I've always made it my personal mission to point out that the only thing my Deaf children can't do is hear. I guess it's not highly likely that they'll be air traffic controllers either, but who's really counting?
CJ has always surpassed the expectations of those around him. Byron and I learned early on never to assume we knew what he was going to do next. Thing only thing we can absolutely expect from him in the unexpected. He has a long history of wild and crazy antics. From drowning the fish (literally! Who knew that was even possible?!?!?) to finding ways to practically cut off his finger with a butcher knife to making friends with every single person he ever meets to demonstrating a drive to beat the odds like no one we've ever met, CJ has ALWAYS proven us unprepared for anything he has up his sleeve.
A couple of summers ago, he taught himself to read. When Kindergarten started this year, he told his teacher what the difference is between an octagon and a hexagon. The list just goes on and on and on. This week was the tip of the iceburg. Our little CJ, who they told us would likely never speak (Ha! Couldn't have been more wrong there.) got a letter in the mail welcoming him to the gifted and talented program. Once again, he has proven that the ONLY thing he can't do is hear.
That is totally, wonderfully, amazingly AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteAnd I do have to wonder... how do you drown a fish?
Add alka seltzer, pepto, and baby bath to the fish tank. Your fish will literally sink to the bottom within fifteen minutes despite your best efforts at fishy CPR.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, CJ and mom! It will be great for him. Not only will it give him a challenge, but he will make friends that will encourage creative thinking. I struggled a little bit in elementary school with making new friends (although it certainly doesn't sound like he does), until I got into our local G&T program. Now I know almost all of my friends from it. We have some interesting conversations that go on at our lunch table
ReplyDeleteAnd drown a fish? I must say, I'm even more impressed by that!
What a blessing!!!! That is so neat!! Way to go CJ!!!
ReplyDeleteROFL! I am laughing so hard I choked! I could totally see one of my kids doing that. Hahaha!
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic. I just got goosebumps as I got to the end of your post. Hooray for CJ!!!! Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI can see all of your kiddos succeeding at drowning a fish...Gotta love them though...CJ is an awesome boy with an awesome voice. He has proved them wrong about the talking cuz he sure loves to do it. I cannot wait til I can see them in the office and not get in trouble.
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