A Blog About a Bloke-Living with WHS

As you can see, my kids are a little excited by the Olympics. Ryley is the main one who is totally obsessed with them! I think it is the movement, and the colours that he loves. But mostly, it is when things go wrong, like, say, a horserider falling off, or a diver making a big splash, or 10 cyclists crashing into each other. He LOVES it! From the minute he gets up in the morning until he goes to school he is glued to the TV. We are lucky enough to have Foxtel, which means we have 8 extra HD channels, so we can flick through and choose what we want to watch. Luckily I can also record it, which means I will have a back up for when he is bored, because he mostly won't watch tv. Tonight, Braeden decided he wanted to practice boxing like the two on TV. They both punched each other while collapsing with laughter. It was very funny.

I wish I had a photo to share, but I haven't had the chance to take one. (Edited to add some photos my Mum sent me after reading this post! Thanks Mum!!) Lately though, Ryley and Braeden have become inseparable. Braeden has decided he wants to sleep in with Ryley and they cuddle each other until we finally pry Braeden away because he is keeping Ryley awake telling him stories. This morning, I had to walk away from Ryley as I just.couldn't.dress him. The more I got cross, the more Ryley wriggled and squirmed. When I returned, Braeden was trying to put Ryley's pants on him and telling him that he "had to stop being silly". I thanked Braeden for his help, but told it wasn't his responsibility to dress Ryley. It is always a worry of mine that Braeden will think it is his job to do the things that I do. Siblings of kids with disabilities tend to become 'little parents' and this is not the path I want Braeden to take. If only Braeden had reminded me...

He is the sibling. The one who can do no wrong. He is 'neurotypical'. Developing normally. And he is the one who doesn't miss a single thing. He watches as I struggle to get Ryley into his carseat. He jumps into his without a word. Waits patiently, anxiously, with a worried frown on his face. He is relieved when finally Ryley is clicked in. He passes Ryley his cup. "Ta-aa" He almost is saying: take this cup and sit down and behave, stop being naughty. He knows that Ryley needs help with most things. He brings his shoes out for him, tries to put them on his feet. He brings out nappies, he offers his food. He only protests a little bit when Ryley takes his balls/books/anything. When Ryley won't take his medicine. Braeden asks for medicine. He knows Ryley will take his then. He knows when it is all too hard for his Mum. And he snuggles in and strokes her hair and asks for "there", which is his breastmilk. Braeden is 17 months old. Already he understands...