We weren't sure how her first performance would go. She knows the dance since they've been working on it every week, she loves doing the dance, but with her anxiety we just weren't sure. When we got there she immediately started breaking down very scared because it was so so loud. She was shaking like a leaf and gripping us for dear life for the first 45 minutes. Gramma Liz came along and gave Zoya some comfort through it as well. She had a great idea and found some cotton that we put in Zoya's ears. (I'm hunting for some better ear plugs, or wax that I can mold that will help keep some sound out, or possibly an external pair of headphones for her noise sensitivity. We're also going to start therapeutic listening again as that helped with this issue when she was first home). The cotton helped quite a bit, but Zoya was still very nervous saying "home, please!" We walked her out of the gym area and found her teacher who also gave her some snuggles and loved on her a bit! We got her calmed down enough to go back in the gym and she saw Uncle Mike and Aunt Carol. She was thrilled everyone came to watch her dance, but still a bit nervous. When they say it takes a village, they're right....our little village of friends that were there to support Zoya that day did not just sit back on the bleachers and watch....they actively engaged with her and helped to ease her fears right along with us. It was tough walking the line between pushing her too much, and just calling it quits (because believe me, there were a few times I thought maybe we should just take her home). But I knew she wanted to dance because she loves it and talked about it for days before. I thought to myself, even if she just watches the rest of the kids, that will be a success. The fact that she was able to regroup and calm herself was success all by itself! Their warm up time came and Zoya rocked the practice routine. You can see it here!
Then it was time for the real show. I was so nervous I was shaking too. I wasn't nervous she wouldn't get the moves right, that wasn't important. I was nervous that she was nervous....if you're a parent you know what I mean! I passed her off to her amazing helper and stayed back as best I could :) Then it was time for her to do her thing! She rocked it!! She decided to veer off and put on her own show for the cheerleaders on the sideline, but we were so proud of her for overcoming her anxiety and getting out there and dancing it up! There were tears, lots of tears, a standing ovation for the whole group of amazing kiddos, and then more tears. I know it might not seem like a big deal, but we were so very proud of Zoya!! She truly inspires me! There may have been an ice cream bribe involved, but there was also lots of love and comfort given to Zoya and it's just what she needed.
Here is some pre-dance performance baby sister cuteness! (I found those shirts on clearance at Children's Place for $2! woot! perfect for the occasion!)
And the star herself....
Waiting for the big moment! Sofia loved all the noise by the way! Imagine that ;)
Zoya's village....
Gramma Liz
Uncle Mike is a baby whisperer! Mila also loved the noise and craziness!
A sweet moment between Zoya and I captured by my friend Joanie!
Zoya's helper helping Zoya with her noise sensitivity!
Ready to rock it! (you can see the cotton in her ears...great idea Liz!)
She REALLY was having fun once she got over her anxiety!
I think this was one of her favorite parts...grabbing her guitar and putting it down to jump over it!
This image will be in my heart forever! Not a dry eye in the place...so proud of our Zoya girl! This is her teacher from school, and Daddy, both in tears and so proud of Zoya.
A sweet hug from a sweet buddy!
We're so proud of you Zoya!!
That was huge, amazing, way to go Zoya! Harry has sensory issues and goes through the anxiety, etc. as well so what Zoya accomplished is huge. So glad for all the support you had. You are doing such a fantastic job! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCount me in on the tears! So awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Zoya! www.puttybuddies.com for soft silicone ear plugs in many colors!
ReplyDeletePat
Your girls are just looking so beautiful! When my daughter got her first ear tubes her hearing improved dramatically and she was really freaked out by the sudden loudness. We used silly putty as ear plugs for her, they are cheap, easy to replace, form to the ear and stay in really well. Maybe that would work for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing those moments. So precious. I love how she hugs her helper after the dance! She did great!
ReplyDeleteThis had me in tears too! SUCH an accomplishment for sweet Zoya!!! And she is resourceful too.....getting her cheerleading audition in at the same time!!! Love it! What an awesome program this is....with the helpers for each child! Kudos to those who have provided this opportunity, not only to the little ones but for the older kids as well! Ministry for sure!! WAY TO GO ZOYA...YOU ROCK!!!! (((BIG HUGS)))!!!
ReplyDeleteIt really is an amazing program!!!! We are so lucky to have it here!
DeleteWAY TO GO ZOYA !! Great dancing !
ReplyDeleteTotally cried watching your sweet, amazing Zoya! If it impacted me that much I can't even imagine how moving it was for you as her Mommy:)
ReplyDeleteYour family is AMAZING:)
Susan from Boston
I cry when I just think about it! HAHA
DeleteWay to go Zoya!
ReplyDeleteOne of my daughters has some auditory sensitivities related to SPD. We have noise canceling headphones and have used wax in her ears (we got it at Walgreens- wax earplugs. The foam earplugs did not fit small kid ears AT ALL!)
For some noise coverage, we also found that earmuffs or those snow 'ear bands' (looped around head and over ears, like a huge headband) worked as well.
If she has texture sensitivities- the wax may bother her! (it bothered my daughter at first)
Do the headphones you have cut the sound out 100%? We bought some noise reducing ones, but they still allow her to hear safety commands and some sound...I'm hoping they work but if not we might have to look for some that block sound out totally. We found some tiny ear wax too....kids with DS typically have very small ears and Zoya sure does! She already wears the headphones at home when her sisters are too loud and she likes them, so I'm hopeful it will help for her next dance performance!
DeleteOkay, you got another one in tears up here in Maine! AWESOME JOB, SWEET ZOYA!! Sarah, if the answer is no to this I will understand and not take offense but do you think that it would be okay to send her a little something to congratulate her or would that confuse her since she doesn't know me? (I'd enclose something for the other sweeties too!) If it's ok with you and your hubby for me to do that, just email me your addy and I'll get that out asap! Love the photos--that one "sweet moment" between u and Zoya is precious--the eye contact you give her and she returns, what a strong bond and what comfort she finds in her mama--that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, I don't see your email address? :)
DeleteSorry, Sarah, I just realized I hadn't posted it lol. It's onceachild@aol.com. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I dont see how any mommy could watch those videos and not tear up! How proud you must be!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I dont see how any mommy could watch those videos and not tear up! How proud you must be!
ReplyDelete