Karissa is our 3rd child and is 11 months younger than her sister. Needless to say she was a surprise but of the very best kind! They weren't able to tell us at the ultrasound if we were having a boy or a girl and for some reason I really needed to know. I had this dream a few nights later of a little blonde haired, hazel eyed girl running through a field of daisies. She was beautiful and had the brightest smile. She stopped right in front of me and said "Hi mommy, I'm a girl and my name is Karissa Rose but you'll call me Rissa Roo." I woke up with a start and shook my husband who mumbled something along the lines of "that's nice dear" and went back to sleep. I was through sleeping at that point so I got up and looked it up in the baby name book. I have no idea where the name came from, it wasn't on our list at all but that is what I found: Karissa (Carissa) means "Beloved, Grace" Remember that for the end of this story....
Today Karissa started the "Lose the Training Wheels" camp. Its a week long camp to help kids with disabilities to learn to ride a bike. Most people take riding a bike for granted, its just part of growing up, right? Well many special needs kids lack the coordination and motor skills to pedal and steer at the same time or simply cant manage to balance on a bike.
That may not matter to a lot of people but to these kids it could mean the world! Its a huge self confidence boost to get to be "normal" for awhile. I've often watched Karissa stare at much younger kids blazing down the streets on their bikes and I know she is wondering why she cant do that. Its conquering a fear that has been around for a very long time and as we all know, that alone makes you feel great! For many kids they may never be able to drive so riding a bike could be the only way to get back and forth to work. It could mean the difference between living independently and needing to have assistance. Its great exercise and while the obesity rate for peer kids is high it is much higher for special needs kids. On top of all of that its FUN! Its also something we can do as a family.
We went into the meeting last night nervous, excited and anxious all at once. This program has an 80% success rate. Meaning 80% of the kids leave this program after a week able to ride independently! Wow. That alone is staggering. I will admit to having my doubts. Karissa was nervous to say the least but they dont hesitate. They introduce themselves and get the kids on a bike in just a few moments. They are specialty bikes with rollers as a back wheel that get progressively more tapered as the rider advances. Karissa was stressed at first but by the end of the first session she relaxed and had a huge smile on her face! She could do it!!!
This is the child we were told might never walk or talk and she would certainly never be "normal" We were even told we might want to look into assisted living. This is also the same child who made honour roll this year!
I asked you to remember what the name Karissa means. A few months ago 3 separate, non connected friends mentioned a singer named Tyrone Wells so I was curious. I looked him up and fell in love with his music. If you haven't heard of him please go take a listen. I promise it will be worth your time! I slowly made it through most of his songs and stopped in my tracks when I found this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVxtAy2M9Lg "Grace is Dancing" So today, there is dancing in my house. Rejoicing in the Beloved gift of Grace that we have been given and celebrating the fact that fears can be overcome and "nothing is impossible if you will just believe" Thanks for that, Tyrone. Keep dancing friends.
