Jen
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Posts: 153
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« on: August 01, 2007, 04:35:13 AM » |
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Tonight was one of those nights when, as a mom, you sit on the edge of your chair- wanting with all your might to run to the rescue at the same time you sit still and hold your breath at the scene unfolding in front of you.
for those of you who are 'newer to our family' , our 9 year old, jordan (diagnosed w/ autism at age 2) does NOT like to play on the playground equipment at school- he wont climb the ladders... HATES heights... has ALWAYS been very gravitationally insecure- you get the picture. tonight the HS band had its annual pool party for families at our local water park. i walked around looking for my kids, as they had run seperate directions when we arrived, and found the 3 youngest at the low diving board. By genetics, they are not 'daredevils' so i was pleased to see the 2 middle kiddos in line to go off that smaller board- then jordan got in line. i stepped back and watched while he gingerly went of the end and came up w/ a big smile. then he pointed to the higher diving board and told me he was headed there. i had to walk away- just far enough that i could still see, but not right beside the board. him just climbing the ladder had me w/ a few tears... then he walked to the end of the board and kept taking deep breaths, trying to calm himself enough to go off the end. all the kids and adults in the area stopped and were encourageing him. i noticed craig had seen what was up and hurried over, trying to figure out if someone was 'making' him do it- when he discovered his little brother was up there of his own accord, craig took over the smaller board, trying to 'will' jordan to jump. finally, jordan climbed back down, he just couldnt over come the fear- so he went off the smaller one once and walked back in line for the big one saying, 'i'm ready now!' up he went again, and after a few deep breaths, he jumped! a dear friend (and one of jordan's former teachers) was right there beside me, encouraging him along- we both lept in the air when he went off. everyone cheered- most had no idea why, other than a 'little kid' had made it. to me it was yet another learning experience- how he sees a challenge and pushes himself forward to victory.
someday, i hope i am just like my son.
Jen
as a side note- to those familiar w/ his powerpoint presentation- he and i were talking about it tonight and decided it needs a new title and approach- its time to do ' Mythbusters: Autismstyle!"
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