The Shepherd Who Stole the Show

Tonight was Tannehill School's Christmas program. An excerpt from the story was read followed by each class singing two songs. The pre-school and kindergarten were dressed as characters from the manger scene. Grant was a shepherd. Programs have never really been Grant's thing. He can't sing the words to the songs. His global apraxia (which affects all motor planning) makes it difficult for him to do the arm motions. In my eyes, if he stands on stage and faces the right direction and keeps from distracting the rest of the class, it's a success. Tonight was pretty successful. Ms. Wendy only had to re-direct him a few times through his classes portion of the program. He stood on the riser facing the front (most of the time) and in the end of the second song, even attempted a few of the motions. However, Danny and I could sense trouble brewing. We could see the gleam in his eye. I am not sure who decided to have him stand on the riser instead of on the stage, but that is neither here nor there. As his class was exiting stage right, Grant had been good as long as he could stand it. That's when he launched himself off of the risers on stage left, landing on his stomach on the stage. The whole crowd gasped (except Danny and I). Ms. Wendy rushed to his aid. As she was picking him up, Grant looks at me with a GIANT grin on his face and yells, "I FINE, MOMMA!" The crowd burst into laughter and applause. My mom and I laughed until we cried. Oh that boy! Many may not realize it, but those three little words that Grant yelled were HUGE! H U G E ! ! ! Yes, he caused a "scene", but I couldn't be more proud. For an apraxic child to be able to put together a spontaneous, complete sentence and yell it out in front of a crowd of hundreds is amazing and a fete to be celebrated! There were several there who understood the greatness of the moment and commented on how clear his speech was. Those comments and understanding blessed this little momma's heart more than words can describe. You see, part of those tears that were shed by me were of pride and thanksgiving. One word, one sentence, one "scene" at a time he is getting there. He is beating apraxia. Oh. That. Boy...

Halloween 2014

Best Halloween yet! Every year, I have picked out Grant's Halloween costume. I have asked him if he likes what I picked out and he has always said yes. This year I was looking at costumes and was sure he pointed to a ninja turtle costume. I had it in my mind that is what he wanted to be, until about a week and a half before Halloween, that is. We were in the car and I asked him, "You want to be a ninja turtle for Halloween?" To which he replied, "No. Inon Man." I asked him again and received the same response. For the first time, ever, he was able to tell me what HE wanted! Luckily Wal-mart had an Iron Man costume. I would have had one over nighted if I had to. Grant LOVES Halloween and everything there is to it. He loves the decorations and the mystery. This year he added new phrases. It spooty for it's spooky and it stareded Drant for it scared Grant. I love hearing him say them. His trick or treat is much clearer this year as well as his thank you. This year when trick or treating he would try to name whatever character handed him a treat (if they were in costume) - tant you dog! At school, they have a costume parade. All the students and parents gather in the gym. Each class goes on stage and then each student tells who or what they are dresses up as. Last year, Grant was unable to say batman, but this year... Oh this year... He proudly stood in front of everyone and announced"I Inon Man!" He's my little SUPER HERO!!!

A Strange Breed of Parents...

Apraxia parents are a strange breed. Why, you ask. We are the only parents on earth who celebrate when other parents would be thinking of punishment. How many parents do you know who celebrate when their child says a curse word? Apraxia parents do because it is a new word or a new sound. We live to hear each and every new sound and word. At times, we are known to celebrate when our kids get into trouble at school. Grants teacher uses an app called class dojo. This app enables her to post updates throughout the day regarding each students behavior/progress. The parents can look at their child's report on their mobile device. Positive marks are green and negative are bad. Grant and I always discuss his marks. He knows the difference in the colors. One day not too long ago and found a red mark. I was disappointed until I saw what it was for - talking out of turn. TALKING!!! I tried my best to reprimand Grant for the red mark, but I just couldn't.

