wa123

My neighbours bought a new trampoline and set it up in their yard on friday. Shannon seen it from our kitchen window.  So she asked to go outside. Now, shannon doesnt walk well ...we do have a deck. So, i say sure honey...you can go sit on the deck she goes outside...and i put a chair on the deck for her.  she is just a squirming and a laughing and giggling at the kids (maybe 5) jumping and playing on that trampoline. Shannon is all alone..on our deck as happy as can be. But i was not. I watched my baby from the window, with tears in my eyes.. all the kids were having so much fun....  and mine just watched.  all by herself.. no one paid her any attention at all..other then a hello shannon. I went outside and said come on in shan..its cold out here...no way did she want to come in. she kept pointing to the trampoline.  i said what do you want (like i did not know) and she signed play and pointed to trampoline.  well i told her she cant because of her poor legs, knees, hips, and back. she said okay mom....like it was a normal thing ....and continued to sit and be happy. I must have been feeling sorry for us today because i know on the third we go get her body brace moulded and i just watched the other kids jumping and i could about imagine shannon doing that once and her legs flying right out thru her shoulder blades!!!! sigh no one asked if she could go play...no one ever does. Shannon has no friends and no family that lives near.  Today i realized how lonely she really must be. thank goodness tomorrow is Monday and she will be back at school. such is life. darn neighbors! I treasure the upsndowns family that we have here...and i look very forward to our june trip to WV. Arlene

Arlene, Next time yell over to the kids that you want to invite them over to make cookies or popcorn or something. Don't wait for the kids to invite Shannon over to their house, you do the inviting. Maybe eventually they will reciprocate. Jodi picturing Shannon giggling with her neighbors in her kitchen

Shannon was HAPPY just watching!  She can see them having fun and that allowed her to have fun. In our neighborhood, I find that kids never invite each other over.  They just show up uninvited.  I'll bet those kids wouldn't have minded if Shannon came over. When you said that Shannon just watched . . . all by herself.  I'm sure Shannon didn't feel alone; it sounds like she was very much enjoying herself and it was a nice treat for her to get to watch them.  Hey, you're lucky she got a hello Shannon from the kids!  A lot of kids wouldn't have even taken the time to say hello. You're not the only one feeling sad that their child can't participate.  But don't be sad for Shannon because it sounds like you don't need to be; she had fun regardless! Connie Stives Matthew (11), Devin (almost 6!), Jacob (DS)(17 months)

My heart goes out to you... I've have watched many times with tears in my eyes as the kids in the neighborhood played outside and my son would sit on the edge of our driveway and watch.  One neighbor was particularly nasty to him (needless to say, I gave up after several years of trying to 'educate' and 'sensitize' him and his mother).  Now at the age of 14 my son sits inside in front of the TV all day.  It is heartbreaking. Caroline

Arlene, I can imagine how sad you felt watching Shannon watch but from what you say those are your feelings not Shannon's - sounds like she got a lot of pleasure just being able to watch.  When we moved here there were several kids Max's age but none of the other mums ever seemed to invite them in so they were always over here.  You may find that all you have to do is ask! Sue

In a message dated 5/1/00 7:43:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it writes: <<  It's like dodge-ball.  One person is on the  trampoline, and the others try to hit him with a big ball.  He has to  jump out of the way. If the ball hits him, he's out and someone else  gets on.   Now Shannon could sit in a chair and be the one who does the  throwing at the person's legs.  Someone on the other side (on the  ground) picks up the ball and throws it back again.  I think if you  brought a big plastic ball and some treats (any leftover candy from  Easter?), and a chair for Shannon, the kids would like this game. WONDERFUL idea Barbara!!!!  Arlene, this sounds great!!!  I think you just HAVE to try this with Shan and let us all know how it goes!!!!  I know this whole thing is so painful for you to watch, but it sounds like your gem of a daughter handles herself like a true trouper!!!  Giant {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}!!  Maddie doesn't have the same issues as Shannon, but I know the pain well (Maddie has autism also).  Good luck at your doc appointment!!!!! DOnna