Post by annak on May 8, 2008 16:15:42 GMT -5
Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself
- Zen Proverb
Nearly a year ago Mark returned from his first trip to the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) full of enthusiasm, ideas, and goals. As you can see from watching the recent video posted, one of the things the therapists at KKI thought would be good for Mark was to practice sitting on his own. When Mark shared this idea with me, I thought wow that sounds awesome, let’s do it! So we did. And it was difficult. Imagine standing for nearly an hour in front of Mark while holding your arms out in front at shoulder height, hands on the side of Mark’s shoulders “gently” balancing him. Oh – and Mark is not supported in his chair - but seated on a trunk. Before we began, Mark looked me square in the eye and as serious as death said “don’t drop me.”
That first time was terrifying. We pitched from side to side and front to back while Mark worked to find his balance. After a few minutes the muscles in my arms and neck began to scream, I could feel the sweat running down my spine and my only focus was to please God not be the one who “dropped” Mark. I never told Mark how difficult I thought it was. As with anything involving Mark, I figured if he wanted to keep trying, then we would. But for months I would dread the inevitable “I thought we would sit tonight.”
Early this year Mark worked more on sitting with his roommate Mike. Mark would tell me what great progress he was making in sitting and balancing and how well Mike was doing. I would smile, nod, and think to myself, of course Mike is doing well – he’s much bigger and stronger than I am! Until last night…
Last night Mark turned to me and said “I thought we would sit tonight.” And so we did – except this time there was no “we” it was all him. Immediately Mark was sitting tall and strong, he did not slouch, nor did he require me to “gently” balance him. I stood there with my mouth hanging open, looking at my friend seated as casually as if he had just walked into the room and sat down in front of me. After doing a few “tricks” (essentially showing off) he sat quietly by himself until he was done.
Keep up the good work my friend. Persistence does pay off. I’ll sit awhile with you anytime.
- Zen Proverb
Nearly a year ago Mark returned from his first trip to the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) full of enthusiasm, ideas, and goals. As you can see from watching the recent video posted, one of the things the therapists at KKI thought would be good for Mark was to practice sitting on his own. When Mark shared this idea with me, I thought wow that sounds awesome, let’s do it! So we did. And it was difficult. Imagine standing for nearly an hour in front of Mark while holding your arms out in front at shoulder height, hands on the side of Mark’s shoulders “gently” balancing him. Oh – and Mark is not supported in his chair - but seated on a trunk. Before we began, Mark looked me square in the eye and as serious as death said “don’t drop me.”
That first time was terrifying. We pitched from side to side and front to back while Mark worked to find his balance. After a few minutes the muscles in my arms and neck began to scream, I could feel the sweat running down my spine and my only focus was to please God not be the one who “dropped” Mark. I never told Mark how difficult I thought it was. As with anything involving Mark, I figured if he wanted to keep trying, then we would. But for months I would dread the inevitable “I thought we would sit tonight.”
Early this year Mark worked more on sitting with his roommate Mike. Mark would tell me what great progress he was making in sitting and balancing and how well Mike was doing. I would smile, nod, and think to myself, of course Mike is doing well – he’s much bigger and stronger than I am! Until last night…
Last night Mark turned to me and said “I thought we would sit tonight.” And so we did – except this time there was no “we” it was all him. Immediately Mark was sitting tall and strong, he did not slouch, nor did he require me to “gently” balance him. I stood there with my mouth hanging open, looking at my friend seated as casually as if he had just walked into the room and sat down in front of me. After doing a few “tricks” (essentially showing off) he sat quietly by himself until he was done.
Keep up the good work my friend. Persistence does pay off. I’ll sit awhile with you anytime.