“Normal" is a setting on your dryer.
This saying is often repeated among our circle of families with kids who have special needs (though not exclusively so -- I’ve heard it elsewhere). We are constantly reminded of the truth of that statement, and recently, we’ve had to recalibrate our sense of normal once again. Home oxygen, a continuously monitoring pulse oximeter, and private duty nursing are the newest additions to our daily lives. The first two are the result of William’s ongoing respiratory issues. The third has been long overdue.
These new things and people are much needed, but getting used to them still isn't easy. As if our smallish house weren’t strained enough for space, bringing in more equipment and people means we’re often doing strange little dances in rooms and along high traffic paths, moving boys and objects as needed. We limbo through the living room, breakdance in the bathroom, can-can at the kitchen, disco along the den, hokey-pokey down the halls. Sometimes, our movements are choreographed and we smoothly change positions and roles. Other times, we dart and dodge awkwardly around each other like beginners trying to find our footing and get in sync. We know the music, but some trickster is always changing the beat. Maybe Gloria Estefan was right: The rhythm really is gonna get you.
These new things and people are much needed, but getting used to them still isn't easy. As if our smallish house weren’t strained enough for space, bringing in more equipment and people means we’re often doing strange little dances in rooms and along high traffic paths, moving boys and objects as needed. We limbo through the living room, breakdance in the bathroom, can-can at the kitchen, disco along the den, hokey-pokey down the halls. Sometimes, our movements are choreographed and we smoothly change positions and roles. Other times, we dart and dodge awkwardly around each other like beginners trying to find our footing and get in sync. We know the music, but some trickster is always changing the beat. Maybe Gloria Estefan was right: The rhythm really is gonna get you.
Adapting to these new steps has been tiring and a little stressful, but with each passing day, we acclimate to how they fit into the grand scheme of things. But isn’t that what life is, really? Adapting to change? The moment you get used to something, it becomes something different. Change is the only thing we can ever really count on.
So we'll keep learning and growing and getting used to whatever is next, because that’s what we do, and that’s how it is. We’ll keep dancing and watch for the changes. We’ll ignore the setting on the dryer. Dancing is more interesting than laundry anyway. And a better metaphor.
