Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
Look at this progress!! And swipe through for a great recap of the process and how we feel about it. 😆
As we left preschool last week, Lydia and I walked down the hall towards the school doors like we always do. As we got closer to the outside doors, I noticed that her legs were turning to jello--she had worked so. hard. in class that day. Crawling through tunnels, pushing a baby doll in a stroller, walking a lap around the halls with minimal support, and then all the general play toddlers do, besides. I took pity and swung that girl up on my hip. "Lydie, you did SO GOOD today! Do you like preschool?" She answered with a grin, and her happy babble.
Of all the beautiful emotions this child brings out in me, one of the greatest is respect--incredible respect. I see in her an eternal spirit that came to earth to a body with some challenges, but she takes those challenges head on and always has. She has to work several times harder for skills we all take for granted. I'm sure it's frustrating and exhausting but she is one determined little fighter and she persists! With a smile on her face and love in her heart for everyone. And it's paying off. I was working out the other day thinking how uncomfortable exercise is... but then I thought of Lydie; her current fight to walk, and the many other battles she wages. Respect. Suddenly the ability to move my body was a privilege instead of a chore, and, like so often happens, my daughter was inspiring me and helping me grow, instead of the other way around.
She's not quite walking independently yet, but she stands for short periods of time, and she has started refusing the two-hand assist and will only let us hold ONE hand, so I imagine we're not too far off. 😀
