"Get in the Game"

Tonight was the 4th and 5th grade music program at the elementary. I am without words to express how proud of Jackson I am. It was an event full of triumph, a testament to how far he has come.

Others may not appreciate the significance of the fact that he was able to sit patiently, listen to others perform and be quiet and still. He did this for the first 20 minutes of the show. Prior to the show starting, I was able to "drop him off" at his classroom with his teacher and his peers. I honestly never imagined I would be able to leave him and have him be THAT independent. And, God bless those kids in his class; kids he's grown up with, kids who understand and accept him, kids who look out for him and include him. They were signing each other's shirts and a couple of the kids actually asked him to sign their shirt and asked to sign his....

Let me just bask in that for a moment. Wow!

I was very proud of how he was able to follow the steps and songs, how he managed to hold it together when the crowd applauded. I was teary-eyed as they sang "I am a champion". The message was basically, in my own way I am a champion.

There just aren't words for how much this gave back to us. We were actually able to invite his grandparents to come and see him sing. Just like other kids, parents and grandparents we had a "normal" night. I sat next to my mom and really couldn't believe it. My son has come soooo far. I am just soooo very proud of his accomplishment and so very grateful to all the people who helped bring him here!