A Dyspraxic Huge Milestone : Enjoy The Ride!

Yesterday was not an usual outdoor time with scooter, bus or train.

It’s something that has been on the plan since last year yet to make it happen takes more courage than I think. It’s something that she has been longing for quite a while.

I had planned previously to go to one of the parks with usual mode then changed it suddenly on the last minute after having beautiful morning show up above in the sky.

Never underestimate the influence of the nature to your overall mood.

More, her dad was also here. So, more reasons to do this. I had this place in mind before. It is only 15 minutes driving and it has a huge and wide parking lot, then outdoor picnic space to rest after that. Truly a perfect place for the thing we wanted to do.

Done doing her set of morning menu, we drove to this place. It was a rare sunny Sunday, so even the weather conspired us to make this thing happened.

There was no one there since it was as early as 8 am. We enjoyed all the space for ourselves.

At first, I talked to myself to lower my expectation, to be patient, because it wasn’t something that one could do in an instant. More, with her pre-existing condition. So, ‘lower your expectation, mommy’ had been continously playing inside my head.

It was hard at first, as expected. But, slowly, it was getting better. Then, not for long, it happened. Right before my eyes.

She rode two wheels bicycle on her own.

That was it? What’s so grand about being able to ride on two wheels bicycle?

For some people, this is just an ordinary milestone, but not for her, or us. Other than having diagnosed with DLD during our time in London, she is also known to have mild DCD or dyspraxia.

Dyspraxia is a childhood developmental disorder marked by clumsiness in otherwise healthy children. Few of its symptoms are having difficulties in certain motoric movement like balance and coordination.

She has experienced countless time falling while riding scooter, while walking, couldn’t ride a swing properly, couldn’t throw and catch ball, and many more.

There were times when it felt so frustrating. Having a language disorder is a huge setback already. Having another felt too much.

If there’s a trait that might look unfavorable in certain circumstances, but it works well while dealing with this situation.

I am too stubborn to just accept whatever shit life throws.

After having adequate crying, whinning, and countless why, no time to waste anymore. Something should be done.

For the past two years, instead of going to therapy for this, we enrolled her to a private gym class where she could train all the things she couldn’t do yet.

Another thing that helps a lot other than being stubborn, she might have those disorders, but, on the other side, she has this determination, persistent, and perseverance. She always tries her best in everything she does.

Another thing that we got on the good side: we mostly destined to meet the kind and right people. Teachers, therapists that truly helped us and her genuinely (other than the fact we paid them, of course).

There were days when I felt so depressed because days went by without significant progress. But, it wasn’t enough to make us stop.

We kept coming every week. When the gym closed down during delta wave last year, we asked if the coach would do it in our residence outdoor space and she said yes. So, the training continued, in spite of the situation out there.

Yesterday, it was all paid off.

I am fully realized in spite of having such conditions above, we have many advantages and privileges that maybe some other special needs parents and child don’t.

But, if a little note is allowed, maybe here : above paper diagnosis doesn’t define who your child is. There’s so much life after that. There are many other doors open for them, as long as we don’t stop looking. Accept what has been destined for you, but don’t accept it as an end result. We need diagnosis to understand the child, not to prevent them to do things they’re capable of.

Above all the efforts you have done, put your trust. To the One who creates her and to your child herself.

Last but not least,

Enjoy the ride, (parents)!