As families prepare to observe the various religious and cultural holidays this winter season, it inherently includes school-based winter concerts.
Yaaaay! (Can you sense my enthusiasm?) Really, though, they are pretty cool. You get the opportunity to see your kids connect with their peers, teachers, and the broader school community in a really meaningful way. Well, for those of us with special needs kids, this narrative can be a bit different. Depending on your kid’s need(s), s/ he might be rolled out in a wheelchair, or walk with walking sticks, or present him or herself a little differently than his/her peers. Let me try to explain. This past week was my son’s school’s annual holiday concert. There were two groups of kids scheduled to sing: the 4th graders (older kids) and the 3rd graders (my son’s group). Each group sang for about 25 minutes, which was brilliant because I didn’t feel like it was “overkill” with the amount of people showed up. In fact, it was a REALLY strong showing of parents, caregivers, and other community members. To see that many folks felt good. The 4th graders were performing and “doing their thing”. But, there was one young man from whom I could NOT pull my eyes. He was doing “his” thing just a little more than the other kids. He sang with more pride and enthusiasm (P & E) than the others. He held his notes juuuust a little bit longer than the other kids. And he was placed right in the center of the choir, I suspect intentionally, for the positive attention that he might get. Now, I don’t know if he was a special needs kid. However, I did suspect it. My wife and I chuckled because he was singing his heart out and the entire audience knew it from the beginning. And, they encouraged it by their response to him. It was great. Then, the 3rd graders got up there. Avery previously told us that his group had 8 songs to sing, but it was a medley, which kept it moving (YES!). But, my kid’s presentation would likely be similar to the 4th grade boy we saw just a few minutes earlier. And it sure was (I’m laughing as I type this!). Among Avery’s strengths, like many kids with autism, is his ability to memorize. I’ve also mentioned that unlike some other kids with autism, he is very social and expressive in his language and behavior. That trait is less prevalent in kids with autism. And now it’s time to sing. Mine was the kid who held HIS notes just a little longer than the others. Mine was the kid who would look down the choir line and make sure the other kids were singing their lines…because you know HE knew their lines like he knew his own. And, there was some “minor” choreography. Well, for Avery, there’s NO SUCH THING as minor choreography. The boy loves to dance. So, naturally, mine was the kid that waved his hands and leaned back and belted loud notes in ways that were a little more dramatic than his peers Good thing they didn’t have a 2-step! He might have jumped out of the choir stand! All LaChan and I could do was laugh and celebrate our guy…our special guy…our different guy, who we believe has been beautifully and wonderfully made. After the concert, he found us and told us HE did an AWESOME job. Yup, that’s my kid.
11 Comments
12/8/2012 07:20:10 am
Watching your kids grow and begin to get involved in activities is an unbelievable experience. Interesting blog.
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12/8/2012 07:34:50 am
Nupe, interesting blog. Watching your children grow and get involved in activities is unbelievable.
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Mark Austin
12/8/2012 07:48:40 am
I am greatly encouraged how you and your lovely wife navigate what could be difficult circumstances & situations. The context, content, and texture of real "love" amazes me. It's patient and kind; it doesn't envy; it doesn't boast... It always protects, it always trusts, it always hopes; it always perserveres... Love NEVER fails. It. NEVER fails! Thank your for the testimony and the "Fatherly" demonstration of love. It trust it will an encouragement and a challenge to others likewise.
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Michael Hannon
12/8/2012 11:53:45 am
Donte- thanks for your comments. I agree that watching your kids through these experiences can be both stressful and rewarding.
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Michael Hannon
12/8/2012 11:55:43 am
Uncle Mark-
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Keith Richards
12/8/2012 12:02:46 pm
Good goin' Avery! Keep making your family proud!
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Frank K. Nelson
12/8/2012 01:06:19 pm
Brother Hannon, Big Applause to Avery and to you and LaChan!!! Awesomely inspiring as I my daughters are young adults doing their own thing; I retrospectively think of all the good memories of them growing up from children to be awesome, independent young women. Every time I read your Blog Nupe, I want to have more children!!! Blessing Good Brother Hannon!
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Michael Hannon
12/9/2012 02:30:46 am
Bro. Nelson-
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Nicole Jeter West
12/10/2012 12:35:40 am
I had a permanent smile on my face as I read your post on Avery's concert. There was one statement in particular that struck me more than the others...
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Michael Hannon
12/10/2012 01:03:45 pm
Nicole-thanks for the encouragement. You, Rodney, and the Wests have been present for this whole experience so I appreciate your willingness to share your own family's experiences.
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Renitia (Nish)
12/19/2012 09:57:30 am
Nice read. i totally got the visual. Thanks for sharing!
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AuthorI'm Mike. If you have an interest in mental health, family functioning, and disability advocacy, this blog may be of interest to you. Archives
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