One of the things we'd sort of come to accept about Schuyler's condition was that the effects of polymicrogyria on her fine motor skills meant that handwriting for her was always going to be difficult, if not impossible. For a long time, her writing was awkward to the point of being unreadable, which was less of a problem once she started to do well on the Big Box of Words. It was generally accepted that Schuyler will almost certainly never be able to speak and probably not be able to write, either, but with the BBBoW, that was fine. It was one more aspect of PMG that she might not be able to knock down, but with the right tools, she could just walk around it instead.
One of Schuyler's defining characteristics, however, is her stubborn refusal to give up on something. That's not going to be a surprise to anyone who's been reading about her for even just a little while. When something defeats her, you can see it in her eyes, beneath her cheerful shrug of acceptance. Outwardly, she seems to say "Okay, whatever, no big deal." Watch carefully, however, and you'll see that last lingering glance. "I'll be back to kick your ass later." And she always does.
In the past month or two, her handwriting has suddenly improved dramatically. She loves to spell, and she loves to write. (As an author, you have no idea how happy that makes me, even if she ends up writing a book one day saying how full of crap I was.) When she woke me up this morning, the first thing she did was start writing notes. The first was this one, "Love mommy and daddy". The second was a note demanding cereal for breakfast.
It's clumsy, sure, and when she runs out of space, she continues mid-word on the next line. But damn it, she's writing, and we can read it, and that's just one more thing we were told she'd probably never do.
It may not look like much to you, but to us, it's like professional calligraphy.
27 comments:
thats fantastic to see. it really is. My eldest daughter first shot at6 writing without a scribe was 'i luv my dadde'
Having discovered your blog not too long ago, appreciating your writing and your little girl...today I celebrate this with you. This is really huge. WHO KNOWS how far she will go...
This is me, participating in a massive standing ovation for Schuyler.
Awesome! That was just the bit of inspiration I needed today. Her penmanship looks great to me!
The continuing the word on the next line thing is pretty common, my nieces both do that.
That said, rock on, I bet there's some awesome tales hiding in that mind of hers.
It looks to me like your book has inspired her Rob!
She has waited patiently for you to have your time in the spotlight and is ready to take back her well deserved place in it!
Fantastic!
It looks like it says "Love *to* mommy and daddy" to me.
Go Schuyler!!
that's fabulous! Congratulations Schuyler!
My daughter has a different, smaller monster, and writing is very hard for her, too. I find myself overjoyed to be handed notes that say "get off phone now!" ;)
go Schuyler! go Schuyler!
fly over those hurdles !
I think it's beautiful! Go, Schuyler!
Doctors could learn a lot about penmanship from the this awesome kid!
I think you should have said ESPECIALLY if she writes a book saying how full of crap you were. What could make you prouder, really? "They thought I'd never be able to do handwritten notes, but, I kept thinking, what if something happens to this gadget?" Actually she's going to write a book saying I'm full of crap and I'm cool with it.
Not too long ago you said that underestimating Schuyler will bite you in the ass every time. I just loved that!
I guess she continues to prove it. Good job Schuyler.
You guys got her first love note. I'm all mushy.
The teacher in me is coming out - do any adaptive grips for writing utensils exist that would make holding a pencil easier on her?
the girl rocks the house.
Rob - I've been wondering whether you and Julie had considered any sort of music lessons for Schuyler. She's the right age to start with something like Suzuki Piano lessons. Not only might she enjoy making music, but learning some piano technique might be another way to work on fine motor coordination.
Just so you know:
Her note was very easy to read WITHOUT the translation.
(Of course, I had my Mom eyes on...)
Congratulations to all of you!
WHOOO!!!! And the running out of space and continuing on the next line thing? Is a completely "neurotypical" kid thing to do, too.
Reminds me of the story they told us when my own daughter was diagnosed with a monster of her own, albeit a tiny one compared to Schuyler's.
In Kindergarten we were told she'd never read, never write legibly, never progress past a 3rd grade education level.
In 5th grade she learned to read. When she graduated HS she'd caught up and graduated with Honors. She is about to graduate from University where she is on the Dean's list. She will teach 2nd Grade Special Ed-in hopes of reaching just as many kids with monsters of their own, and helping them reach their own potentials. She understands,
and she is a neat human being.
What her monster taught her is perseverance and the art of never giving up. Even a monster can teach you something. Her monster will never go away either, but finding a way around it regardless is her strength. She is amazing, just as Schuyler is.
Way to go Schuyler!
You kick ass girl!
Shannon in Austin
Oh, that's marvelous. And very nice that y'all come before cereal. :)
Continuing words on the next line is a beginning writer thing. At least she didn't turn the paper over to finish the word. ;)
That is just bee-oo-tiful. Can't wait for my Q to hit the same stage. ;o) Way to go, Schuyler!!
I don't care who you are, what successes you have in life, nothing is as glorious as that note and those accomplishments that a little girl who has a fire in her belly and a spark in her eyes fights for, and wins.
That note need a beautiful frame.
Congratulations, to you and your wife.
That is SO AWESOME.
I could read the note without translation.
And, I agree with the person who says that continuing words on the next line is really typical for kids her age.
Some kids who can't write yet can compose notes by stamping with rubber stamps. You can buy a set of alphabet rubber stamps at a craft store for $10 or so. In case she wants to experiment with other note-writing technologies.
As her writing develops and improves...does this have any implications for the BBOW?
Just curious.
As her writing develops and improves...does this have any implications for the BBOW?
Not really. It just gives her one more tool. Some people believe that using multiple methods of communication (sign language and AAC, for example) at the same time causes kids to lose focus and not develop fully on one or the other, but I don't believe the data supports that, and certainly not on Schuyler's case.
We don't teach her more sign language now because it was a sort of "last hope" for her at a time when we didn't see any other options. The biggest issue with sign language is that very few people actually understand it, particularly since she was learning Signed Exact English, not ASL. But her BBoW and whatever handwriting she eventually develops will be universally understood, at least in the English-speaking world.
Totally agree with the rubber stamp idea, just for fun. I think Schuyler would enjoy trying different-colored inks (she's obviously into colors!).
Oh, and Schuyler? I LOVED dinosaurs when I was a kid, too. I had a stuffed T. rex and brontosaurus, and lots of little plastic ones, too. But mine didn't have cool names like Lana.
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