Milestones

 As moms, we are constantly measuring, recording & evaluating our kids. Then we take those measurements and compare them to the kids of our friends, siblings, fellow church-goers, strangers in the grocery. Always looking and checking to make sure our kids are progressing an acceptable rate, hopefully better, faster, quicker than their peers, but at least not too far behind.

 As moms of kids with special needs, it's a whole other story. We're not so much focused on how our child progresses compared to other children, but rather on whether they're progressing at all. Whether their growth & development is on par with how THEY should be (perhaps a slight comparison to other children with the same diagnosis, but mostly not). It’s amazing how, when you’re dealing with a life that is different in its development, how the simplest milestones are a big deal & the big milestones?? Are earth-shattering.

Due to having Down Syndrome, Henry was naturally slow in his development. He rolled over later, sat up later, crawled later - all of it. Which is difficult when comparing to neuro-typical children, but totally normal within his sub-group. The most difficult part? Watching children I knew who were born at the same time or after Henry pass him by.

When it came to walking, Henry was very, very delayed. We knew he’d be late, but we hoped that meant 18 months or maybe 2 years. When 3 came and went, we were frustrated, but kept reminding ourselves “Henry will do it when he’s ready”. Which turned out to be at 3 1/2, at summer school.

That day, he took 5 or 6 steps straight into my arms as I picked him up from school. Then we came home & I made him walk everywhere. To his high chair for lunch. Back to the living room to watch Elmo. To his room for his nap. And I was sobbing like Sobby McWeeperton during The Grand Festival of Sobbing & Weeping. I was really looking forward to Steve coming home so he could see it. And this is how great he is - when I got a hold of him to tell him the news, he said, “What kind of cake should I get?” I just went, “Duh….what?” And he said, “To celebrate. We’re having a cake.” How cool is that???

So when he got home, we had a performance in the living room followed by everyone enjoying some lovely chocolate cake as we sang, “Happy Walking to You”. I captured a little on video.

It's amazing to me how much these milestones mean to us parents who face our childrens' struggles. I'm so glad to have this experience with Henry. To be able to rejoice and get so much more excited about milestones. To be thankful about reaching milestones and conquering obstacles - because our kids, honestly, had to work a little bit harder to reach them.

Comments

[Bettyann Schmidt]

Christy! This piece about Henry walking was so good. We had these experiences too with, Jeff, now aged 20, with Ds. I remember how every milestone became a party! Exciting life for sure. I loved the video. He was so cute going back and forth and celebrating something he learned to do. Bless you for this. It made my day (which wasn't going too well at first). Blessings to you, b.

[Venus]

How precious! He looked like he was having so much fun! He did not stay down for one second it seemed he jumped up every time he fell. What a lesson!

[Robin]

I truly enjoyed this. My son was diagnosed with adhd and then high functioning autism. It's been a journey and yet I see such greatness in our son. Being parents of special needs children helps us to see and appreciate what we might not without the special needs. We have 3 other children and our son has taught us communication skills, to really truly be real with our emotions, to find the good even in the midst of a most disappointing time. To trust God when he has run off and has been gone all day and we don't know where he could be. At times I think our children are training us. To see the beauty in everyday things that others might take for granted. I celebrate with you! (smile) Blessings

[Michelle]

Christy,
I was so excited too while reading your post!! I can relate to Miss Sobby, lol! Our little one, Ari, is 3 and a half, our granddaughter that we are raising. She didn't walk until almost 3 and she says few words. Just recently she started putting small phrases together and as she was saying c'mere c'mere gamma I'm jumping up and down and clapping and crying. She must've thought gramma had gone off the deep end :)
Yay for Henry and Yay for Ari, and Yay for us too. We are so blessed that God has sent us these children.
Thank you so much for sharing this great milestone!