Norm Meyer, who was the original owner of Midway Entertainment, a traveling amusement park business, wanted to do something for the community. He created a day specifically for individuals with disabilities to enjoy his amusements rides. Organized by the Orland Park Lions Club, one day each year, the Orland Days Carnival is open for special needs individuals and their chaperones. Imagine over 1,000 people of all ages with disabilities converging on a carnival. Sounds like fun, right.
The 1st year Mitchell's early childhood class attended (3yrs ago) I was overwhelmed and saddened. I had never seen so many people with so my challenges in my life. I avoided eye contact with most and tried to minimize Mitchell's obstacles in my head, I think to convince myself he was not like these other people. How could he be? He was my little boy and perfect and certainly he wasn't going to grow up and be as limited as what I am seeng here. As with most of my encounters with disabled adults, I went to my car & cried at the end of the day.
Boy how things change! Today I took on the carnival like we had been going our whole lives. I was excited to be in a place where Mitchell and all his quirks were accepted and basically ignored because everyone else had their own stuff going on. Everyone smiling at us and making me happy that there are so many people around in the same situation we are in. All the volunteers were super friendly and looked happy to be there as well. I am in awe at all the generous hearts willing to give their time to make someone else's day better. It was so comforting, not scary or depressing like it was 3yrs ago.
The first time I met my 2 great friends Ingrid and Nicole was that first trip to the carnival and today we chatted and walked around as if we were there with our other typical children -well no not really-but we did have conversations about things other than our kids. We were able to talk to the teachers outside of school and also ran into chaperones from Tri-County SRA and they let us know how excited they are summer camp will be starting soon and they can see the boys again. There's this whole new family we belong to in this world that was so foreign to us such a short time ago.
Unfortunately, Mitchell decided he wasn't riding any of the rides he usually loves. After jamming out in the food tent with extremely loud DJ and well balanced meal of bacon, chips and cheez-its, I had a dad set to take him on the tilt-a-whirl a zillion times but he dropped to the ground in disgust. We managed to get him on the Dizzy Dragon with his speech path, the stationary motorcycles and the bumper cars -he even said bumper a few times while in line- and that was it. I think it was a combo of he cold, rain and the tall attractions you climb being closed that helped him decide relatively early it was time to go home.
It was a great way to end the school year and see how far we have all come. Thank you Norm Meyer (and Orland Park) for making our day special!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Summer Vacation
It is finally here, Summer vacation. It's great not to have homework and not packing lunches in the morning but what the heck are we going to do for 3 months? Now begins the turning down of invites to BBQs, picnics and reunions. No playset, pool or fence or evn too many rules, and the Ivey's can't attend. I dread Summer vacation every year. My stomachs turns into knots and I am overridden with guilt. Ugh.
The regular school year has ended but Mitchell starts summer school next Monday 8-12pm for 3 weeks. Not much the rest of us can do before noon then we need to fill the time until daddy gets home from work. Camp starts when school ends and then at east we have until 3pm to get out of the house. Maybe swim at Aunt Maureen's, zoo, public pool, things we usually can't enjoy fully with Mitchell along. Of course Mitchell enjoys these activities but the dynamics of the family are different when we need to keep an eye on him and there's usually no slowing down. I think its important to let the kids have my full attention at times. Camp ends by August and the we are relatively housebound until school starts up again on the 21st. I am tired already.
Therapies are smack in the middle of the days M-W so the kids needs can't be driven places while the sitter is at the house and no water activities then either. I use the phrases, not now, no we can't, and maybe later quite a bit in the Summer and I hate it. They understand why Mitchell needs therapy but I'm afraid sooner or later they will become resentful of the time it takes up and my attention it takes away.
The good news about the summer is Grace will go in our backyard without me, unlike the past years and she can swim with floaties solo too. I might be able to work on my tan a bit more! We have several water devices set up to play when we are home and there aren't too many rules in our own backyard. I'm sure I worry too much about it and the kids don't even notice the disruptions but i can't help but worry constantly about how this affects them too.
