Romans 5: 1-5
Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Our family has tried to teach Charlie how to ride a bike since he was about 5. He is now 12. We tried every kind of training wheels at first. They were always too distracting to Charlie. We tried to let go, he fell. We tried to tell him to focus and look ahead. He looked every which way except forward. We told him to not talk about rollercoasters during bike riding so he could focus. He would talk about all different kinds of things. Well this summer a great opportunity came our way. The Down Syndrome Foundation of Central Florida was offering a bike camp for a week through ICanShine.org for students with disabilities. I thought this is our shot. I signed up Charlie.
The camp is only 1 week and you go Monday – Friday and each session is 75 minutes. It is amazing! They wean him from an adaptive bike to a regular bike and wean their buddies as the week goes on. By Wednesday they said, “Ok mom, he is ready to go outside on a regular bike”. I said, “Are you sure? Is it safe out here in the parking lot?” They assured me he was ready. I was so nervous. I thought we have worked on this skill for 7 years. My stomach was churning, but I stayed out of their way. Charlie got on a regular cruiser bike with a red handle on the back for the leader to spot him as he started. She was talking to him, giving him instructions of what he was to do and encouraging him. They started to move and I lifted my hands to my mouth so nervously. I heard Charlie say, “don’t leave me”. Then in about 30 seconds she let go and the whole crowd started cheering and I gasped. Tears started to flood my face. I thought, “do you know all the things he can do now if he can ride a bike?” It was such a sweet moment. Charlie got off the bike and he shot his arm up in the air and said, “I did it! I mastered a two wheeler!” I was so proud and so was he.
Sometimes we work on skills for weeks, months, and even years so when they make that achievement it is so sweet! You remember it so much more when you don’t take those things for granted. It brings us hope because it doesn’t come easily but we know that in God’s timing all things are possible. God has taught me so much in the “waiting period”. When things just come easily I am not learning as much as when I am waiting. It is not easy. It can be painful, but it is so sweet when it finally comes. Isn’t progress so sweet?
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Woo Hoo for Charlie! Sweet, sweet, sweet!
Yes, progress is sweet. My daughter has global developmental delays, cognitive delays and several musculoskeletal malformations. She is 2 1/2 years old and just learned to roll over this week in physical therapy. My hubby and I are counting our blessings. Even the “small things” elicit HUGE responses from us. We celebrate with you for your son. Some things our daughter may never learn due to her illnesses, but we are thankful for what she can learn.
It is so true Denie, being appreciative of just the smallest accomplishments! So blessed that God opens our eyes to such sweetness that others may never see:)
My son went through a similar program. He was about 8, but way too big for normal kid training wheels. We were SO excited that he was able to learn to ride a bike! Now we can include him when we bike to 7-11 or to the 4th of July parade. It is truly exciting to watch them grow! Their battles are so hard-won.
That is awesome! I forgot to write too that on the final day I asked him what did he want to do special for such a great accomplishment (ice cream, a toy…) he said, “mom we can ride bikes together as a family”. So precious… out of the mouth of babes! So true their battles are so hard-won, so well said.
I have always loved that verse, so much hope in it! I will say that we are the parents of a 6 year old who is nonverbal with autism. Six years doesn’t seem like a long time in the scheme of things but our son was diagnosed at 18 months old and we have been active in this diagnosis from day 1! I feel like I could write books and books on what we have learned so far. That being said I think one thing I would like to start doing is to write a journal or timeline, as I can get stuck in the here and now . Lets take potty training for instance. I feel like we have been potty training forever!!!!!!!!!!!! Mostly because Ethan is time trained which means we have a timer in our house that goes off every 1hr 1/2 that tells him its time for a potty break. We are no where near #2 trained due to chronic bowel issues. I had to remind myself that yes it feels like we have been potty training forever but in reality it has only been a year and a half which means a year and a half ago Ethan didn’t even know what we expected him to do on a potty and we would sit for hours with nothing ! (Thank you ABA teachers for helping him learn that skill). The long hard work we are doing now may take a lot of baby steps but hopefully when he is 12….16…….18….. We are not changing adult man diapers . I get stuck in my timing for Ethan’s skills and have trouble not comparing him to his much younger sister who can master things so fast. I really believe God has a great plan for Ethan and can’t wait to see what it is .But until then I will TRY to be still and enjoy the things I am being taught through the every day of this journey. LOVE NOT ALONE 🙂
Autismmom06,
Yes journal… It is so helpful to read back and see progress. When we as moms are so in it of course we can see some progress but when you read your thoughts on things and what he may have done in the past and now doesn’t do or has learned to do it is encouraging for the journey. I felt the same way about potty training. It took us almost 4 years, then another 1 – 1/2 years for no night accidents. One of the hardest things I have done especially the time I decided I would be FULLY committed and go by the timer. I still now 6 years later almost smile and still haven’t taken it for granted when he walks in the bathroom and goes all by himself. I never did that with my daughter… she basically learned over a weekend practically and it wasn’t thought of much after that… years later I am still reminded of how long and HARD-WON it was for both of us:) and still appreciate such an important daily life skills task.
Thanks for sharing and YOU CAN DO IT! We are here to encourage one another on all of our unique journeys.