reminder that I AM a Down syndrome mom- and that my son still doesn’t fit easily into this world of “normal”- but maybe, just maybe- this group might be a place where he can be the wonderful, “square peg” he is.
Tag / Autism
Is IT WORTH IT?
When our son was younger my husband came home one day and said a friend asked him this question:
“IS IT WORTH IT?”
I could say all sorts of mean things about this person and his question, in fact, at the time, I am sure I did. It really just showed me his lack of understanding about what life is really about and that made me sad for him.
You begin to realize, when you travel such a road as this, that sometimes those who are really “disabled” are those who choose to live without understanding what is truly important.
IS IT WORTH IT?
What kind of question is that?
At first the question angers me,
But after a moment~ it just saddens me;
It is question of ignorance.
Some may question whether having
any child is “worth it”.
It costs so much!
Time, energy, and money.
You life becomes caring for them,
Worrying about them.
Training and teaching them,
so that they may someday be able to care for themselves.
It’s all about giving~
Giving a part of yourself and
Sacrificing part of yourself to help another.
To help someone grow in love,
so that their lives may be blessed
with people who will love them and care for them.
photo by Erin Carlson
Having a child with mental and physical challenges
is not so different.
Yes, there are a lot more “things” to deal with~such as
developmental, and health issues and
if your goal in life is to see your child
become a rocket scientist~
you will probably be disappointed.
But if your goal is to help build a person
to be the best that he can be.
To help this person overcome the many
obstacles that are in his way~
to help him learn, love and laugh~
You someday realize you are raising nothing short
of a little hero!
photo by Kelli Schmieder
and in the process you
learn and grow so much
you begin to wonder……
Who
has actually been
teaching
who???
Forget Me Not Thoughts 