James had his first play date today. Our next-door neighbors were looking for someone to watch their young son for a few hours because they had to work. Stacy also invited over one of her friends and her young boy. Both boys were “normal”. Is that the right word to use? They were not disabled like James. They were fully mobile.
Although I was unable to attend this play date because I had to work, Stacy showed me some pictures. It’s hard to explain, but looking at the pictures made me both happy and sad at the same time. I was happy that James was able to have a couple of “friends” over. I was sad that he wasn’t able to ‘play’ with them. I think this is always going to be a struggle for me. Maybe someday I will be able to come to terms with the fact that James will not be able to do many of the things that normal boys do. Today is not that day.
It’s just hard. We don’t know what or how much James comprehends. Does he feel left out? Does he wonder why he can’t do what the other boys do? Part of me hopes that he doesn’t comprehend the things going on around him so that he doesn’t get sad that he can’t do those things. But then part of me wonders that if he does see things going on around him if will it help him overcome some of his disabilities. For example, he doesn’t really use his hands or arms. Maybe by seeing others use theirs it will somehow “click” in James’ brain that these is how his hands and arms work. Does that sound weird? Here are a couple of pictures from James’ play date. I am only including pictures that don’t include the faces of the “normal boys” for privacy reasons. Of course, I will include pics with James’ face because he’s my kid and this is his story.
