As Alex gets older the school work gets harder for him. We are struggling to get through homework, reading, and even every day tasks. Alex has started putting his head down on his work sheet when we start homework (after being at school all day and then going to therapies). He will say, "I had a really hard day today." He will look over at Logan who finishes his homework in a really short amount of time and he gets frustrated. Reading comes easily for Logan. It is difficult for Alex. Writing and math seem easy for Logan and Alex struggles. It takes us anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to finish homework each day--depending on Alex's mood and how much work he has to do.
While he does get frustrated he never gives up. He grunts, kicks the bar, taps his pencil against the bar or table. Very little comes easily for Alex. He has to work a lot harder than most children--a lot harder than his little brother--to get things done. Tying shoes, riding a bike, cutting food, writing, even speaking . . . things we take for granted every day are difficult for him to do. While he does have days where he is emotional and frustrated he spends most days just taking things as they come, doing his best, and just "going with it." He has this personality that has really thrived since we moved to Perkins. He will do things now just to get a reaction out of me (so much like his daddy). He has started aggravating his siblings and going out of his way to be funny and make us laugh. He has also developed a sneaky streak to try and get out of doing things he doesn't want to do. When he gets caught he bats those beautiful eyes and gives you that adorable smile in hopes that you will melt from his cuteness and just let him get away with it. It doesn't work, but you have to give the kid points for trying!
I watch him encourage his brother and take care of his baby sister. He is always there with a hug and an "I love you--and even though he acts like he's too cool for just about anything, he has a big heart and he will give up things he has, things he loves, just to make some one else happy. I've seen him do it time and time again. I have watched him work long and hard on assignments, putting that eraser into overtime. I have seen him beam with pride when he finally finishes or does well at something in school.
So many people are posting pictures on Facebook of their children and saying, "This is the face of Apraxia." Alex IS the face of Apraxia. He is the face of Ataxia. He is the face of Osteochondromatosis. He is also the face of Alex. A son, a brother, a friend and an awesome boy who should have a cape permanently attached to him each and every day. He is my super hero and I truly believe he is going to do big things some day.
Look out world!
No comments:
Post a Comment