This page contains affiliate links and Faith's Mom may earn a commission if you use them. As an Amazon Associate, Faith's Mom earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more. The very first time Faith ever tried aquatic therapy was 2011 when she was 8 years old. When she got into the pool, she cried during the whole session. But in the following weeks, she came to love getting into the warm water. She most likely realized how good it felt to get into the therapy pool, where her tone decreased and she could feel more relaxed. It became the perfect place to do her arm and leg stretches. Faith enjoying aquatic therapy when she was younger. Aquatic therapy also gave her a chance to get some good exercise and just have fun. It even helped her get used to swimming pools in general. When she traveled, she loved getting into the little kiddie pool. She also liked to go swimming during the summer. Unfortunately, the aquatic therapy pool eventually closed so she was no longer...
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Faith's Spring Dance Performances
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Lately, I've been feeling very fortune to live in a community that provides so many activities for those with special needs and disabilities. Last year on her 21st birthday, Faith began taking adaptive dance classes at Northern Plains Dance (NPD). They offer five sessions throughout the year. We opted out of the session offered in January and February, mainly just to avoid being out in the brutal weather winter more than we have to be.
Faith working on some dance skills with ribbons.
During the February/March sessions, her class began practicing for their "big performance," which would take place during the student showcase. All of the dancers at NPD participated in this showcase. Her class would be performing to "Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake.
Faith was excited not only because of the song, but because both of her dance partners would be on stage dancing with her. During the sessions, her partners take turns with her from week to week, so she doesn't really get to work with both of them at the same time.
Faith's dance partners helping her learn the dance routine.
Their performance was held at the Belle Mehus, which I thought was really cool considering we had gone to that building so many times for the annual Nutcracker performance, along with the spring performances. Faith has watched her friends on stage for so many years, and now she was going to get a turn to be up there!
Getting ready to go to the Belle Mehus!
She was very excited about it, but I was a bit nervous. I just wasn't sure when she needed to be backstage and where I would be when she was onstage. I just followed a parent that had done this before! Thankfully, it all worked out just fine, and she had a great time! She even had some support in the audience. Her grandparents, an aunt, a few ladies from church, and another friend had all come to watch.
Her grandparents and aunt in Canada were even able to purchase a ticket to watch the live stream of the event. Her dad also watched that way. I love that they had the option to watch from afar! (I did not record the performance, but NPD will be posting a recording of it. Once it's up, I will try to add a link to this blog post.)
Faith onstage!
All of the participants and their dance partners.
Shortly after her performance was over, she began practicing for her upcoming wheelchair dance performance. This performance was part of Dreams In Motion, a local organization the provides adaptive sporting events for those with mobility impairments or visual impairments. Every year, the Just for Kix dance studio invites the wheelchair chancers to perform during their spring show.
Faith was beyond excited for this. When we got to the first practice, we discovered the theme for the spring show was "Here Comes the Sun" as a way to celebrate the upcoming summer season. To tie in with that theme, Coach Lacey decided to focus on Independence Day with a patriotic medley. Some of the songs included:
You're A Grand Old Flag
Yankee Doodle
R.O.C.K. in the USA
Born in the USA
God Bless America
As they went through the routine, I thought it was pretty ambitious. But it came together nicely after just 3 practices! Faith even had a little bit of a solo part during the "Yankee Doodle" segment where she got to "ride" her pretend horsey.
Last year, Faith ended up getting sick after the first practice. She was sick for about two weeks with the flu and then RSV, so she could not participate. This year, she ended up getting sick the Sunday before the last practice. She spent all night with an upset tummy and throwing up. She ended up staying home from HIT and her therapies on Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday evening, she convinced me she was feeling better, and we made it to the last practice! Phew!
Faith was all smiles during wheelchair dance practice!
On the morning of the performance, we needed to be there at 9:30 a.m., which is pretty early for us! Normally I don't plan to get Faith anywhere before 10! Besides being there so early, another challenge is navigating a very crowded parking lot and getting Faith inside all by myself.
