Reality Check! This may burst your bubble or dash your dreams of a little future olympian but here's the thing: We are just lucky - and I mean LUCKY! - to have healthy, active children who are able to participate in sports or music or academics with mainstream kids. They don't have to be the best. They may even be the least skilled player on the team but let me tell you, if YOU keep everything in perspective and applaud their effort, celebrate the positive, then they will too.
I had the pleasure of watching a dance performance by some very unique children who are members of 'Dance Unlimited'. Their teacher is a former dancer turned physical therapist who incorporates modern, really cool dance moves and pop music into their physical therapy. She adjusts the choreography for each dancer's physical capabilities. The result is beautiful. The kids have a blast performing. They are joyful and expressive and quite frankly, much better dancers than some of us middle-agers who took the stage later that evening.
These children's parents made the effort to bring their children to this fundraiser so they could perform for us. They videotaped their babies and watched them with love and pride. These kids and their families have a whole different set of expectations. They aren't complaining about playing time or whether their child has a solo. One mother told me her nine year old daughter couldn't even stand alone just a few months prior. Now she dances unaided. Think about that my Friends. Her nine year old can dance alone for the first time.
There wasn't a dry eye in the place when these kids were done dancing. They were adorable, charming children who face daunting obstacles with smiles on their faces and pride in their hearts for every little accomplishment.
Think about that next time you are on the sideline yelling at your nine year old to play better, hit harder or run faster. Or when your heart is pissed off at the coach because your kid is riding the bench instead of playing first string.
We are LUCKY to have children who make the team at all.
(Check out pictures our Facebook Page: PPC Family Fund or visit our website at www.ppcfamilyfund.com)
I had the pleasure of watching a dance performance by some very unique children who are members of 'Dance Unlimited'. Their teacher is a former dancer turned physical therapist who incorporates modern, really cool dance moves and pop music into their physical therapy. She adjusts the choreography for each dancer's physical capabilities. The result is beautiful. The kids have a blast performing. They are joyful and expressive and quite frankly, much better dancers than some of us middle-agers who took the stage later that evening.
These children's parents made the effort to bring their children to this fundraiser so they could perform for us. They videotaped their babies and watched them with love and pride. These kids and their families have a whole different set of expectations. They aren't complaining about playing time or whether their child has a solo. One mother told me her nine year old daughter couldn't even stand alone just a few months prior. Now she dances unaided. Think about that my Friends. Her nine year old can dance alone for the first time.
There wasn't a dry eye in the place when these kids were done dancing. They were adorable, charming children who face daunting obstacles with smiles on their faces and pride in their hearts for every little accomplishment.
Think about that next time you are on the sideline yelling at your nine year old to play better, hit harder or run faster. Or when your heart is pissed off at the coach because your kid is riding the bench instead of playing first string.
We are LUCKY to have children who make the team at all.
(Check out pictures our Facebook Page: PPC Family Fund or visit our website at www.ppcfamilyfund.com)