Stories from the Week

aka Why I love my Job

• Visiting the NICU and NICU follow-up clinic seeing precious little miracles fighting for life and reaching developmental milestones at a slow pace. One little baby girl was so very tiny and had been out of the NICU for a week. I think she was born at 25 weeks. She was smiling in her sleep and it was absolutely beautiful. (I kind of wish I could work there some)
• Teaching a boy with mild autism to tie his shoes. This week he was able to complete the first 3 steps on his own...make an X, tuck under/go into the hole, and pull tight...next week we might just master the bunny ears!
• Watching a child draw a square for the first time
• Seeing a little boy with a heart condition, seizures, etc. smile/laugh throughout the session...this is weekly!
• Referring to therapy as "Jedi Training" to make it more fun for a child who has been in therapy basically his entire life.
• Watching a 10 year old do jumping jacks correctly
• Working with the most precious little girl who talks in a whisper as if she is telling you her most precious secrets
• Seeing a 4 year old come running to sit down at the table in his classroom (He usually has difficulty getting started and is definitely not smiling when we start most days)
• Being thanked 5+ times by a parent during a 30 minute session and seeing this child cry to go home one moment and give a cheesy grin the next.
• Letting a child "graduate" from therapy because he is age appropriate
• Giving a child a paper clip as his reward for doing a good job...this kid LOVES office supplies!!!
• Loads of laughter, just a few tears, and smiles that could go for miles

This one doesn't really fit with the above but deserves to be shared...Witnessing a girl fight in a high school cafeteria first thing this morning.