It's true. Huzzah. I ran 13 miles last week and I'll probably run about 20 miles this week. The hamstring is feeling pretty good, not perfect, because it feels kind like it's weak. Um, because, it is. Lame.
I can barely explain how wonderful it has been getting back into my dusty old running shoes. I work through a lot of crud in my head when I'm out running. I don't process my life's worries as easily while doing the dishes or driving. This week, my son has been weighing heavily in my thoughts during my miles.
When our kids were small, my wise sister-in-law said, “I think easy babies are boring. It's much more fun to have a spirited child.” At the time, I wasn't so sure. I wished for a baby that would sleep contently in a car seat, or a toddler that I could take to a restaurant. That wasn't in the cards, but I wouldn't change out my hand, now. Last week, you could say that I've been anything but “bored” with my challenging 12-year old.
Recently, while I was running, I was
listening to a Podcast and a woman mentioned that she was with her “special
needs daughter” who had “ADHD.” I said out loud for everyone on
Fanno Creek trail to hear, “ADHD is not Special Needs!”
Maybe because my son is diagnosed with ADHD/ADD, I had a knee jerk reaction to the label “Special Needs” when it comes to ADHD. I've always thought that it was a label for a condition or diagnosis that is more serious and all encompassing, like Autism, Down Syndrome, or Cerebral Palsy. Maybe that is a fallacy? Maybe I've been deluding myself into thinking that because I don't want my kid to have such a label? Honestly, I'm not sure.
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| Hmm...there it is: ADHD |
Jude is now 12 and in the 6th
grade. As with any child and any age, there are trying, demanding,
unpleasantly surprising, but also loving, quiet and carefree times.
Jude has many fantastic traits, but he also has struggles. This last
week, he and I have been having a tough time working together. I know
what he needs to do, but getting him to comply is the problem. I'm
sure that many parents feel this struggle.
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| Dysgraphia. Luckily, we are in the digital age. |
In addition to his diagnosis of ADD, he
also has dysgraphia (difficulty with handwriting such that it's
illegible and nearly impossible for him to do). Given these
challenges, school has been less than a stellar place for Jude.
We've struggled the last 6 years because in spite his challenges,
Jude also has very high test scores (we're talking 98 percentile),
and a very high IQ (yeah, probably a lot higher than mine, little
brat). You may not think so, but it was a disadvantage for Jude to
score well on tests, but actually NEED help in the classroom beyond
that of other students in order to complete his work.
At the end of the last school year, we finally got more specific help for Jude with an IEP [Individualized Education Plan]. The psychologist remarked during the IEP meeting, “we've never had a kid with test scores THIS high in Special Ed.” And, that's when it hit me:
Special Ed.
Special Needs.
My kid is...well, Special.
In my heart, I've always known this. Even now, I have to remind myself daily that what is expected from other kids his age isn't a fair measurement because his brain is disorganized. At the same time, in other ways, he's light-years ahead of other kids, so again the expectations are different. He needs outside assistance to stay on track, but he fights this constantly. It will probably be this way at least for a while until he matures enough to realize that you have to work for what you want. What else is there to do? I have to keep helping him succeed, until he can do it on his own.
Why? Because I know that with
perseverance and hard work something special will come from my
intelligent, messy, argumentative, fun-loving son. Like my slow
come back from this annoying hamstring injury, I know Jude's success won't be easy, but it
will be worth it.
