Monday Milestones

When our last son, Cam, was born, we knew our family was complete. He was an easygoing little guy and slept through the night at 3 months old (such a blessing!). When Cam was around 1 year old, Cam had his well-check visit. At this visit,  our pediatrician noticed his eyes were not tracking. From that point on, our lives became filled with worry, concern, therapy sessions, and specialists appointments. Nobody could explain to us why he had these delays, just that he had them. As a mom, although professionals told me differently, I was filled with guilt that I did something wrong or that I could have prevented it.

Cam did not walk until he was around 2 years old and even at that time, he had to wear specially made orthotics and use a toddler-size walker to attempt to walk. After we moved to Macau, China S.A.R., we found incredible therapists (PT, OT, speech, and vision), specialists, and teachers in Macau and Hong Kong who supported Cam with his growth and development. Although Cam has a passion for sports, we did not think he would ever be able to participate in sports like his older brothers, especially American football and basketball. Fast forward to now, and after years of therapy and finally a diagnosis in 2019 of Okur-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome (OCNDS), he participates in sports and no one would ever know he had these physical delays.

For the past two years, he reached a milestone and has been attending middle school. One day, out of the blue, Cam came to me and told me he was going to try out for the school basketball team. In my mind I was thinking “ok, but you probably won’t make it”, but he was determined to try. Thanks to an incredible coach who recognized Cam’s ambition and desire, he was put on the team. During games, when the team was far ahead, Cam was put in the game. There were a couple of times he would start to shoot and the entire team would continue to pass the ball to him and let him shoot until he made it. Even the kids on the other team and referees noticed what they were doing and stood back. After he made a basket, all the students and parents in the bleachers erupted with cheering and clapping. These were amazing and special moments! During this past year, Cam was also chosen as “Student of the Month” from his Specific Learning Disability (SLD) teacher and received straight “O’s” for outstanding citizenship. We are so proud of him and his perseverance and diligent efforts and hope it continues into his next school year. Update: this current school year, Cam is on the basketball team again. Unlike last year, when Cam is in the court now, his coach expects him to try his hardest to play. Nobody gives him “free” shots anymore. At his first game, he made 2 shots while being guarded by the players on the other team.

As a parent, these past two school years has made all the hours of therapy, monthly ferry trips from Macau to Hong Kong and vice versa, and constant worry completely worth it. We are so grateful for a community that is inclusive and sees a child’s potential and who they truly are. In moments of despair, we as parents can be concerned and full of worry, but I know as we strongly advocate for our “rare” children, those living with disabilities, and early intervention, amazing things will happen and these unique individuals will become more than we, or others, thought they could ever become. They will give others, even middle school, pre-teen/teenage boys, opportunities to develop compassion, kindness, understanding, respect, and inclusiveness.

Each of our “rare” children’s future is so bright!!