There are things that we choose not to dwell on in our family. Among the big ones are two things we can't change: food allergies and Dyspraxia. Both are ever present, silently lingering among our days, we feel them, sometimes we suffer because of them, sometimes we wish them away, but we never give them power over us. In our lives we have the power to overcome anything.
No one exemplifies overcoming obstacles like Evan. I can't put into words the work ethic and dedication that Evan harnesses into real life accomplishments. Sometimes he doesnt get the recognition he deserves for these triumphs. Afterall, most 6 years old can hold a pencil, write their names, jump rope. But, these small accomplishments didnt come naturally to Evan.
This past year and a half has been hard for Evan, he has worked, and worked, and been rewarded with only more work. Through physical therapy he built finger and hand muscle strength and used that muscle tone in occupational therapy to learn to hold a pencil. Once he learned to hold his pencil he was pushed to master writing. Hours upon hours of therapy, every week, every month, for nearly a year and a half now. Through all that hard work, not a single complaint. More than that, through it all, smiles and those sweet brown eyes beaming with pride and happiness.
Maybe he is too young to understand that he has to work harder than his peers? Maybe he has always had to work harder to achieve, so he knows no different? Maybe its his inner spirit of happiness that conquers his struggles? Im not sure which propels him forward, always reaching, striving and accomplishing the seemingly unachievable. What I do know is, all his therapists and teachers who have worked with Evan have complimented him on his dedication to achieving combined with the happiness that pours from his very soul.
I have learned so much from being a mom. Especially with three crazy boys, each with their own personalities, strengths and weaknesses. My children have shaped me in ways that I never dreamed of. But, Evan, he has inspired me in such unique and wonderful ways. Evan has taught me so much about dreaming big and believing in yourself no matter what doctors, specialists, teachers, therapists say and then taking that belief and making it real with hard work.
For two years Ive been worrying about Evan learning to pedal a bike. I cried the day that I kept Evan home from preschool last year on "bike parade" day. At 6 years old Evan just could not pedal a bike. Coordination issues combine with low muscle strength made it impossible for him. So, when my parents told me that they had bought Evan a bike at a bike sale and were bringing it over to have him learn to ride, I was skeptical. When I saw that the bike had no training wheels, my skepticism grew. Evan upon seeing the bike declared that he was going to ride it. And so he tried, and tried and tried. And then...
Today, in the sunshine of our grassy lawn my mom, dad, G and I looked on as Evan conquered his disability and rode a bike for the very first time.
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