As parents we are always proud of our children’s accomplishments no matter how small are. But when it comes to children with challenges, those small accomplishments are actually the big things.
This last week marked a HUGE accomplishment for my special boy. You see, our family got involved in martial arts pretty much because of him. Our OT recommended that we enroll him to step up what was needed for strength and other sensory issues (loud noises, touch – pads, gear etc). So off we went in search of a school. We decided that whatever we found we needed english speaking teachers, family oriented (warm) and people who would be willing to work with us on specific issues. (Side benefit was allowing our kids to socialize with their age group as well as a PE class)
In March 2011, #1 and #2 started Taekwondo at a school that fit what we were looking for. #2 started in a program for the younger aged kids (3-6) and #1 went right into the regular belt program with the other kids (6-12).
First of class!!!
Now, to get back to that HUGE accomplishment I was talking about. The last 3 years, I have watched #2 go through 2 full belt programs. That means he has gone through 22 different belts, 3 different class levels and countless hours on the mats at the school. Don’t forget the countless tears, tantrums and yelling matches over lost belts (yes, Mommy got yelled at at home because someone couldn’t find a belt).
For the last 2 months, #2 has been the highest COLOUR belt student in the ENTIRE school. He has started to really blossom as a person and I have seen a lot less tears and tantrums (Lost belts happen daily unfortunately). While all of that sounds impressive the most impressive thing that he has accomplished through all of this was last night. Last night, both Mommy and Daddy got to watch our very special boy graduate from colour belt to BLACK BELT classes. While his belt is now black on top and red on the bottom, he is considered a recommended black belt (A student who has proven themselves in knowledge and skill). This step is huge. My Special 9 year old boy is showing us that as long as we don’t give up on him, he wont give up on himself (his goal is to be Grand Master one day).
Who would have thought that when we started this particular journey 3 years ago that I would see such a change for the better? We are VERY proud parents!
I can’t forget about the other kiddos right now though. We had 1 black belt midtermer, 1 advance to 1st red, 1 advance to 1st brown and 1 advance to tiny tiger brown (the program for the younger groups). Congrats to all my Ninjas!!!!
The Minions protecting their Leader (aka, MOM)
