Drive, drive on down the field
(the sidewalk, classroom, …)
Sept. 12, 2010
Growing up, I never played organized football. I was always the band-geek type. After school, I’d walk past the football practice field heading to our field. I’d see the drills, hear all the grunts and whistles. I knew how much time they spent in the weight room and how hard they worked.
The drill that I'd always watch was the blocking sled. Two or three at a time, a whistle would blow, they’d drop their shoulders, dig in with their cleats and send several hundred pounds sliding across the grass. I’d often wonder how hard it was to move. Some could make it look like it was on a patch of ice while others looked stuck in the mud.
Now that football season is in full swing, I still think about those kids (of all ages) running that drill whenever I see Nathan in his walker. Sure it's on wheels, but for him to get moving he too has to dig in drive though his legs and push with all his might. Unlike the blocking sled, Nathan is strapped into his walker, but for him to move…anywhere, in any direction, he’s pushing almost 27 pounds with him. To put it in a better perspective, that’s over 75% of his total body weight, (even after we’ve been working on putting more weight on him.)
What’s so encouraging, as a parent, is to watch is the determination he puts into making himself mobile. Nathan is quickly outgrowing his current walker and with any luck (dealing with insurance, preferred vendors and the like) we may get the new one before the 2011 rolls around. Still, if you watch the video from May, you’ll see those legs churning, shoulders surging, the fire in his eyes and confidence building with each step he takes.
At first, we had to make a lot of exceptions to help that confidence build. "Oh, he’s stuck on a crack in the sidewalk." "Oops, he stalled on the mat." Something as simple as the footplate under the door would stop him dead in his tracks. Then Nathan would have to answer the question, is the prize on the other side worth the effort? As school, friends, and teachers became part of the prize, he’s normally risen to the occasion.
This past week, the teacher informed us that he’s taken his skills to a new level. Wednesday, we were told that our little angel had grown some horns and a tail. In an elevator, full of classmates, teacher and aid, he gave that signature giggle just before he tried to run three kids over. The next day, we were told that he had walked up against the back of the bookcase, dug his toes in and decided (in the teacher’s words) “to redecorate” pushing the bookcase to a new location. We've almost worn through our second pair of crocs this year, only this time it's from the bottom and not the top.
Today heading to church, I decided to make him use the walker opposed to pushing him in his stroller. He walked down the sidewalk and approached the front entrance, I looked back not thinking about the garden hose, I had routinely stepped over. But before I could get back to help him out, he planted his feet and popped not only the front wheels (which he could see) but also the back (which he couldn’t.) There were new people in front of him cheering him on (opening and holding the doors) and with the biggest grin he could muster, declared his arrival, strutting through for all to see.
He still has challenges on grass, dirt, sand and the sort, but hey, what’s life without goals and things to work toward. He also has support, motivation and fans where ever he goes.
Being an Ohio State fan, and attending what most consider one of their bigger challenges of the season, I watched with a new perspective and confidence of what great things can happen with practice, confidence and experience. God rewards those who believe they can, and know in their heart that with Him, all things are possible.
It won't be long until you hear us saying, "He could, go, all the way!" SportsCenter, here we come.
Site designed, written and maintained by Kevin Rearick, Graphic Designer and PMG Dad - 2010