Learning To Ride
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We've been taking the slow route in helping Simon learn to ride his bike.
Slow and deliberate with lots and lots of confidence-building praise and support.
While visiting my brother and his family we took him to a track to get in some more practice.
He was doing so awesome...better than ever with his balance.
I had the video camera rolling so he could see that he really was doing it. He loved seeing those videos and it was such a good reminder to me that he's a visual kid and seeing himself in action is a great teaching tool. My favorite parts of the video (which are much to shaky to share) are hearing my brother and sister-in-law cheering in the background as Chris takes his hand off the bike or Simon's back. There's so much love in their voices.
And then he got going a bit too fast around a corner.
There was a crash.
And lots of tears.
And lots of comfort.
And maybe even a bit of chocolate cake with the sentiment "way to go Simon" written in blue icing on top after dinner to celebrate all the awesome riding he'd been doing before the crash and maybe, just maybe encourage him to get on his bike again.
We were a bit worried he'd resist getting back on his bike after the crash but he was totally ready to try again.
Even a rainbow and a bunch of crows showed up to give him some support.
That willingness to try again after falling off...it's so huge.
He got right back on and was totally excited all over again.
Keep practicing buddy - we know you can do it!
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134 comments
That is very sweet. Love the picture of the two of their backs and their arms around each other!
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love this post. love your approach to the learning (video, love, encouragement, cake). go simon!
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Great post...the picture of Simon hugging Chris made me tear up!
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Me too. Pure love.
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WOO HOO Simon!!! Awesome job getting back on your bike and giving it another try! GO GO GO!!! Love love love the pics, but maybe the story even more.
On a side note, Ali, I want to say thank you. I went to my first full body skin cancer screening (local dermatologist was offering free screenings). I go back to have 4+ suspicious spots biopsied. Thank you for giving me the info, strength, and courage to go and get what I have been avoiding for so many years taken care of.
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You mentioning how Simon is such a visual person reminded me of the movie Temple Grandin. I just watched that show and loved it. Totally not a movie I'd watch but I kept seeing it on Netflix. I loved it. If you haven't seen it you should. Sorry this is just so random to mention that movie but I really enjoyed it and I guess it's just a movie that's been on my mind a lot this week.
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I am a Kindergarten teacher and using video of students to see themselves in action is SUCH a great idea. What is good for autistic kids is good for ALL KIDS! Thanks for the inspiration!
I bought Temple Grandin after I saw that it was nominated for an Emmy last summer. This film went on to win an Emmy in 2010 as well as a Golden Globe. One of the best movies I have ever watched. This is an unlifting movie for the whole family to enjoy. Teachers especially could benefit from this movie. Buy it, rent it or get it at your local library.
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Your post brought tears to my eyes; such love and devotion in your family.
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Way to go Simon! I love this story. My son was a little later than most kids to ride a bike as well - interestingly, the thing that seemed to help him was buying a larger one - while the bike shop people had sold us an appropriate one, we were having him learn on his first bike because we thought being lower to the ground was better in case he crashed! Turns out it was making it harder for him to maintain balance. just a thought?!
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Tears in my eyes, smile on my face, you have the best boy ever. My one little word is Soul- and please let Simon know he did my soul good today. He already is a success - his efforts are superior.
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Ali, your story is so beautifully told and captured. Way to go, Simon! You brought tears to my eyes as well in reading of the love and support you bring to Simon. What a fantastic accomplishment, esp. to literally and proverbially keep getting back on the bike and trying again.
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What a great, powerful post!
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wonderful story - thank you for sharing. our almost 7 year old son mastered riding his bike without training wheels earlier this summer, and the pride and joy I felt for him while watching him was so incredible I thought my heart was going to burst. I only wish I had taken some pictures to document the moment so that he could look back on it with pride.
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My favorite aspect of parenthood is how you get to re-live childhood, if a little less carefree. You forget how amazing learning to ride a bike really is, or how carefree summer days spent swimming can be, or even something as simple as staying up a little past bedtime playing outside can be the best part of a day. You forget the magic of life until you see it through your child's eyes...and that's what I love about what you share Ali. You have that fresh new perspective on everyday life, and enjoying it to the full for what it is; the little and the big. Thank you for sharing your story...
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OK...this made me cry. Your patience as a family is remarkable to me. Your support for Simon is ramarkable to me.
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Ali,
I can so share your sentiment about the bike riding.... I also have a "special" kid whose motor skills are an issue. Finally at about 10 he decided that he wanted to go on a bike ride with his friends but couldn't go because he didn't know how to ride. We got home that night and he put onhis helmet, pads etc..... I was hanging on for dear life to his seat, when I could see he had his balance, I let go...... Amazingly off he went 1 small crash and back on.... He hasn't looked back since..... Congratulations to Simon "riding a Bike is a BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT....
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I'm cheering for you, Simon! You can do it!
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Yeah for Simon way to go! Beautiful pictures Ali, life is truly a blessing.
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Go Simon Go!!!! You can do it!!!!
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WAY TO GO Simon!! There are several adults, including myself, that could serve to be reminded of the beauty in trying again even after we fall. This post touched me so...
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Way to go Simon! Ali- you continue to remind me of the power of stories. Thank you for this gift- very heart warming.
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Way to go Simon! So proud of you! My daughters are 10 and 8 and we are still practicing to ride 2-wheel bikes. The photos are gorgeous, Ali, showing the real emotions of father and son! What an inspiration- thank you!
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