Two in One Day? More Than You Bargained For.

Look at me blogging twice in one day. That hasn't happened in awhile.

Sooooo.......

I just got back from Georgia's last day of camp party with the kids a little while ago.

Here's what keeps swirling in my mind. Georgia was unable to sit at the table to do the craft with the rest of the kids. I say unable, but I mean...well. Unable. She was afraid(??) of all the new faces/parents and chose to sit off to the side with me and Rainer and a coulple other siblings. We brought her a little table so she could still work on the craft, but at a "safe" distance.

Georgia doesn't have many self-help skills. Dressing, toileting, etc...she just shows very little interest in any of these tasks. She feeds herself pretty well these days. That took a long time, but it came. I am hoping to one day say the same about the other things. She is only just starting to even think of brushing her hair out of her face, and she WILL brush her teeth (but we have to follow after her...which...seems good to me).

She's fidgety. Sensory. Anxious. She flits around almost unable (if she is not interested in something) in sitting still. However, if she likes something she can get a little obsessive about whatever it is.

She is a "flight risk" in the situations she doesn't like, or...if she sees a shiny penny. (Hee hee. In other words, if something cool is happening in the hall, she's gonna' go check it out.)

She's not the best listener. She has a hard time following directions...one step OR more.

Her speech is difficult to understand and according to all the paperwork SEVERELY DELAYED.

There's all. this. stuff. That if I let it (and sometimes I am powerless to this), can really put a damper on my day. I could just look at her like this. This list of things that are hard for her. That make her "look weird" or make her "difficult to work with."

And yet? Everytime I have meetings with the adults in her life? They tell me how smart she is. And the thing is. I know this to be true. I believe it. And I trust it. I know my daughter is smart.

And I truly don't think they are pulling my leg either when they say it. I don't think they are trying to...pad something for me. I mean, if anything? They sometimes say it in a way, like "Honestly we really didn't know what to expect, but...the gal's pretty smart!"

They rave about her "reading skills" and are impressed that she can name all the musical instruments (something she learned all on her own and simply because she LOVES music), and that she reads all the months of the year and days of the week in circle time, that she reads the words for the weather, and in books, that she names all the people in her class, including all the teachers (and there were about 8 this summer). They talk about how funny she is and her sense of humor.

And the thing is? Despite that long and frustrating list I typed out? And although it can really get my britches in a bundle?

I know this gal is smart. Is witty. Is wise.

She doesn't "look" like or act like most other kids I know. WITH Down syndrome OR without. It can be really puzzling. She's uniquely her own kid. That's for sure.

As Rainer is uniquely his own kid.

As I am. As her father is.

I don't know what I am getting at except to say...we work on a shit ton of stuff. Day to day life takes a lot more patience than I sometimes I have. I don't want to lie about that. Some days, are really flippin' hard.

But the payoffs are good. And I really like this little girl. When she'll let me.

I have faith in her, I fear the future, but I have faith in her.

Ramblin' Rosie.

Comments

[Aubrey]

I've only comment once before and it was about this patient I have who has down syndrome. She came in with her mother to see me again Wednesday and again I was impressed by how articulate and lovely and composed she is. She is probably in her mid twenties. She had her mom had just come back from the special olympics and had stories to tell. they loved each other so much and clearly were so happy together.

i don't know how that relates to anything, but they are just such a beautiful mother daughter team!

[Tracy]

I can so relate to this post. Rachel does not have even the skills you mention for G, but she can sometimes surprise the he'll out of me with what she remembers. If I could only understand what she is saying, I might have more of an inkling into her world, but at seven (almost eight) she struggles with her speech. The tests at school tell me Rachel functions on the level of a two year old, but sometimes she let's me know she can go way beyond that. Everyday is indeed a challenge!

[alisa leahy]

It sounds to me like the teachers have faith in her as well. It sounds to me like Georgia is a real (excuse the pun) peach. You and your family are doing an awsome job!!!!