Adam's Camp

Hello my few, yet loyal, readers. My apologies for being such a slacker on updating you on the adventures of Riley and I.

It is Adam's Camp week! As some of you may know, the last time we attended Adam's Camp Riley became horribly ill with a stomach virus the very first day. She was completely uninterested in the entire program, so thanks to the wonderful people behind the program's financing, Riley was granted a second chance at this unique intensive therapy opportunity.

When filling out paperwork for Adam's Camp the parent has to write a little about their child's demeanor, and if you know her or have even seen Riley's pictures, you know that she is a little fireball full of smiles and love. I, being the modestly proud mother that I am, wrote all about Riley in the light that I see her. Unfortunately this was not the light she was shining that week and it broke my heart for them not to see the wonderful little "Riley" that I know she is. This week is a completely different story. She is taking control and showing off all of the wonderful things she can do with a smile on her face that could light a city block.

The camp is Monday through Friday 9-12 in Stapleton. Monday is really the only day parents are allowed to participate. The rest of the week they have speakers for the parent's to a) give us a break and b) encourage as much independence in the children as possible. I don't know if it's because Riley is who she is or because I am who I am, but I am kind of a "clingy" mommy. I like to be by her side cheering her on at all times. So this is as good/difficult for me as it is for her. The nice thing about it is they have two-way mirrors here so I can peek in on her if I have to. I'm trying to keep myself busy in the parent room blogging and practicing my sign language classes and enjoy a few moments of just "being" without a person attached to me. The few times I have gone to peek at her though, she was doing amazing! She is always participating and signing/vocalizing what she is doing, trying her very best to do the things the therapists are helping her with. I am beaming with so much pride, my cheeks hurt from smiling.



It is really nice to be around other special needs families, where everyone really gets everything we deal with on a day to day basis. It also makes me step back and see that Riley is doing very very well for her age and diagnosis. Yes, sometimes it is difficult to deal with never ending therapies and medical issues, but really we have it very easy. I do not want to take this for granted. I am supposed to have her. I am meant to be her "clingy" mother and she was meant to be my beautiful social butterfly of a firecracker daughter. I know this blog is already long, so don't feel like you have to keep reading, but I'm going to keep going...