After I dropped Gracie off at school, John and I took Preston to Disneyland with our neighbor, Addison, and her mommy, Rachel. We have lived here a year and have not yet gone - - both because of John's previously insane schedule and because we were so hesitant to take Gracie and have her be too stressed for any of us to enjoy it. I had a tremendous amount of guilt about going without her, but am so glad we did. It was really hot, even in November, and we spent a considerable amount of time in line for tickets.
(We bit the bullet and bought passes, realizing that we can take several short trips as often as we want and then there isn't pressure if one (or both) of the kids isn't having a great time. We can go on however many rides we can fit in without the pressure of fitting everything in. Plus, once we get the lay of the land, we will be able to carefully plan Gracie's first trip with shade, lines, crowd control and ride order all accounted for.)
Addison and Rachel were so patient waiting for us; Addison is a pro at waiting in line as she's been to Disneyland a bazillion times! Now that we have passes, Preston and I can go with them more often. It will be so fun!
When we left Disneyland, we picked Gracie up from school and then she had OT and PT. Last Monday (the 9th), she got to demo the type of wheelchair we have in mind for her. (There's been some questions regarding her strength and whether or not she'd be able to propel a chair on her own, thus a new chair had been put on hold until she could prove she was ready for it.)
On her first try, she got in, propelled, turned, etc. It was remarkable how well she did and she taught a big lesson about never underestimating her! This week, I was armed with my camera to capture her in action. She did great again, but rather than turn herself with the wheels, she discovered she could "bounce" off the walls using her feet! At first we thought she was having trouble steering, but quickly realized that this new method of movement was completely intentional. Leave it to Miss Gracie to add her own special touches to mobility!
This was a crazy day! Gracie's Triennial IEP was in the morning and lasted just short of her entire school day. As soon as school was out, I took her to Vital Stim . (Yep... she's back at therapy... more on that to follow soon!)
That night, I went out... for the first time in over a year... with fellow Mommy in CHARGE, Catherine, to celebrate her birthday. Upon seeing me in a dress and heels, Preston said, "Mama, what you wearing? Take off you shoes, Mama." His comments cracked me up... he has never seen me in a dress and heels... it is a very rare occasion! (My "lack of glam" also evidenced by my fading farmer tan!)
I took Gracie to school, then Vital Stim (normally on Fridays) and then OT & PT. At the end of PT, Gracie got very upset because she saw the wheelchair she'd used on Monday (and the previous Monday) and walked (with my assistance) toward it. She signed "up" and I had to tell her it was time to go. She got furious, started to cry and when I picked her up, she pointed to the chair over and over. I felt so bad and so happy all at the same time - - bad because she couldn't use it and it was time for us to leave; happy because she clearly loves the freedom that the chair gives her. I am so excited for this new chapter in her growth - - so much freedom and control heading your way, sweet girl. (Now we're all in big trouble! Ha!)
When Gracie and I got home, John was standing in the hallway in front of the bathroom door. He quietly informed me that Preston was on the potty about to go "number two" all by himself. And... he did it! Yay! He told John he had to go, took off his pants and diaper, put the potty seat on the toilet and climbed up all on his own! Woo Hoo!!! A huge step in the right direction!
John took Gracie to school and Preston "helped" him. I stayed home preparing for the carpet cleaners to come (very badly needed, by the way!). Once they finished, I took Preston for a haircut. While we waited, he informed me he had to go potty. And... he did BOTH on the potty there. I was floored and so proud of him. After his cut, we picked Gracie up from school and returned home to play in front of the house (as I was trying to keep them off the carpets as long as possible!).
We blew up this cool tube that my mom got the kids last year. We thought Gracie would love it (and I think she will, eventually), but on this particular day, she wasn't having any part of it! She only wanted to sit in the stroller and play with the tennis racquet and ball.
I took Gracie to school, then Preston, then came home, cleaned a bit, went to the store, made Pumpkin Marble Cheesecake, cleaned some more, got myself cleaned up, picked Gracie up, brought her home, fed her, changed her and then went to Preston's Preschool Thanksgiving Feast. It was so cute to see the kids together and get the chance to chat with some of the other parents. By the end of the evening, all three of us were tired!
7 comments:
Wow Busy Week, Lots of Fun, Joy and Excitement for all! I got the chills when I started watching Gracie's video... I love the music you put with it. It was so neat to be able to see her go on her own and so neat to hear (but sad because she couldnt) that she wanted to do it again a few days later. Love all the pics as usual! Hope ya'll have another great week!
Kim
p.s. thanks for the info on the article for Christopher. As I read it I felt like I was reading about Christopher Clayton! I forwarded it to the teacher and I think they are going to use some of those "tactics" to help him.
What a great week, looks like fun and some great achivements.
I am so jealous you have a pass to Disneyland, and when you take Gracie got to Guest relations and get a wheelchair pass then she will not have to stand in line for any rides, if you do it will not be long it just depends on how many wheelchair people are there at the sametime. We got one at Disneyland and Disney World they are great when it comes to our kids.
Have fun!!
Hugs,
Crystal and Eva
Oh my goodness, I got tears in my eyes watching Gracie push herself in the wheelchair! What an amazing accomplishment. I love that she pushes off the wall with her feet to steer. :)
My son and I have Disneyland passes, in fact we're going on Tuesday! We don't take Peanut though, it's definately too loud and overloading for her. I am glad you guys had fun there!
Wow! You've had quite a week.
Vince and I LOVED watching Miss Gracie in the chair. Oh, my goodness - She is rocking it! She totally reversed when she was near the wall and then straightened out to go forward - awesome planning. Clever girl!
I am so excited you went to Dinseyland with Preston. It really is the happiest place on earth, isn't it?
And your pumpkin marble cheesecake sounds a.maz.ing. Mmmmmmm.
You've motivated me to do more :) What a great week you all had. I'm so glad you got to go to Disneyland and enjoyed yourself. And I just LOVE the video of Gracie in the wheelchair. She is so good and fast! We need to get Ben back into regular PT and have them start working with him and a wheelchair. What kind of chair are you ordering?
Go, Gracie, GO!! I just loved this video! I was cheering her on the whole way! She does an amazing job with the wheelchair--WOW! You are going to have some biceps and triceps of steel, Miss Gracie! I loved the quick problem-solving she did with figuring out how to use her feet to steer herself off the wall, too. :-)
What a busy and fun week you all had! As Crystal mentioned, when you take Gracie to Disney, go to Guest Relations and ask for a special needs pass. This will allow you to go to the front of the line for rides (actually, they'll have you go up the exit ramp and wait there, and the operator will put you on the next available ride). Preston will be allowed to use this too when Gracie is along. The pass also gives you special seating at shows if you child has visual and/or hearing needs. It's awesome, especially on a crowded day!
Hi Kristi
didn't hear from you in a while- hope all is well- thought you might enjoy this poem I came across:
A meeting was held quite far from earth
It was time again for another birth
Said the Angels to the Lord above
This special child will need much love
Her progress may be very slow
Accomplishments she may not show
And she'll require extra care
From the folks she meets down there
She may not run or laugh or play
Her thoughts may seem quite far away
So many times she will be labeled
"Different, helpless and disabled"
So let's be careful where she's sent
We want her life to be content
Please Lord find the parents who
Will do a special job for you
They will not realize right away
The leading role they are asked to play
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger Faith & richer love
And soon they'll know the privelage given
In caring for their gift from heaven
The precious charge so meek & mild
Is heavens very special child.
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