This afternoon Little Buddy and I made our first trip to the splash park this summer. I'll tell you it is exactly what I needed. Just to see the joy on his little freckled face was the tonic this weary heart needed today. I have had a very busy two weeks at work, lots of patient visits and lots of progress notes to write. Notes is not the correct word to use, really they are progress novels! I have to keep my fingers crossed the kids I see will continue to get the services they need, cuts are being made everywhere.
Little Buddy has completed two weeks of morning summer camp. This camp is being held with his retired pre-school teacher and several other teachers and therapists. It is so nice to see him involved and having fun. And the best part of all is leaving him with people I trust. It is not easy to find a program that will take a little person with special needs. He needs continued work on socialization skills and he can get this at camp with teachers who understand him. After camp, speech therapy, and my private patient this afternoon I decided we needed to go to this wonderful splash park near us for a bit. Little Buddy was thrilled and had just the best time. I love all the little ones that walk up to him and want a turn with his walker, their parents are usually a bit horrified their children are taking his walker for a spin but I encourage it. I always tell the parents it is a great way for their kids to see a walker and not think it is different or strange. Boys are especially drawn to it, it must be the wheels!
You all know how very blessed I feel having this amazing miracle boy in my life. I have to admit I have been so depressed the last few weeks with the stories of all those immigrant parents losing their children, almost 2,000 at last count. I can't even imagine what they are feeling, what those beautiful children must be thinking. This is a horrific thing to happen to them. They will be scarred emotionally, psychologically and physically for life. This is not something you get over. I work with children in the foster care system all the time, some of which will have attachment issues their whole lives because of what they have been through, not in foster care, but the trauma they have experienced in life. It is devastating to me that we as a country are allowing this to happen. What have we become to think that separating families is okay?
Maybe we all need a little Little Buddy to make us smile. But even with those darling freckles that I can't get enough of, I can't forget those children who have lost their families, their childhoods, their security, and the love of their parents, who only want a better life for them, just like all of our ancestors wanted for us.
33 comments:
According to Jeff Sessions, it is biblically mandated. :::just shaking my head:::
But to happier things . . . yes, the freckles are adorable, but have you noticed that boy's eyelashes???? Some girls are going to be VERY jealous in a few years. They would die for lashes like that. LOL
He is a darling little guy and I'm so glad you and he had a bit of fun today.
Little Buddy is amazing and growing so big. How blessed he is to be in your house as you are blessed by Little Buddy.
I so agree with you about Trumps policy regarding ripping children from parents. These kids are so tramatized by this government and for what purpose? I believe their will be a special judgement for Trump and Co. as well as the GOP that just sits by and does NOTHING!
I have written my Senator, but know he will remain silent as he has for the past 19 months. Deplorable people our GOP and president. This government can't be replace soon enough!
Oh my goodness.. how cute is he.. with those freckles and he's getting so tan and those big eyes! I wish I could meet him and give him a big hug. I think it's great how open you are for kids to try out his walker, he looks like he's going a mile a minute in it!
I am *SO* with you on this issue of taking children from their families.. what a horrible thing and then to try to pin it on Obama.. good grief. It's Sessions that is pushing this horrible thing through.. and the GOP that is complicit in it. I can't wait until this bunch of goons are history. I hope I live long enough to see good people take over governing this wonderful country.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
The smiles on Little Buddy’s face says it all. I think playing with the other children and sharing his walker is a great way to teach them that special needs children are just like they are. What a blessing he is to you and you to him. Thanks for sharing with us. Meanwhile, we have the furnace and electric blankets on tonight!!!
Blessings,
Betsy
So nice to see Little Buddy having fun.
Amalia
xo
this darling child of yours. so beautiful.
and your heart.
and the strength and love that it takes.
just being who you are and doing your job.
to know there are bright lights in this world of Trump and his
NON values.
lights like little Buddy and YOU.
keep shining dearest bean. keep shining! XO
I can't improve on what Eileen and Teresa said above, only emphasize and echo their words. And yours. I have not stopped fighting since this beast was "elected", working with the Resistance every single day.
***
When I think of all the money I've spent on mascara in my life, and then look at your son, I feel like giving up! Seriously, though, he is thriving and his joy is obvious. He is a terrific ambassador for the idea that Kids Are Just Kids.
We all need to see his little face. Sending you hugs Jo x
Those photos are just precious!
I am so proud that my senators are heading out to those camps today and plan on spending Father's Day reporting back on the conditions. It's not much but it's a start hopefully to right this wrong.
AMEN to that. It is a horrific inexcusable practice.
I love that lil b lets kids take turns with HIs walker.!!
That boy is going to go far Meredith~
He is surrounded by love.
Splash pads are the best, especially for non-swimmers. How great for LB to get to freely interact and have fun and be one of the kids! And thank you for reminding me to contact my senators and representative re the horrific practice of separating parents and children at the border. I feel like I no longer recognize this country.
His smile is so special. I'm heartbroken at what our country is doing...who are we? We've lost our humanity or at least those in power have. I'm so sad I can't handle it sometimes.
LB's smile is infectious! He could make the Grinch grin.
The situation on the border is just horrifying. My heart breaks for those families. This is causing such unnecessary pain for so many. And to think that Trump and Sessions are blaming the Democrats! Argh!
I hadn't heard about the immigrant children until now, I've just read about it and I'm utterly heartbroken for them and their parents. And horrified that there are people who think this is any way acceptable. We have enough to share. We have enough love and compassion. I imagine if the people who support those who have authorised it got to know the families individually they wouldn't be able to look them in the face and tell them their children should be taken away. People fear what they do not know. These are families, just like other families. My heart breaks for them. Shame on those involved. The need to walk a mile in the shoes of those they wrong.
