Conquering Stairs Today, Mountains Tomorrow

Here she is folks, basking in the glory and glee of finally figuring out how to get all the way up the stairs! Pure joy here, pure satisfaction, in one day figuring out how to get from the very bottom to the very top ALL BY HERSELF!!! The very next day going down, down, down ALL BY HERSELF!!! While her 4 year old sister stands nearby crying in fear for her sister that she may fall (now thats sisterly love for you!) And let me tell you about it, no, let HER tell you about it. You may not understand much of the discussion, but maybe a few words, pizza, teta (Arabic for grandmother), Alhamdullilah (All Praise is due to God), but none the less, she is going to go on and on about how excited she is to be conquering the stairs. She will even come get you and lead you to show you her latest feat, as she did today when her occupational therapist came for her weekly appointment. ZIP!!! As soon as Alyse walks in the door Y, is crawling frantically to the stairs to show her latest and greatest trick.

This is big, bigger than the drawer thing, which to us, was big. In just one week, after figuring out those blasted stairs we have seen a domino affect in her speach, behavior, and motor skills. It was like, click=click, and she was off and running!

I think the best part about it is, she understands that it is big. She understands the 'click' and is so enthuised and confident with it and doesn't second guess it (like we would, or do.) She just goes with the natural flow of developing and enjoying it when it comes. She is so proud of what she is doing now. We are so proud of her, with caution of course, but still proud. I can't express to anyone in words, when a parent has a special needs child and that child begins to blossom and mature and change and you watch them grow and be 'ok', ok with themselves and with the way they were meant to be. It is an experience that literally feels like someone is squeezing your heart. Squeezing it with love and joy and awe, looking at this wonderful little person in front of you who maybe 20 years ago would have been put in an orphanage (not by me!) or some kind of home and told to the parents that they will never be anything. BOLDERDASH!!! I tell you! They can do ANYTHING they want with hardwork, dedication and lots and lots of love. Oh today it just may be a staircase, but tomorrow, tomorrow she just may conquer climbing a mountain...