'Disability'

I'm struggling with labels.


I've been fighting for support for Eva.  Part of that fight tends to include getting and eliminating labels.  First it was autism.  That was eliminated.  I was told that her symptoms were the 'opposite of autism' in many ways.  As if autism isn't confusing, what is the opposite of it?!  Most recently, the label of 'sensory processing disorder' has been briefly mentioned.  I've been okay with it.  Labels can be devastating for many children but at this point, I haven't felt that Eva has understand the negative of labels and has only benefited from their good.... she has received ongoing PT and OT therapy because of the evaluation scores that bring the conclusion that these labels fit.


But yesterday, Rene said 'disability'.  I felt like the air was knocked out of me.  'We don't know what kind of DISABILITY she (Eva) may have,' was what he was saying.  As he spoke of supporting families with children with disabilities in our church, that word rang through my head.  DIS-ABILITY.  It tasted ugly as I repeated it. 

Easy or difficult child?

I'm a big believer in early potty training.  At age 1 I get the little potty out and let my kids start playing on and around it.  Soon I begin sitting them on it every time I change their diaper.  It takes a long time to see results but at Mia's 2nd birthday party, she was completely potty trained.

Eva never liked the potty.  She hated it.  She hated diaper changes anyway so adding the dimension of sitting on a toilet which, with her rocking, made her feel like she was sitting on the side of the cliff... this was a battle.  At 2 years of age, she would sit willingly (most of the time) but showed zero success.  Now, if you sit a kid on the toilet enough, they accidentally 'go' once in a while which leads to celebrations and more success.  Not Eva.  I'm not sure if she was that good at holding it or what but she didn't have any 'accidents' in the toilet ever.  So I continued sitting her and letting her run around in underwear with no diaper, cleaning up lots of wet spots on the floor.  Then one day she 'went' 3 times!  The next day was 4.  She has very few accidents, doesn't wear diapers ever... even to bed!  She hasn't had a bedtime accident since I took the diapers off! 

I mentioned the other day... Eva is the most difficult EASY potty trained child out there!  One solid year with zero success and then potty trained in about two days!