The kids that participate have all sorts of abilities. Another one of our friends from the Down syndrome community attends. Many of the other children have CP....I'm kind of just assuming this because I don't really know. And in all honesty, it doesn't really matter to me. We think they are all great and it's encouraging to see their accomplishments too.
The session starts with the kiddies on the mats with the therapists and parents. There are warm up songs with actions, like If you're Happy and you Know It and a few others I can't remember. We also do ball work on excersise balls to strengthen the core muscles that kiddies with Down syndrome often need to work on. Then we work with benches to practice standing to sitting, kneeling to standing, etc. We usually finish off with a game of Monkey See, Monkey Do. Joshua is a bit young for this game but it works really well with a lot of the other participants. Basically, there are flashcards with a monkey on it putting his body into different stretching positions and the kids must copy the monkey. The kids really like it.
Once all of the mat work is finished, the therapists set up a circuit of activities that you're free to participate in. These include a tunnel to practice crawling, foam stairs to climb, trampoline, different toys to practice stepping on, scooters, and walkers. Every activity is challenging and focuses on helping the participants develop their walking skills to the best of their ability.
This past Friday, Joshua and I attended and it seemed like a complete waste of time. I woke up feeling like I was dragging along and struggling to get the day going but I knew that we needed to go because this would be the last session we could attend this summer. So we got all packed up and off we went. There was only one other boy there with his mom as the attendence has been all over the place with summer holidays. It seemed like from the get-go Joshua wasn't up to physio on this particular day. He wasn't interested in staying on the mat, was trying to grab the physio's papers and he was just totally distracted. Whenever I would try to get him to stretch, he'd turn his body into a noodle and flop around. Now for a kid who's already "floppy" to flop even more, this is quite the challenge! It's as if the joints in his body can totally dislocate and he can get out of whatever position you are trying to hold him in. So I've been affectionately calling him Mr. Noodle whenever he starts to flop around. It helps me take things a little less seriously.
So basically, after the mat work I decided we were finished with physio for the day. I wasn't going to push it. Joshua obviously wasn't up for physio and I know it's a lot of hard work for him to do these activities. So off we went. I was a little frustrated that we accomplished very little and appologized to the therapists for his lack of interest but they totally understood and it wasn't a big deal. I was just a little deflated. It was one of those days where I felt that this was all a huge wast of time and I had better things to be doing. One of those days where I will freely admit that I wish we didn't need to be part of a physio group. Just a little.
Fast forward to Sunday - Joshua, G and I were in our backyard in the kiddie pool splashing around. Suddenly, out of absolutely no where, Joshua picks himself off the ground and STANDS UP!!! Like I'm talking, on two feet. Not touching anything. Not using anything to grab on to and pull himself up with. My husband and I just stared at each other and at Joshua. Joshua just stood there like "hmmmmmmm this is interesting that I can stand on two feet". He's NEVER EVER EVER tried this before. We have NOT practiced this is any way, besides standing leaning against a wall. I suddenly started crying and cheering and we were EXTATIC!! Then he continues to do this standing/sitting thing for the next half hour or so. It was absolutely amazing! This little trick has now become part of his repatoire that he's quite proud of himself for. And rightly so. It's a huge accomplishment. He even throws in some clapping when he falls down. The kid just knows exactly how to encourage himself and encourage his weary mama.
I'm so proud of our little Doodlebug. He's just the most wonderful kid. So determind. So strong. And knows just the exact moment he needs to throw his mama a bone to show her that he is picking up on things, he is progressing, and most importantly he WILL accomplish goals and milestones when HE is ready.
Seriously. Love. This.Kid.
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