Hope for Baby Bennett: The end of an era

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

The end of an era

3 1/2 years ago, this little 7-month old dude was evaluated by our local Regional center and determined to be really, really behind. We began twice a week Physical Therapy and once a week Occupational Therapy Sessions in our home. And so began Bodie's upward climb. Bodie was SO clingy that he would not even let me leave the room. It would be months before he would let me out of his sight while working with our amazing therapist, Tam.

At around 18 months, he transitioned out of OT and to center based PT, and started Two Steps, a special needs pre-preschool program 2 mornings a week. He did that for 3 months and then started TWISP, the development preschool he would stay at until he turned 3 and aged out of Regional Center services and moved to a traditional preschool.

Through it all, he continued weekly PT sessions with Tam.

Until now.

Today, he officially graduated from Physical Therapy. The last special service he was getting due to his rough start. Because he doesn't need therapy anymore. Because he's doing awesome. You know, no big whoop. Ok, maybe it's kind of a big whoop. This kid was SO far behind when he started therapy. SO FAR BEHIND. Months behind.

So, to be caught up, yep, that's a pretty big deal.

I am so stinking proud of how far this kid has come.

So is Tam, who has seen this kid through so.dang.much.

And, I think, maybe, just maybe, this little guy is a little bit excited, too.

Thank you to Tam, and the entire crew at TherapyWest, who have grown our boy into more than we ever imagined or dreamed. Thanks for loving him as much as we do. We've been so blessed by you.

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The Chosen Mothers by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you." No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps -"Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them." She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."