Last night a beautiful thing happened.
My son, who is not supposed to be good at eye contact, who struggles with anxiety in social situations, who doesn't always understand language the way most of us do--participated in a county 4-H speech competition.
I worked with him on voice patterns, we worked on appropriate gestures, we rehearsed. Then he got up in front of two judges and the competition and their supporters and gave his speech about Beethoven. I was nervous for him, but I was so proud!
When he finished, he paced the floor, more from having to wait than nerves. The judges tallied the results. The participation awards were handed out. Third place came and went. Then second. Finally, they announced the First place winner and it went to my little man! He jumped up and down on the stage as the audience chuckled at his exhuberance.
He was difficult to put to bed last night. I've never seen him smile so big. He woke up this morning eager to go to school and share the news. I told him not to go on and on about it, but I will be suprised if he talks of anything else today.
I was proud that he wanted to try the competition and proud that he got through it (Many adults would have caved at that pressure). That he won and gets to move on to the next step goes beyond expectations. I am so happy for him!
I read yesterday a statement by a parent that said her fourteen-year-old sees his Aspergers as anything but a gift. Connor felt that way for awhile. Now he sees his Aspergers not as a disability, but a different ability. He has challenges just like anyone else, but they are different challenges than "everyone else." His success last night hopefully showed him that anything is possible and you can come through any challenge with hard work, drive, and a positive attitude.
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