Special O

Every year I think, this is it. This is the year that he isnt going to want to participate in the special olympics and every year he is SOOOO excited to go. This year he told me one of his friend's parents wouldn't let him participate and it made me so sad. Derek and I talked about it and we can't imagine why anyone would say no. It is such a rewarding and positive experience. And although Michael looks normal on the outside and is very high functioning, so much so that most people don't realize his issues until getting to know him, he still has his challenges. I would sign Ava up if she would qualify because it gives all people a chance to interact with others that have special needs and to be cognicent of how hard other people have to work and how special each and every one of us is. I think that if more children had this exposure they wouldnt be so quick to judge and pick on other children.

There is a little boy on our bus who has physical challenges and the kids pick on him mercilessly. Ava always tells me that the other kids are mean and that she sticks up for the little boy. (So proud!) And Michael reports that the other kids are mean and tease the little boy but he doesnt know what to do about it so he looks out the bus window. I asked Ava what does Michael do when the other kids are mean? And she said, "He looks out the window." So I guess that is his coping mechanism. We talked ALOT about bullying and telling the bus driver and trying in our own subtle ways to express how this mean-ness makes us feel and others feel. For each person that we teach to be accepting and understanding and patient is another person on our side.