The most overused saying by someone who does not know a person with down syndrome is “she must love to hug”. To say this bugs the heck out of me is an understatement and I usually respond with “only when she is in a good mood”.
So to hear these words in our house is a very very good thing. These simple words mean Alex is doing well in school, sports and with friends. She is not coming home and slamming the door shut, playing music as loud as she can and being obstinate. These times of respite are hug filled, welcome, enjoyable and usually last for a few weeks. We enjoy it while we can.
In short Alex’s present hug filled life looks like this:
• POPULAR Manager of the Boys’ Football Team, INCLUDED AND WELCOME
• MATURE teenager, cleaning room and showering daily
• ENGAGED student, INCLUDED in four regular ed classes with SUPPORT
• ACTIVE participant in Special Olympics Bowling
• HEALTHY teenager with a 15 lbs. plus weight loss, and SELF MONITORING her caloric intake
• FRIEND to a local self-advocate who has graduated from school; Alex invited him to homecoming
• CRAZY dancer, who rocked the Homecoming Dance with her friend
• And best of all, INDEPENDENT teenager who lets her parents go for hikes in the beautiful fall weather
Let me say it again (sing it from the rooftops!)
Yes, Alex is climbing the proverbial mountain, and I hope she will continue to climb for the next few weeks. I know she will reach a plateau and perhaps even take a few steps backward, but this does not bother me. Alex is on a journey to independence and a fulfilling life and I know she will get there. Our job is to hug, praise, and support. Easy enough. Onward you go Alex!
So to hear these words in our house is a very very good thing. These simple words mean Alex is doing well in school, sports and with friends. She is not coming home and slamming the door shut, playing music as loud as she can and being obstinate. These times of respite are hug filled, welcome, enjoyable and usually last for a few weeks. We enjoy it while we can.
In short Alex’s present hug filled life looks like this:
• POPULAR Manager of the Boys’ Football Team, INCLUDED AND WELCOME
• MATURE teenager, cleaning room and showering daily• ENGAGED student, INCLUDED in four regular ed classes with SUPPORT
• ACTIVE participant in Special Olympics Bowling
• HEALTHY teenager with a 15 lbs. plus weight loss, and SELF MONITORING her caloric intake
• FRIEND to a local self-advocate who has graduated from school; Alex invited him to homecoming
• CRAZY dancer, who rocked the Homecoming Dance with her friend
• And best of all, INDEPENDENT teenager who lets her parents go for hikes in the beautiful fall weather
Let me say it again (sing it from the rooftops!)
POPULAR, INCLUDED AND WELCOME, MATURE, ENGAGED, INCLUDED (worth saying twice), SUPPORT, ACTIVE, HEALTHY, SELF-MONITORING. FRIEND, CRAZY and INDEPENDENT
Yes, Alex is climbing the proverbial mountain, and I hope she will continue to climb for the next few weeks. I know she will reach a plateau and perhaps even take a few steps backward, but this does not bother me. Alex is on a journey to independence and a fulfilling life and I know she will get there. Our job is to hug, praise, and support. Easy enough. Onward you go Alex!
Homecoming must have been really fantastic.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for showing us what hugs really mean and imply.
Hugging is as much your job/duty.
Love the picture of Alex and the guys.
Great post about all the things Alex is doing. susan
ReplyDelete