Next Friday Brady turns 2! In this picture I swear he is 15, at least that is what he is putting on his college application. I reminded him that typically one is around 17 when they hit the dorms, but he kindly reminded me that he is exceptional. Ah yes, thank you Brady.People are always curious about what it takes to raise a child with "special needs," a term that I have never been particularly fond of. Brady's needs are no more special than a typical kid. I prefer to think of it as needing just a bit extra. So on that note here are some of the "extras" for Brady: 1. Daily foot massages (HA!) 2. Weekly private speech lessons 3. Weekly private physical therapy 4. Weekly physical therapy from Early Intervention 5. Weekly swim lessons 6. Coming soon... speech therapy from Early Intervention 7. Next summer Brady will begin pre-school at Munroe Meyer
8. Daily speech lessons with Mom (I follow the See and Learn speech program by DownsEd).
By next summer Brady will have speech about 3 times a week. This is primarily because speech is a MAJOR priority for our family. We want to make sure Brady is able to talk and when he talks we want him to be understandable. Of course according to Brady everything he says is pertinent and poignant, but we are taking extra measures during these most impressionable years.
Other than a rigorous speech schedule Brady's life is very typical. He takes no more patience, time or love than any other child. There are weeks that Down sydrome doesn't even hit my radar. I'm sure there will be a couple of meteors that will blast us in the future, but for now I'm going to enjoy all the extras Brady has brought to our lives.
3 comments:
I really appreciate you sharing Brady's life with us. I've learned more about Down syndrome in the past 2 years (I can't believe he's almost 2!!!) than I had ever before. It might not seem like you are educating by posting cute antics and pictures, but you are. Brady-licious is lucky to have you, so are we.
Also, that pic breaks my heart a little- he looks so old!
Oh, golly. I couldn't agree more. Although, I do think LC and Jace have SOME special needs not necessary for typical kids. For example, LC could benefit from the services of an exorcist. And Jace could benefit from a tiny, made-for-boys training bra in a B-cup. Special needs, indeed, but completely non-Down syndrome related. Oh, how I can't wait to see Brady welcome the new recruit. How lucky is SHE???
WHAT/////////// Brady has Down Syndrome?????????? I just tought it was all those great Ballan genes with a couple Shannon genes.
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