November 22, 2006 9:28 AM
Kids with disabilities need the same things all kids need!
Jasmine (another Jasmine, not my daughter) wrote:
I realize it is probably too late, but just in case I am sending some pictures of my 3 year old working very hard with her cutting skills. This is Lillian she is 3 1/2 and has Apert Syndrome. She is learning to cut with her adaptive scissors.
Thank you so much for your books and your website, it has been an encouragement to me in helping Lillian with her OT skills at home. She now is responsible with helping to load/unload the dishwasher and she even had to teach Daddy how to turn it on! It has opened up a whole new world for her to make her more independent. I was so used to babying her, especially after surgeries when she would be quadruple casted! But I recently read The Mommy Manual and Small Beginnings and have been so inspired by your testimony that I've let her do more and her occupational therapist can tell a difference!
Thank you so much for all that you do,
Jasmine
I asked Jasmine for permission to share her email and pictures because - well, first of all, I just loved how she captured the expression of concentration on Lillian's face. That is what we want to always nurture in our children - concentration, the ability to focus on a task. That is the skill that wille enable them to be good learners all their lives.
The second reason I wanted to share is that Jasmine brought up an important point for all mothers of kids with disabilities: we can't see our children through their disability, but must push them to achieve their potential. We can't baby them, but must give them the tools and encouragement they need to become as independent as they can.
Jasmine, you don't know how satisfying it is to me to know that anything I wrote made a difference in Lillian's life - and yours.
Thanks so much for writing!
Posted in Disabilities, Mothering | Permalink
