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One of the hardest things about living with Kellen this past year has been watching his world get smaller and smaller. There were days due to his anxiety level that he wasn't able to leave our house. Even worse, there were days he was so depressed that he couldn't leave his bed. Things that he formerly loved to do...he couldn't make himself do. There were many days that the only people he saw were his mom and dad.
Now he is doing so much better. We've been working on adding new things to his life: new activities, new people, and going new places. Adding new things (mixed with the old) little by little, one at a time.
He has two new people working with him from the school. One has been coming Wednesday afternoons and one has been coming on Friday afternoons. One of them is going to show him how to play video games. Two new people who are getting to know him. Two more people that he is learning to trust and build rapport with. On Saturday he spent several hours at a friend's house. A new house where he will feel comfortable going.
His grandpa gave him his old laptop computer. We hope to get him all set-up and show him some new places to go on the internet. We got him a parakeet a couple of months ago. Expanding his world. A full life. That's the goal.
3 comments:
Good for you! Anxiety is an insidious problem because it feeds itself. The best weapon, besides medication, is getting out and not giving in to it. Panic attacks can be so scary that the mind and body become avoidant of anything that it fears might set it off and, as you describe, the safe parts of your world get smaller and smaller. He's so darn cute with that parakeet!
That was beautifully shared! While many of us find security in sameness, comfort in control of a smaller world - at one time or another - novelty is often a tonic for what ails. Kellen is so blessed to have you as parents - parents willing to be creative and proactive for his benefit. And the benefit extends to you and everyone who reads this post. Thanks!
You have hit the nail right on the head--this is EXACTLY what I want for my daughter!
Thank you for this post!
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