Stories of Wil: Taking Note
Wil’s note from friends was a week-brightener!
submitted by Christie Taylor
Wil is a 14-year-old boy with Down syndrome. He is the little brother, by 20 months, to twin sisters, Katherine and Elizabeth. Wil mom, Christie, knew very little about Down syndrome when Wil was diagnosed shortly after his birth. It didn鈥檛 take long for Christie to realize how enriching life with Down syndrome is. Embracing this newfound life, Christie was compelled to share her experiences with Wil. Christie desire, in sharing these stories, is to promote an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the amazing capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome.
On Wednesday, I opened Wil school folder and found a letter folded in half.听 There was an intricate drawing on the outside of the letter to make it appear an envelope. I opened the letter and a colorful 鈥淗ey Wil! Good Morning!鈥 popped out at me. Along the side of the letter were the names of Wil friends, who were also the creators: Sarah Stommen, Ashley Bobo, Lilly Smith, Lila Harvey. I knew how good this letter made me feel. I could only imagine what it felt like to Wil.
On Thursday, Wil and I went to his school Academic Awards night. He鈥檇 been to this event previous years for Katherine and Elizabeth, but this was the first time he would be walking up on the stage to accept an award for himself (Wil is on track for a Certificate of Completion).
Wil doesn鈥檛 like to be in auditoriums, or any place with loud abrupt noises such as applause. Even the anticipation of applause will keep him from entering the auditorium. Wil typically wears his noise-cancelling headphones to these events, but on Thursday night he didn鈥檛 want to wear them. (As he gotten older, he become more self-aware and refuses his headphones in nearly all instances except movie theaters.)听
When we walked up to the school, Wil saw his friends mingling on the sidewalk. Wil ran to them, and they ran to him, becoming a blur of laughter and hugs. The friends walked together into the auditorium and Wil didn鈥檛 hesitate once at the entrance. They all chose seats together near the stage.
I chose a seat a few rows up because I still wasn鈥檛 sure how things would go when he went up on the stage. But Wil handled it like a pro. He walked up to accept his award when his name was called, then made his way back down to his seat with his friends. When the event was over, he and his friends ran outside together for pictures.听
On Friday, the school had a civil war re-enactment. Square dancing was part of the event. Wil paraprofessional sent me a video of Wil square dancing with his classmates. He was all smiles and followed every direction of the square dance right along with everyone else.听
There were hiccups and deeper frustrations mixed in our week, too. But that how it goes with Wil. I鈥檝e learned to take every moment one step at a time, because every stuck moment breaks way to freedom in the form of a supportive note, a good friend, or Wil own emergence of independence.听
One of the greatest gifts of raising Wil is that no moment could ever be taken for granted as typical.听
You must be logged in to post a comment Login