About 3 weeks ago, Bun Bun came home from school with an invitation to a birthday party. It was Emily's 5th birthday celebration. It was going to be a pool party. Several thoughts came to me. 1. So, this is the start of the parade of birthday parties now that she's in school. 2. It's one of those "invite the entire class" invitations. Did they know Bun Bun has special needs? 3. Should we accept the invitation? How will Bun Bun fit in? She can't really do all the things her peers do. 4. I'm going to have to go with her and will probably end up chasing after her the entire time. What will that be like? 5. It's a birthday party! Bun Bun needs to be with children her own age, especially kids she already knew.
I debated back and forth whether to let her go or not.
Then, several things happened.
About a week after we got the invitation, I had a meeting with Bun Bun's teacher and her crew (OT, PT, Speech, Special Ed). Everyone commented on how well Bun Bun has been paying attention to her activities. Something seemed to have clicked. She has been particularly attentive during speech therapy, so much so that she's been making tremendous progress with mimicking and repeating sounds with her therapist. She sits nicely during circle time and watches her teacher. She doesn't need her special little chair anymore. Bun Bun's teacher mentioned that she usually sits next to Emily and sometimes leans on her and uses her as a pillow.
Emily?
Bun Bun needs to be with children her own age more! This kept ringing in my ear. OK. I guess it'll be all right. I should just let her go.
So, four days before the party, I finally called Emily's mom and told her we were coming. I said we because I knew I had to stay. Our conversation turned out to be very unexpected.
Pleasantly unexpected!
Emily's mom asked who we were since there were two other girl with Bun Bun's name. I told her we were the one with the Down Syndrome. Thinking more about it, I'm not really sure why I said that since there are plenty more other descriptions that fit, probably better. As soon as Emily's mom realized who we were, she let out a shrill of excitement.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're coming!"
She went on to tell me that Emily's older sister has a best friend with Down Syndrome. And, when she was a little girl, her best of all best friends was a boy with DS. (I guess having friends with DS runs in that family.) Needless to say, I felt really good and reassured that Bun Bun will be all right.
The party was yesterday. Bun Bun had a FANTASTIC time. When we arrived, Emily ran up, all wet in her bathing suit, and gave her a big hug. Bun Bun jumped into the pool, and the giggles of joy were nonstop. She ate a slice of birthday cake all by herself. Everyone couldn't be nicer. The poor child cries big crocodile tears when we had to leave. She really loves playing in the pool. At the end, Emily gave Bun Bun a kiss on the cheek as we said goodbye.
Emily will be headed to kindergarten in the fall. I hope this is not the last we'll see of her.