Also, they were going to be performing during the 10:30 and 12:30 shows, which means they would get a break in between, and I really wanted to bring Faith home during that break just to get her out of her chair for a bit. Thankfully, my sister was able to help us and all of that went very smoothly.
Faith is all ready to perform!
Still smiling!
Coach Lacey and her pusher Kay.
The Dreams in Motion Wheelchair Dancers
I recorded the first performance and the little blip at the end is because I was trying to get a flag that someone was bringing to me. Plus, I was trying to keep it together and not cry. It was very emotional, especially when the group got a loud standing ovation!
I was so happy that Faith got to be a part of it this year. The performance happened this past Saturday, and she is still talking about how great it was!
Faith already can't wait for next year's adaptive dance performance and wheelchair dance performances. Besides the actual dancing, these are just more opportunities for her to hang out with other people, make new friends, and be active in the community!
Guest Post by Stephen Gallup Last week, a columnist for the local newspaper interviewed me in connection with a memoir I wrote that’s being published this year. It was a comfortable, low-key discussion in which he asked about the basic facts regarding my disabled son Joseph and what I’ve learned that might be of value to other families. It was the sort of dialog that required no special preparation in advance. I just sat down with him and talked about the subject closest to my heart. But looking back on it now, one thing bothers me. In concluding the interview, the reporter expressed heartfelt sympathy for everything I’ve endured. He was being more than polite. I mean, he laid the compassion on with a spatula. Startled, and already thinking ahead to what I had to do next that day, I just thanked him and said goodbye. But now that final note troubles me. I don’t want sympathy! First of all, from the point of view of a new author hoping to promote his book, sympathy...
This page contains affiliate links and Faith's Mom may earn a commission if you use them. As an Amazon Associate, Faith's Mom earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more. The very first time Faith ever tried aquatic therapy was 2011 when she was 8 years old. When she got into the pool, she cried during the whole session. But in the following weeks, she came to love getting into the warm water. She most likely realized how good it felt to get into the therapy pool, where her tone decreased and she could feel more relaxed. It became the perfect place to do her arm and leg stretches. Faith enjoying aquatic therapy when she was younger. Aquatic therapy also gave her a chance to get some good exercise and just have fun. It even helped her get used to swimming pools in general. When she traveled, she loved getting into the little kiddie pool. She also liked to go swimming during the summer. Unfortunately, the aquatic therapy pool eventually closed so she was no longer...
This page contains affiliate links and Faith's Mom may earn a commission if you use them. As an Amazon Associate, Faith's Mom earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more. Last year, when I heard the news that Pat Sajak was retiring from Wheel of Fortune , I knew I better prepare Faith. When season 41 began, I told her, "This is Pat's last season. Next year, there will be a new host." Faith likes Vanna but loves Pat! Faith and I have faithfully watched Wheel of Fortune every night since she was about 5 years old. It's how she learned that AEIOU were vowels. The show was also a great way to reinforce the rest of the alphabet. Counting was reinforced, too. When Vanna turned the letters, she counted how many T's, N's, or other letters there were. She also learned some geography skills with the different trips they gave away. Upon winning a trip to Aruba, she would ask, "Where's that?" Sometimes I honestly didn't know and had to loo...
Did you know there are 1 million people in the United States who have cerebral palsy? I guess that means Faith truly is one in a million! Faith was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was six months old. Prior to that, she had been given the diagnosis of Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL). During her premature birth, there was a lack of oxygen to her brain, which resulted in damage to the white matter, or inner part of her brain. I will never forget receiving that news. Faith's Dad and I were told that nobody knew what the long-term effects of PVL would look like for her. All I could do was stare at my tiny daughter lying in her isolette, hooked up to all kinds of tubes and lines, and choose to believe she would be okay. Faith in the NICU a few days after she was born. After over 70 days in the NICU, we finally took her home to Watford City. There, she would receive regular visits from an Early Intervention team who would assess her and ensure that she met al...
Another wonderful accomplishment! Beautiful!
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