jstevens04

He loves to sing, and sing and sing! He is in a Music Academy for the Blind, and is learning an array of different instruments. He also loves to wrestle with his brother, and play soccer. We put a plastic bag over the soccer ball, so he can hear it roll through the grass.

That's the best thing I could have heard. Thank you so much!

Thank you! That's a tough one, because they both make me laugh everyday...

I think the funniest thing that has happened (and it was one of those you had to be there moments) was with Gavin at the grocery store. Many children who are blind speak in 3rd person when they are beginning to talk. Gavin has just transitioned out of this phase this year. Instead of say "I ate a bagel", he would say "You ate a bagel", etc. Anyhow, we were at the grocery store, and Gavin passed gas. I mean the loudest thing that seemed like it lasted for a whole 30 seconds, and echoed off the walls. It was so loud, he began laughing so hysterically, everyone in the produce section also started giggling and smiling. Trying to diffuse the situation, I kept telling him to quiet down, but he yells out "Ewwww .... YOU farted!!" (Instead of "I farted"). So now, this little 3 year old is blaming it on me, not knowing he is blaming it on me, because he is trying to take ownership... since he is really proud of his tooting rear. It was one of those red faced moments, with about 10 people around laughing, that I will always remember. It's a memory that I will remember during that phase of his life when he spoke in 3rd person for so long, and it's a funny memory to look back on (and be embarrassed about). lol

The process of him walking, took about a year. It took a long time to get him to just sit up independently. His favorite spot as a baby, was laying completely flat on his back, with full body contact to the ground. If you think about it, this is safe. Sitting up, and being in open space, not knowing what is around you, and most importantly, if you are safe. We had to teach him this, before we even began trying to help him take his first step. Once he began standing, we would lean him against the wall, and encourage leaving the wall, and walking into open space. Once he did that, he was very hesitant, but also very excited and also a little stressed. As the weeks went by, and he began to realize we were there to protect him, and he felt safe, he began doing it himself! Now we came to the hard part, because now he was walking, but how did he protect himself? The months following, we had to teach him "hands out"... he walks with his hands out to protect his face and torso. I remember him laughing and laughing, when he took his first 2 steps, and really understood what he was doing. I'm getting teary eyed thinking about it.

I would like them to stop and say hello. He doesn't know you are there until you say something. Bend down, extend your hand and say hi. He will begin talking to you instantly and ask you 100 questions!