The Special Olympics

I had two athletes in the Special Olympics this year, and that was enough reason to take the time off of work, and to take the oldest boy out of school. When your children are Special Needs, there aren't Holiday Plays (nee Christmas Plays) and school functions that it really works well to be a part of, or are even included in. We try to go to things, or we used to, but as time passes I guess even we give up a little at going mainstream.

It was hot, too hot for special little guys who have trouble waiting and understanding concepts like patience. I actually kinda think that next year we should volunteer to split up and help out the individual classes, the kids get so bored and frustrated waiting.

Miles teacher was able to take the moderate kids over to the play area though, and that was a great distraction.

Eventually our heats came up. If you don't know how it works, they divide the athletes into groups and you go in your little groups through the various activities.

My Charlie is in the severe autism class. It has a level number - level 1? I forget. But his group only did the race because it was a really long wait, and everyone was super cranky. Plus Charlie was scared when the race started by all the noise. That's my sweet Charlie covering his ears and screaming.

But before you think his day was all bad, let me assure you it wasn't. After all - he got to see one of his old teachers and despite being upset during the race he left it behind him (rare for my little guy on the Spectrum, being upset doesn't always fade so fast).

That's his teacher in the white shirt behind him. Laura - she's TOTALLY FRAU REISINGER. That's all I'm saying. Inside joke, sorry.

At the end there are awards and everyone gets to be celebrated. Even little boys who don't want to go down the track.

Miles did much better, he got to play all the games and won more than one ribbon which his interest was mediocre at best.

He even won a second place ribbon for something but I have no idea what. Long jump? Good grief I'm a terrible parent I don't know. I suppose it doesn't matter, I did see him win it after all. Obviously the pic below isn't second place.

That's a lot of pictures for one day out. But, my oldest and youngest do a lot of things. I plaster my FB and my plurk and instagram with images of them, doing this doing that going here going there. Along for the ride always, are Miles and Charlie. Today was one of those rare days, that they brought us along with them. 

We were all glad to come.

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The Special Olympics

I had two athletes in the Special Olympics this year, and that was enough reason to take the time off of work, and to take the oldest boy out of school. When your children are Special Needs, there aren't Holiday Plays (nee Christmas Plays) and school functions that it really works well to be a part of, or are even included in. We try to go to things, or we used to, but as time passes I guess even we give up a little at going mainstream.

It was hot, too hot for special little guys who have trouble waiting and understanding concepts like patience. I actually kinda think that next year we should volunteer to split up and help out the individual classes, the kids get so bored and frustrated waiting.

Miles teacher was able to take the moderate kids over to the play area though, and that was a great distraction.

Eventually our heats came up. If you don't know how it works, they divide the athletes into groups and you go in your little groups through the various activities.

My Charlie is in the severe autism class. It has a level number - level 1? I forget. But his group only did the race because it was a really long wait, and everyone was super cranky. Plus Charlie was scared when the race started by all the noise. That's my sweet Charlie covering his ears and screaming.

But before you think his day was all bad, let me assure you it wasn't. After all - he got to see one of his old teachers and despite being upset during the race he left it behind him (rare for my little guy on the Spectrum, being upset doesn't always fade so fast).

That's his teacher in the white shirt behind him. Laura - she's TOTALLY FRAU REISINGER. That's all I'm saying. Inside joke, sorry.

At the end there are awards and everyone gets to be celebrated. Even little boys who don't want to go down the track.

Miles did much better, he got to play all the games and won more than one ribbon which his interest was mediocre at best.

He even won a second place ribbon for something but I have no idea what. Long jump? Good grief I'm a terrible parent I don't know. I suppose it doesn't matter, I did see him win it after all. Obviously the pic below isn't second place.

That's a lot of pictures for one day out. But, my oldest and youngest do a lot of things. I plaster my FB and my plurk and instagram with images of them, doing this doing that going here going there. Along for the ride always, are Miles and Charlie. Today was one of those rare days, that they brought us along with them. 

We were all glad to come.

Tweet

Bowling Champions of a Sort

I'm sort of torn when maybe I should be happy. But it's a lot to take in, BOTH of your twins being autistic. The odds of it are actually quite low - so you know, we got dealt a rather unfair hand when it all comes down to it.

You do get used to things, the short bus for instance. It's the stuff of jokes and ridicule - the kids and friends who are not YOURS ride the short bus. Because they're stupid right?

No, not really. They are unable to function as you do. But it's not nearly as funny that way, I know. But we're rather accustomed to the short bus. And the things that come with Special Education - the things that no parent ever actually wants to know anything about, given their druthers.

But, when the forms came home - the permission slips for them to participate in the Special Olympics - it nearly broke us. Who WANTS that? Who WANTS their children in the damn Special Olympics? I don't. I suppose if I were a better person I'd suck it up and smile but if you want honesty - then no.

I don't want them in it.

Too late.

And despite my heartbreak over the situation - the stigma which SHOULD NOT exist yet does....when their teacher told me that my Baby Birth of Cool LOVES to bowl - and she just beamed when she said it, I knew I couldn't actually deny them this.

There is part of your pride that says NO! NOT MY CHILDREN! And then there is the reality check when they skip down the driveway to get on that little short bus, and they get strapped in - for their own safety - and you realize yeah - My Children.

My children were in the Special Olympics. And despite being heartbroken .....

.....I am so so proud of them.

Bowling Champions of a Sort

I'm sort of torn when maybe I should be happy. But it's a lot to take in, BOTH of your twins being autistic. The odds of it are actually quite low - so you know, we got dealt a rather unfair hand when it all comes down to it.

You do get used to things, the short bus for instance. It's the stuff of jokes and ridicule - the kids and friends who are not YOURS ride the short bus. Because they're stupid right?

No, not really. They are unable to function as you do. But it's not nearly as funny that way, I know. But we're rather accustomed to the short bus. And the things that come with Special Education - the things that no parent ever actually wants to know anything about, given their druthers.

But, when the forms came home - the permission slips for them to participate in the Special Olympics - it nearly broke us. Who WANTS that? Who WANTS their children in the damn Special Olympics? I don't. I suppose if I were a better person I'd suck it up and smile but if you want honesty - then no.

I don't want them in it.

Too late.

And despite my heartbreak over the situation - the stigma which SHOULD NOT exist yet does....when their teacher told me that my Baby Birth of Cool LOVES to bowl - and she just beamed when she said it, I knew I couldn't actually deny them this.

There is part of your pride that says NO! NOT MY CHILDREN! And then there is the reality check when they skip down the driveway to get on that little short bus, and they get strapped in - for their own safety - and you realize yeah - My Children.

My children were in the Special Olympics. And despite being heartbroken .....

.....I am so so proud of them.