Sunday, November 2, 2008

Ready to run

My 7-year-old daughter and I were at an outpatient clinic for Children's Hospital the other day when a man entered the room with his two-year-old son. My daughter undergoes therapy for sensory integration disorder. This little boy was having physical therapy in the other half of the room, which was divided by a curtain.
I watched as the boy fought with his therapist and his dad, both of whom insisted he walk. He didn't want to walk. He wanted to drag himself across the floor using his arms. The dad smiled at me and said, "He broke his leg. He got the cast off two weeks ago and he won't put any weight on it."
Thanks to his twin, Jonathan will probably never meet that therapist.
That little boy was an only child, according to the father. He didn't try to walk on his cast and his parents carried him everywhere. They didn't push him. Now they wish they had. The doctor told them that would have made all the difference.
We haven't pushed Jonathan.
We don't need to.
Moments ago, Jonathan ran across the living room in his hip-to-toe cast and leaped into his bean bag chair. He was imitating his twin brother, who was lying in his own chair, laughing and watching as Jonathan flew.
Earlier today, Jonathan climbed the steps to his Little Tykes slide and slid down on his belly face-first. Again, he was imitating his twin, who was imitating their 8-year-old brother. When Jonathan reached the bottom, he pulled himself up and did it again.
Jonathan walked the neighborhood for so long yesterday that he ripped right through my sock, the one I had pulled over his cast to protect his toes from the concrete. Fortunately, it was one of those socks that had lost its mate.
No. Jonathan will not need therapy.
My guess is that on Nov. 12, when that cast is sawed from his leg, Jonathan will step down from the table. Then he will walk right out the doors of Children's Hospital eagerly searching for his identical twin brother.

3 comments:

Lexi said...

you are so fortunate to have twins that play together. laycee and logan still don't like playing with one another. I am hoping as they keep growing up, that will change, but i doubt it.

Lis said...

I have just discovered your blog. It is wonderful to read, Thank-you.
I have Identical twin boys, Alex and Oliver. (and a 3.5yr old girl)
I found you while searching "twins clingy" on google - because I am going through the nightmare it seems you went through some months ago. I guess it will pass, but it is certainly a stage that is amplified by having two! It was nice to read of some one elses experience.
I will look forward to reading your posts.
cheers,
Lis

Twinsmom said...

Lexi, More than likely, your twins will play together better as they get older. Girls develop differently than boys, especially in their style of play. So I wouldn't give up yet!
Lis, thank you for your comments. It really does get better. My boys have improved greatly in the last two months. How old are your boys?
LOri