“Bella! Bella! Babe, look me. What this word say?” Bethany’s patient, but firm teacher voice commanded Bella’s attention. Bella’s almond eyes crinkled shut as she smiled and shouted, “Mommy!”
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About two years ago, I met a lovely lady named Patricia. Previously a dance teacher, she had put everything aside to become a stay at home grandma and help raise her granddaughter, Bella (Isabella). Bella was born with downs syndrome. Someone had given her my name and she was desperate to talk to someone who had “been there.” When Patricia met Bethany, she teared up and wistfully said, “Oh, if Bella could be just like Bethany when she grows up. I still don’t know what to do with her to help her learn and at preschool they don’t do anything with her- well, that’s not true. They try to get her to sit in her seat.”
My heart reached out to this amazing grandmother who was driven to do anything to help her grandaughter learn!
“Patricia, I promise you she will! Bethany didn’t get here overnight. There’s been times of unbelievable learning spurts and then plateaus where it seemed like she wasn’t learning anything new. I just had to learn to take it one day at a time!”
We had a wonderful talk sharing our hopes, dreams, and yes, fears. I gave Patricia some educational materials and games I had used with Bethany, we hugged and parted ways. A year later, I got a phone call. It was Patricia and she was choked up with tears. “I just don’t know what I’m doing! I want to DO something for Bella. I know you’re busy, but could you please meet with us for a while? Would you consider tutoring Bella and showing me what to do?”
And that began our journey with Bella! 🙂
What a joy this has been for us to “relive” in part, our journey. It can be so daunting when you begin a task you’re unsure if you’re equipped for! But God always gives us what we need to face the challenges that come to us!
All of life is a process; one thought, one step, one word at a time. Growth is God taking us from glory to glory!
Of course, God alone gives success but THE BIGGEST KEY to our progress has been teaching READING. Reading? Yes, reading. I read a book (oh, so many books) that explained that children with downs syndrome have trouble processing information auditorily. I learned that everything I had done in home schooling with typical children was flip flopped when it came to teaching Bethany! Instead of phonics (hearing based) I would teach whole words. Instead of letters first, I would teach sight words. I learned to my amazement that READING was considered the vehicle to speech! My mind grappled with the backwardness of it all but I dutifully made my first flash cards when Bethany was 2 and began with the thought, “By golly, if it takes me a week to teach her just one word, at least she’ll know 52 words by the end of a year!”
I was shocked when at the end of the first week she could read 5 words! Not only could she pick them out when they were spread out on a tray but she would say them as I flashed them to her. I thought, “Well, maybe it’s a fluke and she just memorized the words but she’s not really reading. But after a month and 40 words under her proverbial belt, I began to realize, BETHANY CAN READ and her spoken vocabulary is exploding! (She is in 5th grade now, reading small chapter books and more importantly can read her NIV Bible!) I’m amazed at her skills but I don’t want to misrepresent; she doesn’t always grasp the meaning of nuance of everything she reads but she is growing in that area as she continues to read!!!
Watching Bella learn her words and numbers lets me revisit the past without the anxiousness I felt with Bethany. I know Bella will learn just like Bethie did! I’m confident she will grow up and interact and find her niche in life- just like Bethany is! I KNOW now what I didn’t understand then.
You just have to be faithful to build “one brick at a time”!
Bella is 4 and has over 70 words she can read, her vocabulary has exploded, she knows her colors and numbers, can write her name and we’re working on following directions! I’m not Bella’s only “teacher.” Bethany can’t wait to quiz her with flashcards and Cohen joins us in all of our songs and games! Patricia works constantly with her and she’s motivated me to keep working hard to take Beth to the next level!
Isn’t God wonderful to let us look back on our journey to see just how far He’s brought us!? I’m convinced it’s so we can rejoice in His faithfulness and be an encouragement to others who are walking where we walked! Today, thank Him as you think back to where you have been and where He has brought you!
People reaching people. Changed lives change lives. I guess that is what I have observed in Cindy’s relationship with Patricia and Bella. Bella, by the way, is a doll. The Lord is unfolding a beautiful plan for her. Cindy will do some instruction. Then its Bethany’s turn. Someone once said, we don’t know it until we can teach it. Bethany teaches it. And when Bethany teaches Bella, both of them advance. I have observed the same process with Cindy and Patricia. As Cindy explains and demonstrates what has worked with Bethany, Patricia is encouraged. After every session all four of those ladies are in a new and better place. Changed lives, change lives. Indeed!
So glad to read Bella’s progress report! I know her grandma loves for her to have a role model in Bethany.
“By golly, if it takes me a week to teach her just one word, at least she’ll know 52 words by the end of a year!”
I think your optimistic outlook and patience made a huge difference in those early days. Putting it in equine terms, a horse trainer once said if you’re trying to teach your horse a new skill with the mindset you only have fifteen minutes, it will take you all day. If you go out with the mindset that you have all day, it’ll probably only take fifteen minutes.
LOVE the “horse” example Sarah! Isn’t that so true!? It’s what makes the difference in a great home schooling day and a “pull out your hair” day. 🙂 Thanks-
Once again, I learned something new, Cindy! And, I love your Surprising Treasure connection to spiritual growth. I am so excited to see Bethie finding her niche as teacher. What precious friends Bethie and Bella must be! Patricia is being blessed to be a blessing because of your willingness to comfort with the comfort you have received. That’s how God works in and through us, for all concerned. I love it (and you)! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Cindy!
Thanks Edy. God opened my eyes to His Father heart of patience & pride in our achievements as I work with Bethany. I delight in seeing her move forward- no matter how long it takes to get there- and I believe our Father also rejoices as we move forward in Him- some people “race” ahead and others of us learn a little slower- but whatever the pace- He’s building us into His likeness! hugs
Sooooooo true! You are so quotable, my dear. Luvya all to pieces. 🙂