Sean to Dad: "Come on, Dad - let's walk!"

It may look dry in the background, but several late afternoon rains have helped make the pastures greener than these photos show. Sean has developed an interesting routine: he has begun bothering Mick in the evenings to go out for a walk! Throughout Sean's life he has been in many ways a typical deafblind individual: he will wait to be cued before doing something. He typically sitd on the floor playing with some little object, his fingers and hands always busy but he will be sitting on the floor where he likes to sit.

But recently, Sean has started initiating going for evening walks with Mick. This is strictly a Sean and Dad thing. Perhaps because Mick was the one who used to prompt Sean to go walking in the first place. Whatever the reason, it is BIG BIG BIG that Sean has actually started to INITIATE an activity as big as going outdoors and walking around Horseshoe Drive which is just about a mile around!

The summer days have been so very hot that the only activity worth participating in is called a siesta! Sean gets home around 3 pm on weekdays from his swimming expotition with his caregiver, and he gets a snack and then wants to hang out on his bed, sitting up and simply enjoying the sunshine that comes streaming into his room.

But later on when Mick gets home, and usually after dinner, Sean may get up and go around the house until he finds his Dad. Sean's residual vision is such that sometimes Mick can be sitting at the computer just a few feet from Sean, but Sean won't see him. Sean will wander around the house and if he's not interested in me, then it's pretty clear he wants his dad. If Mick stands up, Sean sees him right away because Mick no longer blends into the background of the computer and desk and books and all that. If Sean takes Mick's hand and pushes him toward the door, Sean's message is pretty darn clear, don't you think? So Mick gets his boots on, he helps Sean put his shoes on, and the two of them go out for one or two rounds around Horseshoe, depending on how late it is and how much light remains.

We are incredibly lucky to live out here. The air is wonderful, the people in our neighborhood are very caring and helpful, and the animals who own us give us a tremendous amount of joy in return for the millions of dollars we seem to spend on the horse feed, dog and cat food, and vet care!! No, really, it's true!!!

Anyway, Sean is branching out by initiating exercise and activity with his dad. Another unexpected benefit from our country lifestyle. How cool is that??!!
Nancy