Thanks for all the support on the last post. I’m okay – it helped a lot to write it out. That always helps, it’s just not always easy to make myself do it. I’m having trouble getting the words to flow today, too, even though my topic is special and wonderful. It’s BamBam.
BamBam had his four-year-old well child check-up on Friday. As Dr. fabulous walked in the door, BamBam held out a Cookie Monster card to him and said something about Cookie Monster being blue (I really don’t remember what he said). Dr. Fabulous looked at me and said, “I think that is more than he’s said in all our other visits combined.”
Dr. Fabulous asked about imaginative play just as BamBam leaned into me, pretending I was a cookie and he, Cookie Monster, was going to eat me. Dr. Fabulous said, “Oh. Never mind. That beautifully demonstrated exactly what I was asking about. ”
Dr. Fabulous asked about BamBam’s school situation and his interest in other kids. I told him about developmental preschool. Then I told him that the previous week we’d had BamBam’s first birthday party where he had his own friends to invite. We invited his whole preschool class, plus a few other friends. I told him how BamBam greeted every single guest by name as they walked in the door and invited them to come play. It was amazing.
Basically, Dr. Fabulous was over the moon about the progress BamBam has made in the past year. I was surprised by his amazement because, until I was standing there telling the doctor about it, I had forgotten how far BamBam has come. I had forgotten that only a year ago he didn’t really acknowledge that other kids existed. I had forgotten the constant screaming. I had forgotten the effort and persistence it took just to get him to go into the school building or the grocery store. I had forgotten.
BamBam still has issues. Of course he does. Even if he wasn’t autistic, which he certainly is, he’s still four. But I had forgotten how far he’s come. It felt so good to see BamBam through the eyes of someone who hadn’t seen him in a year. To watch Dr. Fabulous take in all that growth at once.
Dr. Fabulous sang the praises of early intervention and he’s right to do that. It is really working for BamBam. His teachers and therapists are skillful and they truly care about the growth of their clients. I don’t want to sell them short here because they’re wonderful and really go the extra mile, but this post isn’t about them. This post is about BamBam. He’s had help to make great strides this year, but the lion’s share of work was on him. And he totally rose to the challenge. The kid is amazing in the way he embraces life and runs with it. I often say he has two speeds: full-steam and asleep. I’m pretty sure he’s going to take over the world someday.
BamBam is a remarkable person and he’s worked so very hard this year. I’m so very proud of him and I want to take this time to celebrate BamBam. You’re awesome, kid, and I love you.
“Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.”
It is truly amazing to see just how hard our kids work, how resilient they are, and how NOT dead-ended this diagnosis can be. I am so happy to see your sweetie well supported so that his incredible abilities can shine and thrive 🙂
Yay. Yay! YAY!!
Here’s to brave boys & their warrior mothers..
BamBam is fantastic and YOU deserve bulldozers full of credit for his progress. If he’s tough and brave and imaginative and game, it’s because YOU showed him how to be.
1. I’m really very glad you are feeling better. It’s not an easy row to hoe that you have been given.
2. Yay!! for BamBam!!! Go back and read what Diva said. And then read it again. And one more time at least until it really sinks in. 🙂 It is hard to see the progress being made when one is in the trenches day after day with the incremental changes happening.
This is wonderful to read! I’m so glad you got that outsider’s view of the progress BamBam has made to give you perspective and awareness. That’s always useful. I’m glad he has all the support he has and that he has YOU for his mom, because you are the one who will make sure he gets what he needs. I think this is fantastic. Yay for both of you!
I’m speechless with tears. So thankful that Dr. Fabulous was able to show you not only what BAMBAM has achieved with the help of his teachers/therapists but as others indicate…he has YOU. I Have witnessed, first hand, the quality time you spend with him. Congratulations to BAMBAM and to YOU and THANK YOU to those who provide their skills. What an amazing year it has been for all.
YAY!!! You are a fabulous mother!!!!
Of course BamBam’s a remarkable person! Just look at his parents 🙂
I think sometimes we spend so much time identifying our kids’ challenges and figuring out how to break through them, that we forget to flip our perspective around and look at all their potential. Every time you push back against a limit that’s been placed around your boys – a less-than-ideal school setting, an adult who’s not giving them what they need, a child who keeps them from feeling safe, or their own intricate brains – you’re making space for them to do their own work on growing and changing. It’s amazing what’s happening behind your back while you’re fighting for them on the front lines.
Yay for Bam Bam and yay for Mom! You totally rock, Michelle. He worked very hard and he has come so very far, but don’t think for one minute that you didn’t have a huge part in all of it. Because you did. And you do. Every single day. Proud of both of you!
what a wonderful doctor’s visit! congrats and thanks for sharing!
Happy Happy to your boy, and WEBS in YOUR direction. I credit many people with the raising of my own kids, tending to forget who it is that they call “Mom” here in the chaos of Life. But ya know what? We are doing a pretty damn good job!