YAY, MEAGHAN!!!! Had to share with you guys! :)

[Guest guest]

No one but you guys would understand this--especially if your child is very low functioning. Meaghan is 22--the oldest of my three with DS. She is also the lowest functioning girl of the three. VERY sweet, funny, affectionate, helpful, and friendly, but her self help skills are nowhere near where I'd like them to be.

I have been working on shower skills with her for YEARS, more intensely now since she graduated school and is home all day. But I still could not get her to put all the "steps" together--get towel and washcloth before you go into the bathroom, take clothes off, put liquid soap on washcloth, turn water on, close shower curtain....you get the idea.

Well, today she took a HUGE leap forward! She got her towel and washcloth without a reminder, and put soap on the washcloth (for the first time ever). Then we rehearsed the motion of QUICKLY turning on the faucet when she got in the shower (to get the warm water flowing so she is not freezing). Before today, she would tap the faucet lightly, the cold water would run out, and she would refuse to move after that because to adjust the water would mean going under the cold water to do it, and she was not about to do that! Or she would not touch the faucet AT ALL. I tried last week, to see what she would do if I just left her to figure it out. She stood in the shower naked for THREE HOURS before I finally gave in and turned on the water. Oh--she also NEVER asks for help when she needs it. We've been working on that for years, too! *sigh*

ANYWAY, today we rehearsed the quick, upward motion several times before she went into the bathroom. She got such a kick out of me yanking her arm up and yelling PUSH! We all acted very excited, of course. But then--it HAPPENED! She got in the shower and PUSHED--and lifted the handle completely--for the very first time ever!!!! YAY!!!!!

Then, to top it all off, when she was done washing her hair, instead of standing there forever until I come in and TELL her to turn off the water and get out--she DID IT!!! On her own!!! She rinsed off the shampoo, turned off the water, got out, and put her towel on!

I was so shocked I hardly knew how to react! Sounds insane probably, but I was just BURSTING inside and had to share our proud moment! Marilyn

Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make meals for under $10.

[Guest guest]

you teared me up. Hooray. Persistence is King and you should be so proud of yourself and Meaghan. Thank you for sharing your experiences so i will be equipped for the future.

Sara Holly

Subject: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] YAY, MEAGHAN!!!! Had to share with you guys! :)To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 8:21 AM

No one but you guys would understand this--especially if your child is very low functioning. Meaghan is 22--the oldest of my three with DS. She is also the lowest functioning girl of the three. VERY sweet, funny, affectionate, helpful, and friendly, but her self help skills are nowhere near where I'd like them to be.

I have been working on shower skills with her for YEARS, more intensely now since she graduated school and is home all day. But I still could not get her to put all the "steps" together--get towel and washcloth before you go into the bathroom, take clothes off, put liquid soap on washcloth, turn water on, close shower curtain....you get the idea.

Well, today she took a HUGE leap forward! She got her towel and washcloth without a reminder, and put soap on the washcloth (for the first time ever). Then we rehearsed the motion of QUICKLY turning on the faucet when she got in the shower (to get the warm water flowing so she is not freezing). Before today, she would tap the faucet lightly, the cold water would run out, and she would refuse to move after that because to adjust the water would mean going under the cold water to do it, and she was not about to do that! Or she would not touch the faucet AT ALL. I tried last week, to see what she would do if I just left her to figure it out. She stood in the shower naked for THREE HOURS before I finally gave in and turned on the water. Oh--she also NEVER asks for help when she needs it. We've been working on that for years, too! *sigh*

ANYWAY, today we rehearsed the quick, upward motion several times before she went into the bathroom. She got such a kick out of me yanking her arm up and yelling PUSH! We all acted very excited, of course. But then--it HAPPENED! She got in the shower and PUSHED--and lifted the handle completely-- for the very first time ever!!!! YAY!!!!!

Then, to top it all off, when she was done washing her hair, instead of standing there forever until I come in and TELL her to turn off the water and get out--she DID IT!!! On her own!!! She rinsed off the shampoo, turned off the water, got out, and put her towel on!

I was so shocked I hardly knew how to react! Sounds insane probably, but I was just BURSTING inside and had to share our proud moment! Marilyn

Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make meals for under $10.

[Guest guest]

Way to go Meaghan!!!! Great Job!!!

Hugs,

Lorene (mom to y, age 4 with DS)

-- [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] YAY, MEAGHAN!!!! Had to share with you guys!

No one but you guys would understand this--especially if your child is very low functioning. Meaghan is 22--the oldest of my three with DS. She is also the lowest functioning girl of the three. VERY sweet, funny, affectionate, helpful, and friendly, but her self help skills are nowhere near where I'd like them to be.

