When I was growing up, I was oblivious to "Special needs Kids", I never knew that there were kids that even had to be in wheelchairs! My days consisted of Riding one of our many horses, taking care of the pigs, playing sports and swimming at the river. I could do all of these things by myself at the age of 8 with no help!
When my son First came home all the "bad" memories of my childhood flashed front of me, and I knew I could end the bad cycle and he would never have to experience those things...If I had anything to do with it, he was going to have the best time of his life!
So when my son was diagnosed with Duchenne, the "good memories" I had as a child flashed in my brain like a movie.....I couldn't control these experiences, INDEPENDENCE! Would he never have that?!
The school district offered us a bus to and from school, that terrified me! How could my 3 1/2 year old son get on a bus with a total stranger, drive around town and then get off at school by himself!? I kept telling myself, what if he falls, he's too young, he will be scared, and my "I cant's" went on and on and on.... I finally met the driver, who was an absolute ANGEL, she assured me that he would enjoy it and that I shouldn't do anything I wasn't comfortable with...BUT give him a chance to have his freedom and to experience riding the bus..
This morning was our first day of Bus service, so Nicholas and I talked about getting on the bus and Mommy waiting here for him to come home from school. I thought he was going to cry. Well I was wrong!!! He waited patiently at the driveway, when he saw the bus he started yelling"yeah the little yellow bus", "can I ride it please mommy, please"! I knew right then and there, he needs his own memories not MINE!
He got on the little yellow bus with no problems, then Isabella our 19 month old daughter starts crying. She starts saying"no brother, don't go"! I started crying just as bad as her! We waited and waved at him as the bus was driving away and he was looking at us with a smile. I waved and then Isabella waved and said"bye bye brother"
I cant wait for him to come home and tell me all about his day and his experience....because it will be a good memory of the little yellow bus!
when Nicholas came home, he got off the bus turned around and watched the bus drive away, he was yelling bye bus, see you latter elevator(thats how he says aligator). I am such a lucky mom!
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIs it not a great feeling seeing the utmost uncontrollable excitement they have coming off the bus.. Though my bubba cannot walk his happiness and joy everyday coming home from school and "the yellow bus" there are no words to show how happy he is. As much as we want our children to live as normal of a life they can and we push for that there is a little mini me inside us that holds all the fear. I followed the bus the first day to school. That first week I did not cry until his 1st bus ride. I too drilled the bus station his am and pm driver and assistant's, but the tears came as my panic was over come with tears see'n the same smiles and raspberries being blown as the ramp lowered him from the bus to his classroom aide... That is a feeling of peace and happiness and reality that my baby is growing up and is no longer a baby and need'n his momma little less...
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