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Surprising Me Every Day

Rochelle Followes by Rochelle Followes Additional Needs

Rochelle Followes

Rochelle Followes

I am parent to a gorgeous little blue eyed boy who has complex needs. I have a Facebook page, 'my daily miracle' where I share our life with others...

Bringing the world to my son is something I've tried to do since he was a baby, I've focused so much on it that it slowly left my mind that one day Zachariah may bring the world to himself.

Over the past few weeks, due to illness and epilepsy we've struggled with physio, and although this has been a huge concern, in the shadow of this, Zachariah has spent more time in his chair and has been developing lots of other fine skills that need to be celebrated and pushed.

His hands have been very busy getting messy, creative and holding onto various toys.

This is not something that has happened over night, there was a time when we struggled to undo his fists, but reality is he's really starting to be intrigued in the world around him and learning just how to use his hands to get what he wants.

I'm currently lay on the floor next to him as he punches my nose and wipes my cheeks with his very wet, stinky hands and I couldn't be more proud.

He's aware I'm there from the gentle conversation we're engaging in, therefore starting to try and find me with his hands.

There was a place, and I remember it well where we would have put numerous toys onto his tray, lap and beside him on the floor and he would continue to stay still without an interest at all.

Whether he noticed it or not, I'm not sure, but there would be no investigation on Zachariah's part, we would need to intervene and do hand over hand technique to stimulate him into the play and exploration.

Coming from that place feels like such a huge step, as now, as soon as I place anything near him, he opens his hands, finds it, investigates it and either plays with it or slings it on the floor!

It's incredible just how much he's developed into a curious George!

Much to my delight, Zachariah is getting better, so the physio is being reintroduced, and Zachariah is full steam ahead!

So much so he's sat up for the first time ever using arm gators, and managed to do 40 minutes in his frame.

Now I need to make sure we keep a good balance between all of his skills and not lose sight of the things he showing interest in.

My boy is flipping incredible, may he start to lead the way a little bit more with his development.

I guess what I'm trying to express here and why I'm sharing this with you is to remind you that there may be new goals being completed where you don't expect them.

I've been so tied up with  getting physio done that I had almost missed the exciting things happening in front of me.

I have reintroduced a baby play gym to help develop these skills and hope that Zachariah will continue to be curious and bring the world around him using his very own hands.

Keep on teaching me Zachariah! X

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