The regular school year has ended but Mitchell starts summer school next Monday 8-12pm for 3 weeks. Not much the rest of us can do before noon then we need to fill the time until daddy gets home from work. Camp starts when school ends and then at east we have until 3pm to get out of the house. Maybe swim at Aunt Maureen's, zoo, public pool, things we usually can't enjoy fully with Mitchell along. Of course Mitchell enjoys these activities but the dynamics of the family are different when we need to keep an eye on him and there's usually no slowing down. I think its important to let the kids have my full attention at times. Camp ends by August and the we are relatively housebound until school starts up again on the 21st. I am tired already.
Therapies are smack in the middle of the days M-W so the kids needs can't be driven places while the sitter is at the house and no water activities then either. I use the phrases, not now, no we can't, and maybe later quite a bit in the Summer and I hate it. They understand why Mitchell needs therapy but I'm afraid sooner or later they will become resentful of the time it takes up and my attention it takes away.
The good news about the summer is Grace will go in our backyard without me, unlike the past years and she can swim with floaties solo too. I might be able to work on my tan a bit more! We have several water devices set up to play when we are home and there aren't too many rules in our own backyard. I'm sure I worry too much about it and the kids don't even notice the disruptions but i can't help but worry constantly about how this affects them too.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Squishies
Since early intervention we have been aware that Mitchell responds very well to deep pressure. During an OT play group I was told by the therapist she has never met someone who is so responsive. A little massage of the shoulders or tight squeeze and a cranky boy turns into smiles and can continue his activity. This has always been plus for us/him knowing an easy calming method that can really be performed anywhere with little supplies.
Lately though Mitchell has been seeking out deep pressure, or squishies, as well call them a lot. Multiple times a day for the last few weeks he has been getting frustrated when an ipad game doesn't work his way or a Lego set falls apart. It takes a few times of the same behavior for me to click what he needs to calm down. I'll say "Mitchell do you want squishies?" and he'll run to the couch or a bedroom and dive under the pillow. I then take the pillows and wrap them around or cover him and put all my weight into it. You would think I'd be smothering him but the heavier the better for Mitchell. Think of it like a great massage after a hard day at work, how your body just melts and feels better. That's what I imagine this is like for him, you can see his face light up with satisfaction.
Yesterday he started grabbing my hand, prior to having a meltdown, and bringing me to a squishy place, diving under the pillows and pulling me on top of him. What a great accomplishment this is for all of us! Coping skills have always been a struggle for Mitchell and he is finally figuring out what he needs to stay calm before the freak out happens. of course today one of us was practically sitting on him most of the day but it was working.
I keep wishing we could get a Temple Grandin squeeze machine and he would be all set to go out on his own. She had one in college and functioned quite well. If only it was that easy...baby steps.
Lately though Mitchell has been seeking out deep pressure, or squishies, as well call them a lot. Multiple times a day for the last few weeks he has been getting frustrated when an ipad game doesn't work his way or a Lego set falls apart. It takes a few times of the same behavior for me to click what he needs to calm down. I'll say "Mitchell do you want squishies?" and he'll run to the couch or a bedroom and dive under the pillow. I then take the pillows and wrap them around or cover him and put all my weight into it. You would think I'd be smothering him but the heavier the better for Mitchell. Think of it like a great massage after a hard day at work, how your body just melts and feels better. That's what I imagine this is like for him, you can see his face light up with satisfaction.
Yesterday he started grabbing my hand, prior to having a meltdown, and bringing me to a squishy place, diving under the pillows and pulling me on top of him. What a great accomplishment this is for all of us! Coping skills have always been a struggle for Mitchell and he is finally figuring out what he needs to stay calm before the freak out happens. of course today one of us was practically sitting on him most of the day but it was working.
I keep wishing we could get a Temple Grandin squeeze machine and he would be all set to go out on his own. She had one in college and functioned quite well. If only it was that easy...baby steps.
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