One of the first stats we were given about daughter was that most children with Down syndrome walk between the ages of 2 and 3. I remember thinking "If Eliza can walk by 2 everything is going to be fine." One of those irrational thoughts in the beginning that later you laugh about and think "I just didn't get it."
Cause here we are, Eliza turned 2 in May, it's July and she has stalled out at taking about 2-3 independent steps. I know it's not going to be like my son where he woke up one morning, walked across the room and decided his crawling days are over. I also know that if she doesn't walk until three (I don't want to jinx it by saying past 3), that everything is still going to be fine.
So why did I just spend 1/2 my therapy session lamenting that Eliza still isn't walking. Is it the constant question from long distance relatives of "Is she walking yet?". Is it the sight of children half her age running around the park? Is it her PT constantly asking me if we are picking her up too much, if we are practicing at home, if she is wearing her vest and othotics all the time? Probably a combination. Perhaps i feel i am failing her as a mother by thinking "She'll really walk when she's really ready." When I should be pushing her more, and why can't I push her more?
Maybe it's because she is happy with the way things are. She's not frustrated, in her mind she gets where she wants to go just fine. She'd much rather work on her swimming and bubble blowing, her pillow fort building skills and perfecting her finger painting. Walking may not be a priority in her life right now and it's our job as her family to support that.
And always remember the turtle and the hare...
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