"But It's So Hard, Mommy"
For almost all eight years I’ve written this blog, I’ve focused on Jordan’s health. Everything I do is focused on making sure she is strong mentally and physically. That’s why we’ve made a glorious return to occupational therapy to prevent periodic shoulder pain. Our recent appointments have shown Jordan’s left shoulder blade is weak and it could be to blame for some of her recent clavicle pain. Her shoulder also has some slight separation as well.
Jordan has ALWAYS been a piece of work during occupational and physical therapy appointments. Always. She acts goofy, she half listens, she challenges the therapist to the core. It’s a big reason why I worked with the same OT for most of Jordan’s life. She figured out how to deal with Jordan most of the time. Our new therapist is dealing with all of those personality challenges without the history. We’re trying really hard to make the most out of the hour we see her each week.
During this week’s appointment, Jordan was introduced to four new yoga exercises. Initially she was really excited because I often talk about how yoga is a great exercise. Now that the helper arm is back in play, we were able to work on some exercises that were really challenging. They hurt. The exercises required attention, focus and using muscles in ways that hurt Jordan. Not end-of-the-world hurt, but enough that it wasn’t fun. Not. One. Bit.
Trying to get Jordan to participate and learn the positions enough times for her and I to understand what was expected was a bit taxing. Jordan wanted to play and working hard during therapy isn’t fun.
But we did it. We survived another appointment.
As we drove away, I asked Jordan if she understood why we go to occupational therapy. She said she didn’t know, even though we talked about it a few weeks ago. So I told her about limb different teenagers and adults I’ve met who have chronic pain. Others I know who deal with pain if they don’t exercise often enough. I explained to Jordan that my goal as her mom is to help her learn ways to stay strong and do whatever we can to prevent her from hurting a lot. A little bit of work can stop a lot of hurt when she’s older.
“But it’s so hard, Mommy.”
Oh, my heart. I know, Baby. I reminded Jordan how a year ago, she couldn’t even run a couple of blocks with me. But we’ve worked and worked and she ran a whole mile without stopping with me last week. It took effort and hard work, but it got easier. I promised her that it will get easier.
That’s when she asked me what I did when I had to do yoga when I was little. And I had to explain that I didn’t have to do exercises like that when I was little. I have a different body… And I don’t know what it’s like to know that I have to work hard just to make sure I’m not in pain when I get older. But I promised her, and I mean this: I will be her cheerleader and helper every step of the way. This hard work will be worth it. It will.
Jordan and Jen,
I know what it is like to have to work hard and endure discomfort then to prevent future issues. I was born with a lazy eye. I wore glasses to keep from walking around cross eyed from the time I was eighteen months old until I was thirteen. I did eye hand coordination exercises to strengthen the weak eye muscles. I wore an eye patch over the stronger eye for hours each day to force the weaker eye muscles to work better and become stronger. When I lost my arm and had to go through rehab I was older and understood that I had to push hard to get good results later but I often had that frustration of is all this discomfort now going to be worth it in the end. Trust your Mom sweet girl IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT IN THE END!!!!!!
HI! I have been following this blog bc my daughter was born just like Jordan! I do alot of yoga and TRX and have just been thinking of how I can incorporate these exercises to help strengthen my daughters shoulders! She is 6 right now, and like you, I want to prevent assymmetry and pain and weakness when she is older. Do you mind letting me know which exercises you did?
Hi Bonnie! I will work on a post explaining the positions we’re working on. We’re working with a collection of yoga cards called Yoga Pretzel. It’s really cool.
Jen….
Oh, MY heart. I am not a mother. And I’ve never dealt with children who have limb differences. Ever. But I do live with learning disabilities. And my Mom hurts alongside me when my struggles {Not nearly as extreme as Jordan’s!!} hurt mentally and emotionally. I get it. You have a true Mother’s Heart. 😉
–Hugs!!–
–Raelyn
Jonah (my now 6.5 year old) was born with bilateral club foot. It was corrected with casting, and maintained through wearing of a brace — first 23 hours a day, and eventually nights only. He “graduated” at age 5. He asked me about when “you and Daddy were little and had to wear night night shoes” many times. He (mostly) get it, but still sometimes asks about it!
Jen, Jordan, and family….
Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!! 😉
–Raelyn
Happy Thanksgiving, Raelyn!
Thank you for being such an excellent stewart of Jordan’s future. As someone who is disabled due to extreme chronic pain, I can say that if there had been a way to avoid it, it would have been worth anything.
I hope you guys have a fabulous Thanksgivging! And Jordan’s surprise should show up Friday or Saturday. 😀
Thank you SO much Cassie! She’s going to be super excited.