If you are joining this blog for the first time, welcome! Feel free to read past posts...
This past weekend my mom and step-dad came to visit us from the great state of Kentucky (Grayson, Kentucky to be exact). We had a wonderful time visiting, and both boys loved the attention they received from Grandma and Grandpa! But the highlight of the entire weekend was on Sunday as the grandparents were packing up to leave...
I was talking with my mom as she was packing. Frank was out side taking things to the car and the boys were watching Veggie Tales! Being a mom of young children my ears are always on "hyper mode". One ear is always listening out for the boys, ALWAYS! Mid conversation with my mom I hear the bathroom door... "Oh, no!" I announce and run to the bathroom before it is decorated with toilet paper, or before Joshua (the 2 1/2 year old) can finger paint with commode water. Much to my surprise Joshua is still in the living room enjoying Veggie Tales... "Where is Caleb?" I ask myself. "Caleb is 6. He is too old to be playing in the bathroom... Please, Lord, not Caleb... I thought he was past this..." I quietly say in my head.
I open the door to the bathroom... it is Caleb! But he is not destroying the room is standing like a big boy, lights on, pants down, seat up, ready to pee!!! I quickly close the door and give the boy some much deserved privacy. I nearly cried with pride! Caleb was going pee pee by himself! I (along with Grandma and Grandpa) stood just outside of the bathroom listening to the ever so beautiful sound of Caleb urinating... As he opened the door we all cheered and clapped and sang his praise. We had a Pee Party for Caleb!
Now to parents out there with "typically" developing children this may seem a bit late in life... Caleb is six years old for goodness sakes... You are right! But with the Down syndrome many things happen on a slightly different schedule. Caleb has several factors that are working against him, once you understand these factors you will be celebrating with him! Kids with DS can have low muscle tone/control, therefore they have a hard time "holding it". There can be low sensory as well, meaning they do not feel that they need to go potty. Finally there is the issue of communication. Caleb has many words but pronunciation is a real factor. Caleb pees and poops on the toilet, however we have to physically take him there. Sunday he was able to listen to his body, control his urges and than take care of his need by himself!!!
I know we are not there yet... he has not repeated this great feat again... But he will and when he does we will have anther Pee Party!
