Praying for strength

As Addie gets closer to turning two, I have officially started her preschool search. There are a few schools in town that have been highly recommended by friends that are on my list to visit. I called one today and was warmly greeted and as we were about to set up my visit, I mentioned that Addie has Down Syndrome. The receptionist stopped the visit talk and said it would be best for me to talk to the owner/director.  I hope that I misunderstood her pause and shift in conversation.  I try to remain optimistic as I await her call.

I have been through this before with one other school,  but I did not expect it today. My heart was again broken by the stereotypes that are placed on my daughter. I remember looking for schools for Tyler and feeling that they were selling themselves to me and now I feel the opposite. Why should I have to sell them on accepting my daughter? She is perfectly created and there is so much more to her than just her 47th chromosome. Perhaps these people who do not feel equipped to teach Addie have never met someone with Down Syndrome because if they have, I am positive they would feel differently. I know that if they met my Addie, they would love her just as we do.

As I continue this search for the perfect school for Addie, I pray for the strength of a warrior. I know I am in for a fight but I know Addie deserves to go to a "regular" preschool as much as any other kid and I know she will succeed. I just want someone to give her a chance and I promise they will not be disappointed.

We have a walker on our hands!

Today started like any other... Jeff taking Tyler to school and me getting myself and Addie ready for Physical Therapy. I love our PT and I was telling her how I was having difficulty with some of Addie's exercises. By difficulty, I mean Addie would scream and cry and grip on to me until I gave up. Yikes! I have been battling with myself whether I should push her beyond the tears or just be her Momma and wait until she is ready to do things. I chose the Momma role, so lately we have been pretty lax about therapy practice and we have just been having fun and letting her do things on her own time. I chose to believe in Addie and her abilities. Anyway, back to PT time. In the middle of the session, Addie walked! Not just a few steps, but 16 strong and steady steps!

When Jeff got home, we had Addie walk back and forth between us and she walked 21 steps!!! She even walked by herself across the living room to her bathroom for bathtime. I know that mostly everyone's kids walk eventually, but I promise you this is different. This is magical. Addie went from taking 2-3 quick and unsteady steps one day to walking across the house the next. When she walked to me she hugged me so close and laughed and clapped her hands. She was thrilled with herself. Yes, my darling, you should be proud!

There is something amazing about being a parent to a child with special needs. You get to have these moments that are so ordinary for others, feel like they were heaven sent. Addie is amazing. I am so thankful she chose this day to start walking. I will never forget it. I am also so glad she chose me to be her Momma!

I will post a video soon... hopefully :)