How lovely to see Little Buddy having fun at the splash park. They're the best for summer fun aren't they. I'm glad he has a morning summer camp to go to as well. I love that children like playing with his walker. As you say, it's good to get used to things and understand how things are for others and not hang back and not get involved. So long as he's okay with it! I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend and that there's a little rest and relaxation in there somewhere, it sounds as if you've been working very hard, and doing your best for everyone as usual. You're a star my friend. CJ xx
Thank You for sharing your outing with Little Buddy. Little Buddy is so cute and quite handsome. I love his freckles. I have them,too. I had a lot when growing up but many have faded. God Bless Little Buddy and his family.
Marilyn
It's wonderful that Buddy can share his walker with the other kids! He looks like he's having a blast!
Little Buddy looks like he's having so much fun and how lovely that he shares his walker with the other children.
Oh this freckly little face makes me happy on a dull Sunday morning! I think it is great that other children show an interest in LB's walker and his disability. They'll accept this as just another normal way of living a life. I remember by disabled brother always preferred open questions about his oversized buggy and crutches to secret glances.
I have no words for what is happening to those poor poor immigrant families. To justify the barbaric practice with the bible is appalling and must be a slap in the face for true Christians. What worries me most is that more and more outrageous behaviours are becoming "normal". It is like living in the Handmaids Tale world.
Wishing you a peaceful Sunday with your beautiful family. x
Your post has pulled at my heart strings,what is the world coming to.I too have noticed Lil Buddies freckles and oh those eyelashes,he has beautiful eyes too.What wonderful happy photos.It is a wet and windy day here in Cornwall,but things are about to hot up I think.Take care.Huge Huggles to all and the doggies.xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Little Buddy is such a cracker! He is looking so grown up now, his face is definitely changing. So pleased you had a fun time at the splash park. CN x
Sending hugs .. thank you for the Little Buddy smiles!!
he is your ray of sunshine! I love his freckles :) I cannot stand the news these days and it wears on my mind. I have the cat dog antics to make me smile!!
What joyful photos of an amazing little guy and how wonderful that some of the other children tried his walker. What they understand, they will no longer think is strange. Last summer my five year old cousin went over to a woman at the ice cream stand and asked her politely why her chair had big wheels. She smiled and proceeded to show him how her wheelchair worked and told him that her legs didn’t work as well as they used to but with her ‘chair with big wheels’ she could do anything . . . even go to get an ice cram cone. She was lovely and said she was always pleased when children spoke to her and asked questions . . . teachable moments :-)
It saddens me to no end when I hear about the children being separated from their parents. How can anyone think that that is okay?! It seems there are no limits anymore.
This post makes me smile. I just love that the other kids want to use LB's walker! That we should all be like little children.
I cannot believe in this day and age that politicians would create policy that damages people so badly. Australia has been through its own horror with "the stolen generation". This country is still living with the effects of intergenerational trauma. The legacy that the Trump administration is creating will not be reversed easily if at all. To steal a babe from its mother's arms is one of the cruellest things anyone could do.
Thank goodness that I can see from your comments and from your blog that many Americans still retain their humanitarian values that your country was once renowned for.
LB is lucky to have a mum like you and it is so great that the other children could try out his walker. I agree that children's curiosity needs to be welcomed. When parents try to hush their children from asking and instruct "don't look" it creates a taboo around disability. These taboo attitudes are part of the reason people with disabilities were shunned and segregated from society in institutions in the past. We need to leave those days behind. By removing the novelty value of LB's walker, the next generation will be much more accepting of disability. When I first got my wheelchair, I gave my young children a lesson - showing them the different parts, naming them, putting it together and pulling it apart and then letting them have a go for themselves so they can appreciate what it is like. By removing the novelty, they were less likely to accidentally misuse or break the essential equipment.
You're a great mum, Meredith, and I hope the Splash Park refreshed and revitalised you as much as LB. xx
Seeing Little Buddy's smiles are so fun to see and glad he's out and about with children and enjoying himself and you as well! Life is hard. Sad to hear of the holding of immigrants. Not sure why the people come through the border, not at points of entry. No paper work for anyone which doesn't help at all. Hopefully it will all get figured out soon. At least they are being feed, clothed and have dental treatments too. Prayers for you and our world! Hugs!
Wonderful to see Little Buddy running around and having a grand ol' time. Really sickening what's happening along the border. Tired of the political lies and games. Those families spend a month or longer trying to find freedom. The idea that some of them are con artists using children for their own agenda is a pathetic excuse for ripping families apart. The idea that any of them have access to American news, to know about this stupid policy while they are risking life and limb to access assistance is really very naive. I'm so thoroughly disgusted that children are identified by numbers as if they are animals being branded. Who is caring for their emotional needs? Young children especially will be scarred. Why are we not practicing empathy and compassion? It's pure evil!
I'm glad you and LB got a chance to get to the splash park. Look at the joy on his beautiful freckled face! He is such a doll. This whole immigration/children being torn from their parent's arms thing has, of course, gotten me very upset. I made the mistake of listening to the audio that I saw on FB where the children were crying for their mommies and daddies. I can barely talk about it without getting choked up...
Yes! Thank you for your little buddy joy sharing. I know I need it. (I'm still so surprised at how big and grown he's become) Nothing like children to mark the time gone by. Sigh.
Think Freckles, Ellen. Ha!
Anyways, my heart supports yours and understands. All the best, Mere.
I love Little Buddy's smile - so beautiful. And his freckles. And ESPECIALLY his eyelashes. Oh my!
It is so nice to be able to smile at something! There aren't even words to describe how I feel about our country right now.
Yes, the child separation stories are heart-breaking. It will definitely affect them and the choices they make through life. All we can do is treat our own children well and you are doing that in shed-loads.
He looks very happy!
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