School Sports Day

[LIZS]

ds(9) , probably DCD/Dyspraxia, has had his annual School Sports Day . To be fair to the school it was organised so everyone had the opportunity to participate and score for their team with a round of 4 events , jumping , throwing, running in relay and hurdling then a series of flat races, each child doing 2 and their heats grouped according to previous time trials. Whilst ds enjoyed the team part he came in 7th and 8th in his races and felt pretty deflated. There were also a few bemused smiles from parents at his technique when hurdling which, while not actually a bad style or knocking any over, was not flowing or appropriate for 2' height. Most of the kids just skipped over them as if they weren't there.

So poor ds, who had been really looking forward to the day and wishing the rain to hold off, now feels flat and useless. At least last year his team won overall but he hasn't even got that compensation this time. I need to have a conversation with the school about him to follow up recent OT reports , part of which involves making sure his sports teachers are more aware. However in the meantime I feel disappointed for him and am aware that it is only going to get harder for him as he gets older and sports become more competitive.

Well how about fining something he really likes to do and maybe something he is good at, or just find a special treat and do something lovely this afternoon or tomoorow and say it's becasue he made you so proud at his sports day?

He won't ever be the best runner / jumper . thrower, ok, but later in lie you can tak to him about how proud evryone is when he gives it a go and that the fact he does it with his head held high and a smile on his face is what matters and then you can focus on his strengths etc.

If it becomes a real issue for him something like taking him / showing him disabled people in sports.

Cheers TC , that is a good idea. He will get over it , he always does, and as you say , rarely complains and always joins in, but it seems sad that even though he has improved so much this last year he is still so far adrift of his peers.... Perhaps it is all the more poignant for me as I don't get many opportunities to compare them.

Spots Day is always going to hard, I think probably for ^all& mums' whose children have special needs. I think the important thing to focus on at them is not what they can't do but what they can.

At Lottie's preschool sports day I had a lump the size of a tennis ball in my throat and it was part pain and part pride. It hurt that her techer had to carry her under the arms, he little feet barely touching the ground but it was wonderful to see her holding the hoop to her head and grinning. This year she's walking so I don't know what to expect of her at sports day and although it'll hurt to see how different she is from her peers it'll also be wonderful to see her take an active part. Like ou I'm sure thosediffrence will only get more painful but hopefully we cn all keep focusing on the positive and count our blessing. In our case those blessings being that at least she's able to do some of these things for herself now.

They may not be as agile as their peers at sports day bt they are so lucky they can run and jump and join in, in their own way. There are many that can't and for that we need to remember to be grateful.

Love TC xx

"They may not be as agile as their peers at sports day bt they are so lucky they can run and jump and join in, in their own way. There are many that can't and for that we need to remember to be grateful. "
Totally agree, it is all relative.