I have to apologize for the time between posts. I've lost my summer gig at the golf course, or to be more precise, I wasn't asked back to work , and for the last month I've been suffering a bit of an existential crisis. For all my failings the one thing I've always been proud of is that I could work my butt off to help support my family. Plus I really liked the work. I've been a little depressed and I like to have my blog be a place of hope so I haven't written in a while.
On to better things.
My son David, as many of you know, has low-functioning autism. While his attitude is better than anyone I've ever met he can't do a whole lot of the things that we take for granted as parents and as human beings, so every little milestone is *HUGE* to us. Communication through speech is one of those things. David isn't quiet, he can vocalize with the best of 'em. He has a wookie-like noise, a Gamera-like noise and a Paul Stanley like yodel. But...
We got a word out of David... kind of. He says "bubbles". It's actually more like "bubba" and while the "b" consonant sound has always been in his arsenal he uses "bubba" to get us to blow more bubbles which means that he's not just vocalizing. Dude loves bubbles. They have to be real live bubbles though. I tried to get him to watch Lawrence Welk and he didn't even seem to care about the music much less those two dimensional bubbles. His teacher called me the second she heard him say "bubbles" for the first time. We can't get our hopes up that he will ever speak more than a few words because there are consonants that seem impossible for him to handle, but we won't give up hope either.
The other form of communication is rudimentary signing and we got a little of that too. The Boo-Monster signed "more" when he was at school and wanted more food at lunch. They have video footage of this so we know it to be true.
Speaking of lunch he's finally mastered the art of the drinking straw. One of those activities that we might think of as being as easy as breathing. I have realized that it is not. David's been trying for years but now he has it.
I saved the best for last : The other day David put on my shoes and walked around in them and then came to get me to give him a bath. That is as close to neuro-typically imaginative play as he's ever gotten. It blew my mind.
As soon as I figure out how to walk in his shoes, metaphorically speaking, we'll make even more progress.
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David rocks!!! Next up: bubbles through a straw when he blows into his milk instead of sucking!!! Trust me! It's coming soon... As always, your writing gave me a much better insight into the Boos world! Love and kisses on his sweet and innocent little head. What a champ! Team David!!
ReplyDeleteAgain you've taken my stern exterior (albeit soft) and reminded me of the truly important things in life. Rock Solid Sir!
ReplyDeleteWOW! That's a jam-packed post! Inspiring as usual!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have ALWAYS wondered how babies naturally know how to use a sippy cup. Seriously. So, this whole straw thing with David has really started me thinking about this topic again. I don't understand it. I, personally, can NOT suck on those squirt bottles when running (it goes all over my face), so I think David knows something I don't. I need the secret from the Boo!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Shawn! I'm always silenced and humbled by your blogs and how much we all take for granted.I envied you the vision of your son in your shoes.It was a long time ago for us.
ReplyDeleteThis is way The BOO was gifted to the world.To open our eyes.
Love
Shannon Tweed
I'm so happy David's doing so well! I'll never see bubbles the same way again.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful. Go, David, we are all in your corner, buddy!
ReplyDeleteHi Shawn, thanks for sharing your life with us! Even though we have different live's, I can relate to depression, with todays fast pace life, with keeping up with work/family/kids/paying bills/social life and so on. Feeling overwhelmed can be a natural reaction. I have been a single parent since my divorce 14yrs. ago and it has been great/difficult/scary/joyful/and everything in between! I support you doing what it takes to de-stress if that is what you need. David is taken care of well...awesome dad! Sending David and you a cyber hug! Keep on Shawn!
ReplyDeleteYou know, the last time I checked, your blog was already a place of hope just because of what you've written about David, and the countless small victories he achieves every day.
ReplyDeleteHowever, your blog can also be a place to yell and cry and throw things, especially since it's infinitely better for you to write about the events in your life that cause you distress, rather than holding it all inside.
Just sayin. ;)
Father Wizard!! Hang in there and many blessing on you son, David. I work with kids like that from time to time so I know of the challenges. Greetings from Sherwood, Oregon. Some day we hope you can see the Robin Hood Festival!
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