I have been working on shower skills with her for YEARS, more intensely now since she graduated school and is home all day. But I still could not get her to put all the "steps" together--get towel and washcloth before you go into the bathroom, take clothes off, put liquid soap on washcloth, turn water on, close shower curtain....you get the idea.

Well, today she took a HUGE leap forward! She got her towel and washcloth without a reminder, and put soap on the washcloth (for the first time ever). Then we rehearsed the motion of QUICKLY turning on the faucet when she got in the shower (to get the warm water flowing so she is not freezing). Before today, she would tap the faucet lightly, the cold water would run out, and she would refuse to move after that because to adjust the water would mean going under the cold water to do it, and she was not about to do that! Or she would not touch the faucet AT ALL. I tried last week, to see what she would do if I just left her to figure it out. She stood in the shower naked for THREE HOURS before I finally gave in and turned on the water. Oh--she also NEVER asks for help when she needs it. We've been working on that for years, too! *sigh*

ANYWAY, today we rehearsed the quick, upward motion several times before she went into the bathroom. She got such a kick out of me yanking her arm up and yelling PUSH! We all acted very excited, of course. But then--it HAPPENED! She got in the shower and PUSHED--and lifted the handle completely--for the very first time ever!!!! YAY!!!!!

Then, to top it all off, when she was done washing her hair, instead of standing there forever until I come in and TELL her to turn off the water and get out--she DID IT!!! On her own!!! She rinsed off the shampoo, turned off the water, got out, and put her towel on!

I was so shocked I hardly knew how to react! Sounds insane probably, but I was just BURSTING inside and had to share our proud moment! Marilyn

Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make meals for under $10.

[Guest guest]

You’re awesome, Meaghan!! I’m proud of you! By the way, tell your mom she’s not insane.

No one but you guys would understand this--especially if your child is very low functioning. Meaghan is 22--the oldest of my three with DS. She is also the lowest functioning girl of the three. VERY sweet, funny, affectionate, helpful, and friendly, but her self help skills are nowhere near where I'd like them to be.

I have been working on shower skills with her for YEARS, more intensely now since she graduated school and is home all day. But I still could not get her to put all the " steps " together--get towel and washcloth before you go into the bathroom, take clothes off, put liquid soap on washcloth, turn water on, close shower curtain....you get the idea.

Well, today she took a HUGE leap forward! She got her towel and washcloth without a reminder, and put soap on the washcloth (for the first time ever). Then we rehearsed the motion of QUICKLY turning on the faucet when she got in the shower (to get the warm water flowing so she is not freezing). Before today, she would tap the faucet lightly, the cold water would run out, and she would refuse to move after that because to adjust the water would mean going under the cold water to do it, and she was not about to do that! Or she would not touch the faucet AT ALL. I tried last week, to see what she would do if I just left her to figure it out. She stood in the shower naked for THREE HOURS before I finally gave in and turned on the water. Oh--she also NEVER asks for help when she needs it. We've been working on that for years, too! *sigh*

ANYWAY, today we rehearsed the quick, upward motion several times before she went into the bathroom. She got such a kick out of me yanking her arm up and yelling PUSH! We all acted very excited, of course. But then--it HAPPENED! She got in the shower and PUSHED--and lifted the handle completely--for the very first time ever!!!! YAY!!!!!

Then, to top it all off, when she was done washing her hair, instead of standing there forever until I come in and TELL her to turn off the water and get out--she DID IT!!! On her own!!! She rinsed off the shampoo, turned off the water, got out, and put her towel on!

I was so shocked I hardly knew how to react! Sounds insane probably, but I was just BURSTING inside and had to share our proud moment! Marilyn

[Guest guest]

that is so exciting!! I share your joy! I can't wait until my young man no longer needs help with showerint!! Be very proud mom, you both have done a great job!! WTG!!!

Kelli Mom to Austin 13 DS

Kelli

To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange From: cmreck@...Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:42:18 -0400Subject: Re: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] YAY, MEAGHAN!!!! Had to share with you guys!

