Too Much Wax

Every two months our son Joseph goes to see his ear doctor. The wax in his ears builds up and he becomes moderately deaf after a few months. (Of course being moderately deaf hinders his speech.) Another side effect to the wax build up is a smell from his ears! It's horrible! I'm hoping this next time we visit, the doctor, will have a permanent solution to this problem. We've tried ear tubes (they fell out after six months) and we also were told a few drops of peroxide in his ears, twice a week, would help keep them clean (do NOT try until you consult your doctor). I'm not too sure if this will be an ongoing issue with Joe, or if it will disappear as he grows. I'm hoping it will go away! I hate having to hold my guy down while the doctor scrapes thewax out! Not to mention by the end of two months I'm having to speak loudly to Joseph for him to respond to me!

A Post From Joe's NeNe (grandma)

Albert Einstein stated, ”Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will live it’s whole life believing that it is stupid.”
What a powerful quote that tells of the way I see my grandson Joseph, a Down’s child of three years. My soul aches for my grandson Joseph, for he will face an educational system that will try to make him climb trees that he will not be able to climb. There will also be times he will just swim around and do his own thing because no one wants to be bothered or just doesn’t know how. Elizabeth, Joe’s Mom, and my only daughter said it best, “I’m in a battle against the very people who I thought would be on his side!” Just remember Joseph is our little fish and we will help to educate, fight, and be his advocate in a system that tries to make him climb those trees. Our little fish will shine! This little fish of mine, I ‘m going to let him shine. Let him shine! Let him shine! Let him shine!

The "R" Word

I'm just wondering how you feel about hearing people using the "r" word as a derogatory word? Does it offend you? Or do you use it also? Here's my view on why people should not be using it in such a negative way. When we visit the DS clinic (my husband, Joe, and I) they use the words "mental retardation" quite frequently during our visit. Why? Because it's a medical term used to describe someone who has an IQ lower then 70. My son Joseph hears it in the clinic, describing him. Therefore, I do NOT believe he should be hearing others use it in a mean and negative way. It's not just my son who is affected by the rude use of word; it is estimated that 3% of Americans are considered to have mental retardation. This does not add in the many family members and friends of the 3% whom the "r" word also offends! I'm just wanting to bring awareness to this subject and perhaps have you think twice before using it!

Please comment!

Beautiful.

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole live believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein

 

http://talitaxx.tumblr.com/post/6288965071

I love this quote! As of right now I'm searching for a poster with this quote on it to hang in our entry way! Its so true.

Summer Fun!

My children, E and Joe, have been out of school for about a month now! I've been really trying to keep up with Joe's therapies (OT, PT, Speech) so he won't be too far behind when he goes back to Pre-K this fall. I try to take him swimming at least once a week, the park usually twice a week, and daycare; while I'm at the gym, which is also two times a week. The pool and the park are wonderful ways for Joseph to get some PT without knowing it! (SIDEBAR - I'm having a hard time with Joseph at the park. He loves the park! But if it's too hot out, he's ready to go home in 10 minutes! I'm hoping to gradually increase his tolerance to the heat because his sister LOVES to be outside!) Anyways here a few websites I've found that provide some GREAT projects to add in OT and sensory play! Here are the sites: Homemade Slime, Sensory Bean Box, Sensory Steps, Homemade Moon Sand. Hope these help make learning fun in your house also! Please share photos if you decide to do any of these projects! I know I will!

Joe playing at the park!

Child Harness?

We began having trouble with Joe wanting to stay in his stroller. He'd worm and squirm and cry and scream! He thought he was too big for one and at 3 1/2 maybe he was right! But he still didn't have the stamina to walk very far and he was/is defiantly too heavy for me to carry all around! Attempt #1 - I tried simply holding his hand and that worked for about a minute until he'd throw himself down and then he'd be hanging by one arm! Attempt #2 -  I thought I'd try walking real close to him and right when I began to tell myself he's doing it, he's really going to stay with me ... he'd bolt off in the other direction! Attempt #3 - Have him hold sissy's hand! Nope! Didn't work at all!
Although, I cannot honestly say I've never given another mom a funny look when I see one out using a child harness, Joe's safety became priority! He could get lost, his arm pulled out-of-socket, or worse hit by a car! I had to put my pride aside and use one. We purchased the Munchkin Stay-Close Harness and Handstrap; it had great reviews! ... Anyways it was a two in one type deal I could use it as a harness or take off the harness and just put it around his wrist. I tried both. Attempt #1 - Around the wrist method. I tried this way first I thought it looked well less harnessy (not a word)! A DEFINITE FAIL!! Joseph escaped the first couple times and when I finally got it adjusted properly he just sat down and wouldn't move! Attempt #2 - The dreaded harness! I can say this way worked better then just having it around his wrist but it didn't work any better then just holding his hand! In our case the child harness was a big thumbs down! So now we're back to a combination of carrying, stroller, hand holding!

(Reminder these attempts I have number as 1, 2, and 3 are more like attempts 1,890; 320,809; and 5,098,687,798,999)

Joe beginning to get upset about the stroller.

If anyone has any suggestions please leave a comment! I'd love to hear them!

Book Review #1 - The Man Who Loved Clowns - June Wood

The Man Who Loved Clowns by June Wood is a super easy read! I actually read it in an afternoon. This book is for entertainment only. It's a story about a young girl (Delrita-13) who lives with her parents and her uncle Punky (he has Down Syndrome). The main focus of the story was her battle with mixed feelings for her uncle; although she loved him dearly she was extremely embarrassed by him in public situations. The story made me cry quite a few times!
Great book to read poolside while the kids swim!