Picture taken in Dewey, AZ.

Today the kids and I went to the SportsKidz AZ open session.?? The boys had so much fun they wanted to stay for the second session as well.?? I remember when I first started Tanner in this homeschool physical ed program in kindergarten he cried his eyes out for the first three weeks.?? Ty was pretty miserable last year as well.?? They are both acclimating though because they were both enjoying PE time today.?? I had a cute conversation with Ty’s coach (Coach Rob) after class.?? I explained that Ty’s list of DXs was getting longer and explained briefly the impacts as applicable to class.?? Coach made me giggle when his only response was “So you are telling me I have to wait longer to taser him”.?? :)???? Uh…basically…yes.?? 😉

He is a WONDERFUL coach.?? Both loving, dedicated, firm and gentle.?? I am so glad that my kids have the opportunity to be part of his program.?? Ty adores him and his coach takes the time to stop, pick Ty up, and turn him upside down to shake the silliness out of him.?? Ty laughs laughs laughs and loves his coach all the more.

There was one little mommy grrrr moment though and I want to share it for educational purposes.?? When Ty was in line near the end of class, he was fidgeting, talking, turning in circles…you know – being TY.?? :)?? I was trying to motion to him to reign it in (as if I could really accomplish that goal) but I was also trying to chase Tori who wanted to be in class as well.?? I noticed the eyes of another adult watching Ty.?? The eyes narrowed and the displeased expression was very clear.?? This individual was annoyed at the (mild) disruption Ty was creating.

I don’t want to pick on that adult too harshly because I have been that individual in days past – when I didn’t know any better – when I thought all parents could “control” and SHOULD “control” their kiddos – when I thought ADHD was a big fat hooey excuse for misbehavior.???? I know how this individual felt and thought for I have stood in that spot and made similar judgments.

As a mother of a child with a disability though, I hope to help educate others.?? When you see a little one wiggling, not paying attention, disruptive, fiddling, no eye contact, loud voice…etc. – take a moment to consider whether or not the child might have disabilities that you can’t recognize on the outside.?? Then have mercy.?? Don’t punish the child.?? If you can’t resist the urge to judge the situation, go ahead and judge the parents.?? The truth of the matter is, the parents of a child with disabilities would far rather you judge US than our child.?? We can take it.?? We have no choice but to brave.?? Somewhere along the line – gear yourself up for this very blunt statement I am going to make – we stop caring what you think.?? That is how we mature in loving our child.?? How THEY feel takes precedence over how YOU feel.?? We can’t allow our pride in regards to what you may think of them and us, interfere with what we need to do and who we need to be to love and raise our child to the best of our ability.?? The more I embrace what God has called me to do here, the more empowered I feel to ask you to just “live with it”.?? :)???? I know I am preaching to the choir on this too because I have the best family and friends anywhere and Ty has an enormous circle of influence that are ready to line up behind and echo the “live with it” sentiment.?? We are so blessed!