(Sometimes you want to go)

Where everybody knows your name

Sept. 5, 2010

I realize that I’m dating myself right away using a reference to the old sitcom Cheers, but the theme just kept running through my mind as Nathan started his 4th year of preschool this week. There’s no doubt he’s a rock star there, and as we opened up the main doors and the cheer of “Nathan” rang out, I flashed back to the show and the chorus of “Norm” as their favorite regular walked through the door. The best part was Nathan actually did walk though the door.

Just a few weeks ago, we tried to get Nathan to use his walker from the car to his room. We figured that he would want to be at the same level as the other kids, able to chase and follow them around the room. Much to our dismay, there was no such interest. We’ve been working on walking at PT and at home, he wanted to join in the fun of the other kids at the baseball post-season picnic. It seemed as though connections were starting to be made. He was starting to see the walker, less as a device to be left in, and more of a way for him to assert his desire for independence.

As Nathan and I pulled up to the school, I could see the sparkle in his eye appear. He had been stuck at home with Dad long enough, and now was his chance to be back with his friends. As the school buses lined up behind us, it was evident that Nathan knew it was going to be a good day. I put his legs through the seat, and started to strap his chest prompts on, and I could feel the tug that I was holding him back. I looped the bookbag onto the front handle and headed for the front door.

One step at a time, the excitement would build, as would his confidence that he was doing it. He was going to school all by himself. He was so excited he didn’t even know Mom had snuck out of work to see him arrive on his first day. When he stopped to take it all in, Annette passed him by cheering him on and again the little legs followed.

We opened the door (always a big hit) and he could see the teachers inside, most of whom had seen him hanging out in the walker but never move like this. They got excited he got excited and the little legs moved a little faster.

This year, he’s on the second floor meaning having to take the elevator more often than last year. As Annette got on, Nathan followed. When we got off, so did he. He strutted towards the classroom door I had entered, and Annette steered him through the portal. He was the first student to arrive, but he still felt like it was where he wanted to be. It didn’t take long for him to realize he could get to the toys on the shelf and play with the puzzles left on top. His whole new perspective brought enforced his new attitude that this is going to be a good year.

Annette and I left shortly after the other kids arrived. There aren’t many happier guys than he being around friends (including teachers) and getting back to the routine. As I arrived to pick him up, he was in a activity chair. Teacher Beth said he had been in the walker almost two hours, and his little legs looked like they needed a break. I went up and got his walker and brought it down. I put him in, but understood if he didn’t want to walk for the workout he had already been put through. To my surprise, he hopped right up, strode down the long hallway and out to the parent pick-up spots where my car was parked. We got in the car and headed for home. Our biggest fear is that he may have overdone it, not realizing he still had three more days of school to go this week. He handled the rest of the week like a champ.

On Sunday, our church held a community day with games, inflatables, food and music. Right after church, he was going around in his pushchair to several different games, and he and I made it to the top of the giant slide twice (God willing) before sliding our way back to the bottom. At least the first time, it seemed Nathan’s favorite part was the climb. After an hour or so, he and I headed home so Nathan could eat and get a nap.

We headed back later in the day, this time armed with the walker. It would be the first time for many to see him move on his own, and show what great things God is doing for him. For the first 40 minutes Nathan wouldn’t move, no matter who came over to cheer him on. He looked over the whole area, looking over the people the activities, the noises. We took him out of the walker to enjoy one of the musicians singing children’s songs. Afterwards, I put him back in and he started off slowly moving around.

Wanting to see how others acted about him in his walker. Moving towards some kids, stopping to watch others, he started to build confidence that this was the place he knew and could feel comfortable in. The steps started coming more freely, and he was in charge of his own steering. I would correct him if he had gone too far, but it was a good chance for him to learn that he can take control and that where he puts his feet does make a difference.

He walked for the better part of 45 minutes to an hour, and I’m pretty confident that he walked close to a mile moving all over. Inside and out, around and around some things, being encouraged to chase some people and just applauded by others. Annette and I were flooded with words of excitement by those amazed at what he was doing, and many others sent further encouragement for the future. It just goes to show that when you’re in a comfortable environment, a home away from home the great things he can do.

Back to previous postings