Never is a 4 letter word
The audacity of professionals to use words such as cannot and never. I have heard many parents tell stories about how their children were not expected to live let alone learn how to walk and communicate. There are many professionals who will not touch a future prediction by saying ‘we just don’t know’ and many times we don’t. I remember our neurologist (whom we absolutely loved) say “she could have a long and happy life, or an early death” because we just did not know.
But there are some things we do know. Never is a finite term and should not be used regarding human capabilities. People change, people grow, society evolves, technology is amazing, and so on. I once heard a speech therapist tell a mom that her son would “never be able to communicate”. I witnessed him communicate every time I visited him at school. He would turn his back to the teacher because he did not want to do what she was asking. (I would have done the same as it was ridiculous and childish work)
I am thinking of this today because a Facebook memory popped up of my daughter from 9 years ago. She was walking for the very first time at the age of four. We had tried many gait trainers that just did not work for her. A gait trainer is a mobility device used to teach children how to walk while supporting them. It works fabulously for some children, but not mine. She would just sit there because that is who she is. The walker on the other hand offered minimal support and no place to sit. It was “not likely” that she would be able to do it having been so unsuccessful with all other attempts.
Now, I have a very competitive stubborn side and I do not like being told no, or never or can’t. Because in my gut I know that is not true, that there is indeed a way. This walker was the thing that was going to work for her. I was with her every day. I supported her learning every day. I held her little hands and tried to teach her to walk. I physically supported her.
On a Friday, this walker was dropped off so we could try it for the weekend and then would be picked up on Monday morning. We had 2 days to prove what we knew was possible. We did it in one. She did it in one. Never my *** Look at her go!!!