Sunday, 28 August 2011

Up the dirt road ~ reaching for the stars

I have bloggers block today. Maybe ?
We have a big week ahead.
I have a lot I don't want to or can't talk about because it's scary or sad. I can't articulate my thoughts and emotions into the right words. It is sucking the mental and emotional energy right out of me.
I am staying in the present.

Instead I will tell you about a small boy overcoming adversity. Turning disability into ability.

I met the most inspiring and gorgeous little boy yesterday. T is almost 3 and was born with cerebral palsy. I don't know the full details.

The Drs. told his parents he wouldn't ever EAT (by mouth) or WALK ; NEVER do the things 'normal' little boys do.

How wrong they were ...

At the start of this year his feeding tube, in his stomach, was removed and he started eating food. He polished off apple pie and ice-cream no trouble at all yesterday.

T walks using a walking frame but can bunny hop like a little champion on his knees and using his hands.
He loves riding the motorbike with his dad and driving the car, both in a real car and while being pushed in toy ride on car.

He can talk pretty well too - clearly told me ... " All finished now " as he pushed the plate away when he wanted out of the chair at lunchtime. T drives his matchbox cars and toy trucks around on the ground, in the dirt and all. T only has sisters but clearly loves boy toys.

There is nothing stopping this incredible little boy , except the expectations of others.

He was very cute and engaging, waved and said "goodbye" to me several times with the biggest smile from the front seat of his dad's car.

Yes, he has immense special needs and a long road to travel but he is reaching for the stars.

PS - His parents are required to travel 400kms and back again to medical appointments. They don't get financial help for travel. In the country his splints cost $700 to have fitted, free in Sydney but traveling there costs $500. They still travel to Sydney because they feel the care is better.

(It's disappointing that our government doesn't allocate more resources for children and adults with unique special needs.)

It was a reminder for me to never underestimate what people (even small children) can do to overcome adversity and life challenges. Lucky T was too little to understand the words NEVER or CAN'T or WON'T.

T was the dearest little fellow.
His parents are certainly amazing too , to not listen to Drs. dire predictions.

Why did Drs focus on the things he would never do instead of what he might achieve??

When I think we have problems I only have to look around and see others traveling a much harder path.

It will be ok.

Some days I wish God had called me to be a taste tester at Ben&Jerry's (Mort Skipper) or Cadbury's chocolate factory ...

I am testing out Blogpress from my iPad today.
I am loving my iPad and I want to use it to it's potential.
Do you use Blogpress ?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Comments (11)

Loading... Logging you in...
  • Logged in as
What an amazing little boy! You're absolutely right, no matter how difficult we may think things are in our life there is always someone who has a harder road to travel. I have started using WordPress on my iPhone. Mainly just for responding to comments, it would be a bit too hard to write actual posts on the iPhone I think.
My recent post Bedtime Routines, A Hallmark Recordable Storybook Review and Giveaway
1 reply · active 711 weeks ago
He was a little darling.
I think so too Kate. I still want an iphone (one day).
My recent post Up the dirt road ~ reaching for the stars
I totally hear you, I've been thinking the past week about that poor family in Brisbane who lost so many in the house fire. It certainly put my little problems into perspective.

Still, I hope you travel ok through your week, it sounds daunting.
My recent post 10 steps to a positive body image
1 reply · active 711 weeks ago
I know I was in tears reading Thursday's paper tonight - they prayed God give us STRENGTH to face tomorrow. Horrific.

Thanks Marilyn, my husband is going to have another MRI tomorrow, they rang to say they need more images after last weeks MRI (brain) , he is in God's hands and our prayers.
It's also Charlotte's anniversary this week.
My recent post Up the dirt road ~ reaching for the stars
It angers me when Dr's write off a kid because of statistics.
I was told that Boo would never toilet train, never have functional speech, to take him home and love him.

I remember the sadness in the eyes of the OT when they gave me the news.

If only they could see him now, eh?
1 reply · active 711 weeks ago
Boo is one amazing dude and I am glad he didn't listen to them nor you ...though of course you LOVED him in spite of anything they said.
My recent post Up the dirt road ~ reaching for the stars
I love stories like that :) Friends of mine have twin girls - one "normal", the other was brain damaged at birth and has severe cerebral palsy, amongst other things. She is now 5 and a bit, and has finally just learnt how to drink from a straw, which does actually mean a huge deal for her quality of life.
My recent post Find Me Elsewhere!
1 reply · active 711 weeks ago
Thanks Alyce. It must be hard for the family. I feel for them.
Yes, I remember a girl in my youth group "Martha" she was so determined to drink herself using a straw and not be sipped a drink at someone's else's pace.
My recent post Up the dirt road ~ reaching for the stars
I love This story.

Let me know how you go with photos from blogpress, mine seem to reduce in resoltution and not look so good.
1 reply · active 711 weeks ago
Thanks Claire
I will let you know. I had to work out how to do it first , then try photos.
My recent post Up the dirt road ~ reaching for the stars
Bring on the NDIS

Post a new comment

Comments by