Boys Will Be Boys

So Grant got into trouble today at school. For the first time ever, he was able to tell about it. When I asked him what he did, he said, "Push. hit. Box." After speaking with his teacher I learned he pushed another boy into he storage cubbies when they were getting their supplies out. While I was not happy about the incident at school, I was overjoyed that he was able to tell me about it. Later in the evening, he and Danny were home while I was at a meeting. As a result of the bad behavior at school, Grant was not allowed to watch tv and therefore had to keep himself otherwise entertained. Danny was feeding the chickens when Grant came running around the end of the house yelling "Fwy away! Fwy away!" while throwing something up in the air. Danny went to see what it was that Grant was tossing in the air, only to discover it was a dead bird he had found in our driveway. Oh that boy...

Ice cream strikes again...

Sometimes, you just have to laugh, right? Just now, Grant and I came in from swimming. He took his trunks off. I told him to go get dressed as I went to change. I walked back into the den to find him kicked back drinking the rest of his shake that he had gotten earlier in the day - in the buff. I sat down on the other end of the couch thinking, "I really should make him go put some clothes on. Nah, in a minute." I was enjoying the rest of my shake when Grant let out a yelp. I thought he had seen a bug or something until he let out a second yelp. I looked up to see that he had spilled his shake all over himself... and yes, nether regions included. No wonder he was yelping! I stood him up, grabbed his blanket to stop the rest of the shake from running down inside the couch. I went and got a towel to wipe Grant down with and to clean up the mess on the floor. No, I didn't get mad. I was giggling too hard. The look oh his face was priceless! Now he is in the tub and here I sit, still giggling as I type this. What can I say, but OH THAT BOY!

Ice Cream!

It is fun to think back to when the apraxia journey first began and how far Grant has progressed since then. Bear and I were talking about one such instance yesterday. A few years back, she and I went to McDonalds with Grant. We ate and let him play. When it came time to leave, Grant said "i-peem" which was Grantanese for ice cream. I went to the counter to ask one of the clerks if he could have a kiddie cone to which Grant said sternly, "NO! I-PEEM..." I tried explaining to him that is what I was getting as the clerk handed the cone to me. It was then that he again said "no" and pointed at the menu and started jabbering something that I couldn't even begin to understand until I looked up at the menu board and noticed the picture of the ice cream shake with whipped cream and a cherry on top. I turned to Grant and asked "you want an ice cream shake?" To which he giggled, squealed, jumped in the air and shouted "YEAH!" Oh that boy!

Apraxia Awareness 2014

The second annual apraxia awareness day took place on Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Like last year, I made awareness ribbons and passed them out. Emailed the media and told anyone who would sit still long enough about apraxia. CASANA launched an intiative to have apraxia awareness day recognized not only in the whitehouse but in each individual state. Another apraxia mom, Danielle, got the ball rolling in Oklahoma and received a response. Senator A.J. Griffin drafted a resolution declaring it Apraxia Awareness Day in the state of Oklahoma and invited apraxia stars and their parents to be present in the gallery while the resolution was read into the record. Of course I jumped at the opportunity! Our little group decided to have matching shirts made. So on the 14th, Grant and I dressed in our blue apraxia awareness shirts, went to speech therapy and then headed to the capital in Oklahoma City. I explaine to him on the way up that this was a big day and that we were going to meet some important people. Upon arriving at Senator Griffin's office, we were treated so kindly. She and her secretary were so patient with our little apraxia stars. We took photos and then headed to the gallery. We sat and listened while the resolution was read into the record. Even though it was difficult to understand at times, due to the sound system, it was still touching. Then Senator Griffin recognized us in the gallery. That is when the most amazing moment of the day happened. All of the senators present that day, stood, faced us and gave us a standing ovation. Our little stars who are so often looked over or pushed aside for being different or difficult to deal with were BEING HONORED! They were being recognized for their hard work and perserverance. A moment I will NEVER forget! Since that day, more amazing things have happened. I had the opportunity to be interviewed by the local newspaper. Grant's story was on the front page! Because of that article, another apraxia mom from McAlester got in touch with me. We are support for each other and are working together to further raise awareness.