Fall Picnic

Today was the Progress Centre's annual fall picnic. We had a great day for it - not very warm, but very sunny and calm. It was a pretty good turnout and the boys had a good time. There was an entertainer who was putting on a little show for the kids - playing his guitar and singing interactive songs. Malcolm really liked it and did a really good job making all the signs he was supposed to. It was really nice to see. Unfortunately we had to leave just as the puppet show was starting as Donovan had to attend the birthday party of a friend (it was a busy day!). But we did see several people that we know - one family that we had not seen for quite a while so that was nice.

Tomorrow, we will have fun with costumes and pumpkins - Donovan is quite excited about Hallowe'en this year. Malcolm was running around wearing his new witch hat this afternoon...

Mary Ellen

Quick update

A few cute things Malcolm has done recently:

1. He has started saying something a lot like "bye, bye" when waving bye-bye to someone.

2. Last night he decided to clear the table - his Dad helped hand him dishes etc from the table and he trundled them over to me in the kitchen. He was very pleased with himself!

3. He and his brother have been dancing lots to ABBA - they both like lots of twirls.

Mary Ellen

Costumes

Today Malcolm and I went to look at Hallowe'en costumes. He likes to grab anything he can snag when we're out shopping and today he grabbed a purple witch hat with black lacy stuff all over it. It was a bit big for him but was really cute on his head and he was laughing away as he wore it around the store. So I got it for him - it will be a good addition to our stock of dressup clothes. I also found a fireman's shirt for Malcolm to go with his fireman's hat, a wizard hat for the boys, a batman shirt for Donovan - we already have a cape. And a black cat costume for Malcolm. All for less than twenty dollars, which is pretty good I think. Donovan already has a Hallowe'en costume but will enjoy have a few more items to play dressup with I think.

On the subject of dressing, Malcolm has taken a real interest in putting on his own clothes. He loves to sit down and put his own legs through the holes in his pants, then stands to pull them up (he needs a bit of help which he is unwilling to admit as he prefers to be independent). He has not figured out shirts so well but is getting there. Boots he perfected when we were at the farm in the summer (he refused to wear shoes for a couple of weeks). He has been able to do the "flip trick" with his coat since last winter and just needs a bit of help starting the zipper. So he is doing really well and is (rightfully) very proud of his accomplishments. So he should really enjoy playing dressup with his big brother...

Mary Ellen

Adoption

There are many couples in North America who are willing to adopt a child with Ds. In fact, there is such a demand that it is typically not difficult to find homes for infants with Ds. In the US, there is a real movement on to adopt children from Eastern Europe where infants with Ds are put in orphanages and at age 5 moved to mental institutions. This blog is just one example of many I have found of families who adopt one or more such children. There are charities and agencies devoted to this cause. Many of the families who adopt a child from overseas do so because they have a child of their own with Ds and cannot bear the thought of other children shut away in such awful institutions. Clearly there are many caring individuals who are trying to make a difference.

It is upsetting to think that it was not so long ago that Canadian society tended to shut away people with Ds in institutions. I saw a documentary at the CDSS conference I attended in Halifax the year Malcolm was born. It was about historical abuse of intellectually disabled people at institutions in Canada. It was so upsetting that I had to leave before it was over (and I wasn't the only one). It really drove home the fact that segregation of people who are different is not the answer. Most people are not likely to go to the extent of welcoming a child with Ds into their families through adoption but hopefully most people are willing to let children and adults with Ds into their schools, work places and neighbourhoods. I think we all have a collective responsibility to make sure that some of the most vulnerable people in our society will never again be shunted aside and subjected to such a horrible existence.

Malcolm is lucky that he will benefit so much from changing perceptions about people with intellectual disabilities. We have had very few negative experiences when we introduce Malcolm to people or talk about him with others. Supports and attitudes in the medical community, daycares and schools are all so much better than ever before and significant progress is being made on employment and housing or assisted living for adults. The future has never been so bright and hopefully it will just get brighter as he grows up.

Mary Ellen

Signing fever

Well, we made it through last night. Malcolm felt miserable all night with a high fever so did not sleep much but the fever is gone now so am expecting a much better night tonight. I think it was a reaction to this flu shot which he got yesterday. His arm is really red where the shot went in as well so likely his arm is sore. Jan has been away all weekend but of course now that he's back Malcolm will saw logs all night.

Malcolm did really well with his signing today - we are still trying to get him to pair more signs instead of just doing single signs. Today he used "want" quite a bit as in "want cracker", "want milk" etc. At lunch he was making these really elaborate signs with a lot of energy and purpose. He seemed to be saying that he wanted to go in the "car" "outside" to see a "cow". I have no idea what brought this on. When I said "Malcolm, do you want to go for a drive in the car to see a cow" he nodded his head vigorously and pointed "down" (meaning he wanted out of his high chair). Unfortunately I had to disappoint him and tell him it was time for his nap but he seemed pretty ok with that...

Mary Ellen

Pony

This is another photo from last weekend. Malcolm did not ride on the pony but had fun sitting on it and patting it gently for a few minutes. Donovan quite enjoyed his ride and thought it was great that Malcolm had a turn. We had a good day today too. The weather was great again and we spent quite a bit of time outside. We also carved one of the pumpkins - Donovan wanted to carve all three but it is so mild out I'm concerned they won't last long once carved.

Unfortunately Malcolm is feeling unwell tonight - alternating between chills and being really hot. Hopefully he is able to settle down and get a good night's sleep...

Mary Ellen

Making music

Malcolm rediscovered his music table in the basement so we brought it upstairs and Donovan helped him get settled in a snug little corner to play with it. Malcolm loves musical toys - the other item he has been playing a lot with lately is a battery operated saxophone toy. Malcolm holds it correctly, puts it in his mouth and kind of hums as he pushes the buttons to make noise - where did he learn all that? Malcolm can be very observant. The other thing he and Donovan have been doing a lot is requesting ABBA so they can dance to it together (very exuberantly) - too cute...

Malcolm had a really great week this week. Many days this fall he has been quite fussy when at home with me and needing a lot of attention but this week he was very content to play a bit on his own as well as "help" me with some household tasks - a big relief and hopefully something that will continue!

I kind've fell of the wagon this week in terms of posting but will try to do better for the rest of the month.

Mary Ellen