You’re awesome, Meaghan!! I’m proud of you! By the way, tell your mom she’s not insane. :)On 3/20/09 11:21 AM, "sahmomof9aol" <sahmomof9aol> wrote:

No one but you guys would understand this--especially if your child is very low functioning. Meaghan is 22--the oldest of my three with DS. She is also the lowest functioning girl of the three. VERY sweet, funny, affectionate, helpful, and friendly, but her self help skills are nowhere near where I'd like them to be. I have been working on shower skills with her for YEARS, more intensely now since she graduated school and is home all day. But I still could not get her to put all the "steps" together--get towel and washcloth before you go into the bathroom, take clothes off, put liquid soap on washcloth, turn water on, close shower curtain....you get the idea. Well, today she took a HUGE leap forward! She got her towel and washcloth without a reminder, and put soap on the washcloth (for the first time ever). Then we rehearsed the motion of QUICKLY turning on the faucet when she got in the shower (to get the warm water flowing so she is not freezing). Before today, she would tap the faucet lightly, the cold water would run out, and she would refuse to move after that because to adjust the water would mean going under the cold water to do it, and she was not about to do that! Or she would not touch the faucet AT ALL. I tried last week, to see what she would do if I just left her to figure it out. She stood in the shower naked for THREE HOURS before I finally gave in and turned on the water. Oh--she also NEVER asks for help when she needs it. We've been working on that for years, too! *sigh* ANYWAY, today we rehearsed the quick, upward motion several times before she went into the bathroom. She got such a kick out of me yanking her arm up and yelling PUSH! We all acted very excited, of course. But then--it HAPPENED! She got in the shower and PUSHED--and lifted the handle completely--for the very first time ever!!!! YAY!!!!! Then, to top it all off, when she was done washing her hair, instead of standing there forever until I come in and TELL her to turn off the water and get out--she DID IT!!! On her own!!! She rinsed off the shampoo, turned off the water, got out, and put her towel on! I was so shocked I hardly knew how to react! Sounds insane probably, but I was just BURSTING inside and had to share our proud moment! Marilyn

Windows Live™ SkyDrive: Get 25 GB of free online storage. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Thanks SO MUCH, guys!!! Feels so good to share with moms who "get it"! Marilyn Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make meals for under $10.

[Guest guest]

CONGRATULATIONS MEAGHAN!!!The victories that take the longest, are also the sweetest. :-)Carol in ILMom to , 8 DS My problem is not how I look. It's how you see me.Join our Down Syndrome information group - http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ DownSyndromeInfo Exchange/ http://downsyndromeinfoexchange.blogspot.com/Listen to oldest dd's music http://www.myspace.com/vennamusic

[Guest guest]

Way to go Meaghan! I just love new accomplishments!Rubythat is so exciting!! I share your joy! I can't wait until my young man no longer needs help with showerint!! Be very proud mom, you both have done a great job!! WTG!!!Kelli Mom to Austin 13 DSKelli To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange From: cmreckcomcast (DOT) netDate: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:42:18 -0400Subject: Re: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] YAY, MEAGHAN!!!! Had to share with you guys! :)You’re awesome, Meaghan!! I’m proud of you! By the way, tell your mom she’s not insane. :)On 3/20/09 11:21 AM, "sahmomof9aol" <sahmomof9aol> wrote: No one but you guys would understand this--especially if your child is very low functioning. Meaghan is 22--the oldest of my three with DS. She is also the lowest functioning girl of the three. VERY sweet, funny, affectionate, helpful, and friendly, but her self help skills are nowhere near where I'd like them to be. I have been working on shower skills with her for YEARS, more intensely now since she graduated school and is home all day. But I still could not get her to put all the "steps" together--get towel and washcloth before you go into the bathroom, take clothes off, put liquid soap on washcloth, turn water on, close shower curtain....you get the idea. Well, today she took a HUGE leap forward! She got her towel and washcloth without a reminder, and put soap on the washcloth (for the first time ever). Then we rehearsed the motion of QUICKLY turning on the faucet when she got in the shower (to get the warm water flowing so she is not freezing). Before today, she would tap the faucet lightly, the cold water would run out, and she would refuse to move after that because to adjust the water would mean going under the cold water to do it, and she was not about to do that! Or she would not touch the faucet AT ALL. I tried last week, to see what she would do if I just left her to figure it out. She stood in the shower naked for THREE HOURS before I finally gave in and turned on the water. Oh--she also NEVER asks for help when she needs it. We've been working on that for years, too! *sigh* ANYWAY, today we rehearsed the quick, upward motion several times before she went into the bathroom. She got such a kick out of me yanking her arm up and yelling PUSH! We all acted very excited, of course. But then--it HAPPENED! She got in the shower and PUSHED--and lifted the handle completely--for the very first time ever!!!! YAY!!!!! Then, to top it all off, when she was done washing her hair, instead of standing there forever until I come in and TELL her to turn off the water and get out--she DID IT!!! On her own!!! She rinsed off the shampoo, turned off the water, got out, and put her towel on! I was so shocked I hardly knew how to react! Sounds insane probably, but I was just BURSTING inside and had to share our proud moment! Marilyn Windows Live™ SkyDrive: Get 25 GB of free online storage. Check it out.=