The Eli Series 2/6: Michelle/Mom

(The Eli Series 2/6: Michelle/Mom)

Eli was in therapy for years trying to learn to sip through a straw. We did OT, ABA and feeding therapy trying to get him to learn. A little after he turned 5, I gave up trying at home and I’ll admit I kinda gave up on him. He still had his honey bear cup everyday with his smoothie, but he learned to just squeeze it to get the smoothie up the straw. Then we eventually stopped therapy when he started kindergarten in the fall. I figured he’d just be one of those kids that could never learn because we had put so much time, sweat and tears into it with zero results. I remember when I got his diagnosis, I promised myself that I would never compare him to typical peers his age, but I never prepared myself for what it would feel like for other kids with Down Syndrome, years younger, doing things before him without any therapy.

Then one day, one of my girls starts screaming to come quick – Eli took a sip of her drink like he’d been doing it his entire life. He did it on his timeline, not on mine or a therapist’s.

He’s taught me so many life lessons and I’m so grateful for all of his progress – from the tiny inchstones to the giant milestones.

#ThisIsDownSyndrome #TheLuckyFew