Sharing “I CAN!” attitudes: Angela & Bayler
“You Can’t Stop The Beat”
We have many proud moments of our daughter, Angela (23 year old micro preemie with visual impairment, mild cerebral palsy, seizures).
Angela exhibiting an “I CAN” attitude
Last October, I talked her into trying a Special Needs Dance Class (and film too). She was hesitant because she lacks coordination and balance. Almost a year later, she loves it! This group of young adults pitches in to help one another with whatever difficulties they have. And Angela is a “natural” in front of the camera and on stage…something I never realized about her.
A few months later, in December, they performed for the Oklahoma State Special Educators Convention where they were a huge hit. There have been a few other performances since then. These have included a street fair performance and her first recital on a stage, where she showed more self-confidence than I’ve ever seen. I am so proud that Angela had the courage to give it a go even though movement is difficult for her.
I am attaching a picture of her, in her costume, for the “You Can’t Stop The Beat” (song from Hairspray) performance. Also, you can find information about the group called Julia’s Champions at https://www.juliadanceacademy.com/
~ Kathy Norris (Angela’s proud Mom)
Dancing her heart out
When my daughter was born, they told us she would never walk, talk, or be like other children. They told us not to get attached because she would probably not reach age 5. How can someone tell a parent not to love our child because she is going to die? Well, we managed to fall head over heels in love with her and she showed us so much. She talked by age 8 months, walked by age 10 months, and was so beautiful that she modeled.
My proudest moment was sitting and watching her get on stage for her first Dance Recital. She was so beautiful and even though she couldn’t wear tap shoes, due to her deformed feet, she danced her heart out in her tights with the ribbons for her shoes tied around her ankles. I remember crying because I never expected her to walk and then seeing her dance made my heart dance as well. I could hear the whispers of people around us saying things about how pretty she was and I heard people say things about her feet and asking each other what was wrong with her and how she shouldn’t be up there that way. I was so proud of her strength that nothing else mattered.
She has done pageants and continues to grow more beautiful every day. She has managed to teach so many that there is no such thing as normal—everyone is different and everyone is special!
~ Laci Mulick (Proud mommy of Bayler Mulick- age 7
Share a Proud Moment with us Next Issue! Proud Moments can be any time that you have been extremely proud of your child with special needs. It can be when they are giving it their all or reaching a milestone. You may feel you can only share your excitement or enthusiasm with someone that will really understand. We understand. submit@parentingspecialneeds.org
Photo courtesy Kathy Norris
