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GET TO KNOW COLE: I know it’s cliché, but it is true—our children grow up quickly and time goes by too fast! Now granted my oldest is only six years old, but the other day as I watched him playing in the backyard, catapulting down the waterslide with the sun on his back and a smile on his face, he was just Cole…my little boy, big brother to three. He was thrilled to have gotten control of the hose and was spraying his brother and neighborhood friend, chasing them around the yard, laughing and enjoying the innocence of youth on a hot summer’s day. I love the times when I can “forget” about Down syndrome. Deep down I knew that in an hour and a half we were off to therapy, lugging a car-full of kids to a 45 minute session of speech. But for now he was just one of the boys and it kept me smiling the rest of the day. As the summer draws to a close, I have mixed feelings about the return to routine. Cole will be off to first grade, spending an entire school day in the care of others! He thrives on pleasing people though and he enjoys the academic world. Although his speech is quite delayed, he is reading the same assignments and passed the same curriculum as his kindergarten peers. He will be fully included in first grade with an aide by his side and pulled out of the classroom only when needed. I couldn’t be more proud of what he has accomplished already. He has mastered my IPhone, every electronic device and computer in the house and loves to hike, swim and listen to music. (Cole has been to 21 National Parks already!) He tortures his brothers and baby sister on a daily basis, but what six year old doesn’t?! He is obsessed with Star Wars, loves to watch movies and had a blast playing Challenger baseball this summer. I realized quickly that the future is unknown for all of our children when they are born. Down syndrome or no down syndrome, we steer them, guide them, set examples along the way, pick them up if they need it, and love and support them, providing them with a successful mold to build upon. Cole amazes me every day—sometimes for the better and sometimes not! Six years ago, would I have thought all this to be possible? Probably not! But Cole has made it happen and I am sure he will continue to walk (and run!) down his chosen path, with a grin on his face! NEW BUDDY WALK PHOTOS View Photos OUR GOALS
Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana |
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