We just got back from a oh so nice vacation to Turks & Caicos with some friends-thank you Killeas!- and while there we made some new friends too. I can clearly remember most of them including Lu and it made me so happy. I told Jason that I realized something- I think Lucia attracts good people to us.. I truly do. It may have been a simple "Hi Lu" or "Bye Lu" but it meant so much. She is a very loving, outgoing, LIVING special little person and she LOVES to be included...even when it's the little things, as simple as a hi or little foot squeeze.
Thank you for talking to and believing in my child.
Therapies will always be a part of our lives with Lucia and some we enjoy more than others. Last week we met with an awesome new speech pathologist. Lu tried out a device we hope may serve as a pathway for her to communicate. The therapist could not have treated Lucia with more respect and hope. Instead of acting like I was the only person in the room (as people often do), she sometimes made me feel like Lu was the only person in the room and I LOVED that. Sarah was there to work with Lu and Lu was there, because I brought her there of course, but I believe she just wants people to believe in her, give her a chance! Sarah believes! We are going to start this new therapy 1-2x a week and see how it goes.
Therapies will always be a part of our lives with Lucia and some we enjoy more than others. Last week we met with an awesome new speech pathologist. Lu tried out a device we hope may serve as a pathway for her to communicate. The therapist could not have treated Lucia with more respect and hope. Instead of acting like I was the only person in the room (as people often do), she sometimes made me feel like Lu was the only person in the room and I LOVED that. Sarah was there to work with Lu and Lu was there, because I brought her there of course, but I believe she just wants people to believe in her, give her a chance! Sarah believes! We are going to start this new therapy 1-2x a week and see how it goes.
Thank you for pushing and being my child's cheerleader!
A couple weeks ago Lu's physical therapist Grace texted me- she wanted to try out a gait trainer with Lucia. That text made me smile from ear to ear and made me so proud of my bird. Grace will push Lu and she will present new things when she feels she is ready so I don't instigate too much when it comes to PT equipment. So, when Grace felt Lu was ready for a gait trainer it was a big deal. A gait trainer is similar to a walker but it has a bicycle seat to provide support. We hope Lu will gain mobility using it and one day we can move to a walker. Grace from day one has talked to Lu, coached her, pushed her and believed in her and she has helped Lu accomplish so much!
Not only can my child not talk back but she is legally blind so talking to her creates her view, creates her vision of you and the world. Talking to her, loving her, being nice to her makes YOU BEAUTIFUL in her eyes. This is ALL my Lucia needs to see you as a beautiful person. She may not respond with her voice, she may not turn her head or even show a sign of listening but she knows and she hears!
Hey Lu, Hi Lubird, I'm going to pick you up Lu, Check out this caterpillar Lu, Want to try this pudding Lu?, Your daddy tooted Lu not me, You have the softest feet Lu, I'm going to give you a little poke in your arm but it won't hurt for more than a second, Let's go outside Lu, I'm sad about your friends being sick Lu, This is how you sign "eat" Lu, This is a red rose Lu, You have the prettiest eyes Lu, Move your head to hit the button Lu so you can tell us more music, Your sister is sooooo silly Lu, Do you hear that airplane Lu?, This is sand Lu, This is the ocean and there are fish and whales and all sorts of amazing creatures in there, Thanks for being my friend Lu, I want to hug you Lu, Bye Lu, It was so great to meet you Lu, God loves you so much Lu, I Love you Lu.
We may never know for sure what a nonverbal person is capable of understanding. How sad would it be to not be included only because you were not able to communicate back? Our Lu- SHE IS HERE! She is a part of this world and she is shining her light every single day. Talk to the light. Talk to her and I know her light inside ignites brighter every time. Talk to her and she will communicate if you give her a chance. She is an amazing listener, friend and sparkle that I can't imagine my life without.
Thank you to everyone who includes my Lubird. I promise it is making a big impact on her life and I hope it does on yours too. She hears every single word.
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