Cora is at a point in her short life where everything is an adventure. She explores and points and asks questions. She wants to know what things are and how they work. After being shown a few times, she will try to work whatever the gadget is herself. Her language skills keep improving and she has started to walk behind her little bike that her Papa and GG got her for her birthday. Yes, she is certainly mobile and determined.
As read that, I hope the first thought in your mind was similar to mine as I typed it. Wow, I am listing regular kids stuff! What an amazing feeling. Still, this late in the game, I often hear about what Cora can't do, isn't doing, or should be doing. Still, this late in the game, I often respond with "Let's focus on what she IS doing, CAN do and WILL do.".
Is this walk with Cora on her journey a challenging one? Absolutely! But in all things, if you stand back and look at it with a solid faith, it becomes ever doable, ever loving and ever rewarding.
The latest accomplishment was a review that was done for Early On. A test to see how far Cora has progressed, and of course, where she is lagging. The one part of the test asked about her language skills. It asked if she was saying three or four word sentences. I said, "Yes, she signs a three word sentence." I was told that didn't count, that it had to be verbal responses. Didn't count? How does that not count? It requires cognitive reasoning and developmental understanding to speak or formulate a three word sentence. I again grew frustrated with the system of testing that we have available for our children with certain needs.
How would that test qualify a deaf child who cannot speak other than through sign? Or a mute child that cannot speak with the use of her hands? To me, it only focused on what Cora wasn't doing, according to someone's requirements. It did not take into consideration that Cora can , and does, often speak in two, three and rarely four word sentences. While the words are spoken through sign language, they are spoken in a way that is understood by another person. Is the use of hand language not a form of speaking?
While the Early On team was impressed with Cora's ability to sign and even "talk" with them, the paper form did not allow the reward for Cora. Did not allow for the recognition of the work it takes for Cora to have learned the signs and talk with others.
So again, while others focus on what Cora isn't doing....I will focus on what she is doing and continue to share in her WOW moments! You can do the same for yourself. Instead of focusing on what you aren't doing, or haven't achieved, look at what you have done and are doing. You will probably have a WOW moment of your own.
