On the drive over Amaya said, "I love the PossAbilities dinner. Because I love being with people who've helped me." And that pretty much sums up why I love PossAbilities. Because they've helped Amaya and our family in many ways. Amaya has been a member for almost two years now. She's attended swimming lessons, swim parties, art classes, used the discount at the hospital cafeteria (many times), made friends, participated in her first triathlon, enjoyed the children's Christmas party, and we all enjoy reading the quarterly newsletter. As a parent its encouraging and helpful to be around such kind people who work so hard to offer resources to Amaya and many others. It was sweet to hear Amaya recognize the help she's received these past few years. She's grateful and recognizes the efforts of people around her. That makes me a proud mama.
One of the highlights of the evening for me was when a speaker talked about the difference between a disabled person and a AB person. An AB is an Able Bodied person. He awarded Cotie Williams, the program coordinator at PossAbilities, an award for all her help and for being a person who "gets it." He called her a rare treasure for truly understanding the difference between a disabled person and an AB person. When you meet someone who sees you (or your child) and treats you as a disabled person you know. It isn't fun. But when you meet someone who sees you as an able bodied person, well that truly is a treasure. We are so fortunate to have so many treasures in our lives. Amaya is very much an Able Body! And I'm grateful to all who see that in her.
On the drive home we talked about the event and our favorite parts. Amaya said she was so happy she got to go. Amaya said she liked hearing people get awards and the Hall of Heroes award. At therapy the Hall of Heroes pictures line the wall. We glanced at them each time we went in for therapy. They are such an inspiration to us. It was neat to see so many people get scholarships and grants. We enjoyed the slide show highlighting the years events as well as the new commercial for PossAbilities. It was nice having both sets of grandparents join us for the dinner. It was nice to share the event with them and to celebrate their love for the girls.
It was Cotie's birthday that day so we all sang her happy birthday. At the end of the event Amaya wanted to go up and say hello to her and wish her a happy birthday. It was great to see her and another chance to thank her for her efforts and kindness. Her and Pedro do so much to help so many.
As we drove home we had an interesting conversation. We had been talking about the upcoming children's Christmas party. We reminded Lidie that only members of PossAbiities will receive a present, but that Amaya would be getting her a gift. Lidie got upset and said she wished she had a disability and was "just like Amaya" so that she too could be a part of PossAbilities. Lidie got even more upset when Amaya told her "I'm glad you didn't." With a loud "hey!" Lidie let her feelings known. She added, "Amaya wishes I wasn't like her." Amaya tried to explain that she wouldn't want Lidie to have to go through the surgeries and therapy that she has. She doesn't want Lidie to have to deal with the pain and trials. But Lidie, being only five doesn't understand. Trying to explain to her why Amaya would want to spare her the surgeries was tricky. Because there is nothing wrong with being "just like Amaya" or having a disability. I'm proud of Amaya. I love Amaya. I love her short leg. I love her PFFD (in a bittersweet way that I can not explain). But, wanting to be like Amaya just to belong to PossAbilities or to get a gift isn't a good reason. But, somethings are hard for anyone to reason and understand, especially a five year old.
Below are some pictures from the night. If you'd like more information on PossAbiliites you can visit their website http://www.teampossabilities.org
Thanks again for reading along.
The girls anxious to enter.
Here's my dad and I enjoying the evening.
Here's Josh and his dad, Jerry.
Here are my parents, Bobby and Lucy.
The girls enjoying time with Grammy.
The girls wanted to pose for a picture with the gingerbread family. I'm not so sure about their poses.
These girls are silly! Just look at Lidie's face!
Amaya was pretending to whisper to Santa, and Lidie made another "cool" pose.
I wanted to get a picture of Josh and I and this is what I got.
Lidie loved the decorations and centerpieces. Especially all the oink decor.
She was so happy she got to keep the centerpiece.
Here's one of my favorite pictures of the night. Its the girls with both sets of grandparents.
Here they are with Josh's parents, "Paco and Grammy".
Here they are with my parents, "Nana and Grandpa Bobby."
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