What do you see?

When Alex was born we heard all the dire predictions from some of the professionals:

• Low muscle tone
• Lack of coordination
• Poor eyesight
• Slow reflexes
• Challenges with weight
• Delays in processing, communicating and more

We also heard the great things from many professionals and even more parents:

• Physical therapy and being active in sports helps with low muscle tone
• Stay active and coordination and reflexes will improve , or may not even be a problem
• Eyesight is very dependent on family history
• Exercising and eating well will help manage weight
• Yes, there are delays but EVERYONE learns at their own pace

We are a sports family and took a lot of this advice to heart. Just like her parents and just like her siblings, Alex has been involved in sports since a very young age.

Alex played and was included in the local recreation program soccer and softball leagues. She played basketball in middle and high school.

She learned to horseback ride, swim, ice skate, ski (search South Korea to learn more), snowshoe and has competed at the highest levels in skiing.

Alex took swimming and basketball classes at college (and was fully included) this year and received the highest accolades on her attendance, participation and dedication.

My sport of choice is tennis and has been since Tommy was three and I finally felt I could have some time to myself. I was able to resume playing after a long hiatus 15 years ago, when Alex was six. And just like her older sister Alex wanted to learn to play tennis. She started lessons when she was eight and has continued off and on for years.

This summer Alex announced she wanted to start playing tennis again....so I signed her up for a lesson and was amazed at her muscle memory, so much so that the pro declared she had better form than  me!

So when you look at his video - do you see low muscle tone, processing delays, slow reflexes or lack of coordination? I don't, I see a beautiful young lady taking her first tennis lesson in four years and getting excited again about the game.



Caveats...Alex will only hike with me under penalty of death, she can not ride a bike and she gained the freshman 20 (twice) this year at college. We are relearning about healthy eating and healthy choices.

If you have not liked our page, it is a good way to stay on top of the ups and downs of college (and inclusive education) for a person with a development/intellectual disability. I have no idea what is going to happen....but I will share the good and the bad. Please click here