5.31.12 A champion

Yesterday was Aimee's very first school field trip. I debated back on forth on whether or not to take her. Partly due to a long napless day for Caleb, but mostly because it was 50/50 on how Aimee would respond. Would she just fall asleep as soon we got to this unknown place or would she enjoy it in some way?

We drove out to Padilla Bay in the morning and pulled into the parking lot of the Interpretive Center behind the school bus. As soon as I opened the car door we could hear all the excited kids and Aimee lit up. She smiled and kicked as the nurse walked her through the different rooms. Her best friend Alyah brought her seashells and pine cones to feel. Aimee was having a great time.

Then we headed down to the sand. I couldn't take her chair all the way down as it was a sandy slope, but her PT was there and helped carry her down into the sand. At first, Aimee just sat there. We buried her feet in sand and she was still. As we played with the sea grass, a bucket of sea water, and the sand, Aimee started to show enjoyment. She smiled and moved her toes and fingers. What a joy to see! I was so impressed and so was her PT. Aimee was working hard to participate and show her excitement. The PT kept saying to Aimee over and over, "you are a champion".

My whole opinion of this therapist changed at that moment. She is so right. Movements and reactions that are simplistic and "no-brainer" for us, are feats for Aimee to attempt. She lives in a world that speedily moves on around her and she is hyper aware of it. She can hardly see, sounds are muffled, and her own brain doesn't know how to communicate with the rest of her body. BUT she is so tuned in to where she is at every moment. Her attention is captured by the scents, the temperatures, the movements, the pressures, and the moods. Aimee gets life and joyfully works hard to participate in it. Aimee is truly a champion.