Recently, I have been amazed at how different I view life in general after having a child with Down syndrome. Things that were important are no longer that way. While things that used to not matter are now a big deal. Take a look at this fine example of “spontaneous therapy” for instance.
Art is subjective
You see, while waiting for his bus and “helping” him to avoid the, in Arizona terms, “Massive” piles of snow left over from our own personal “Snowpocolypse” or “Snowmagedon”, my sweet, six year old boy, Ben, chose to express his artistic self on the rear gate of my minivan. At first I was tempted to physically move his hand and grab the baby wipes. I decided, though, to allow his inner Bob Ross to immerge so his “happy little face” could grace my vehicle until we wash it or it rains, which ever comes first. (Truth be told, it will likely be the latter of the two solutions) What I saw was an opportunity for a moment of Occupational Therapy.
Interpret it as Spontaneous Therapy
Throughout this moment of spontaneous therapy, I watched Ben maneuver is little pointer finger to make the circle, and my heart was blessed. My soul was warmed as I witnessed him draw the eyes, hair, and mouth. A sense of pride blossomed as I listened to him describe, clearly, what he was creating.
Would this have happened with any of my children who were born typical? More than likely, not. Don’t get me wrong, they would have been totally tempted to exhibit their unique creations while I drive around town. I probably wouldn’t have allowed it. Sadly, my thoughts would have been focused only on the grit being ground into the finish of my Town and Country, instead of the greatness that was happening before my very eyes.
