Life with Dyspraxia (Epic post alert)

Life with dyspraxia sucks. 

For those who haven't heard of it before dyspraxia or DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder) is a Developmental disorder of the brain in childhood causing difficulty in activities requiring Coordination and movement.

Although we don't officially have that diagnosis yet (age is a big factor) we have come to the conclusion that if it walks, flys and clucks like a chicken then it's a chicken. DD2 checks all the dyspraxia boxes.

Today has been a beautiful sunny day so I attempted a trip to the park with the children. 

First we have to get ready. That's problem one. DD2 is desperate to get her own shoes on and it's a process that takes quite a while. First we need to get everything done in the right order. Both shoes undone, right foot in right shoe, left foot in left shoe and both shoes done up. 

Eventually we get there but then DD2 has a small tantrum because while I was talking her through the process, DD1 has put on Gmans shoes to be helpful and DD2 wanted to do it. 

Thankfully the nice weather means we don't need the inside/outside/arms in coat/zip fiasco.

Once outside DD2 takes her spot holding onto the buggy. DD2 very rarely stands or walks independently. She is unsteady on her feet and likes to walk or stand holding/touching something in case she needs the support.

Everytime we cross the road she has to switch sides because she has a fear of falling in the road. This prompts arguments from DD1 because "that was my side first!" Although DD1 has matured a lot about that sort of thing lately. 

Even though DD2 is holding onto the buggy she still stumbles and trips very often. Walking with out falling takes a lot of concentration for DD2, loud noises, birds flying nearby, interesting flowers etc all end with lapses in concentration. Today by the time we reach the park, a 12 minute walk, DD2 has two fresh grazed knees and possibly a few shin bruises. 

For the first 5 minutes we do well. Gman comes out of his buggy and everyone plays on the slide together nicely. DD1 takes a tumble and grazes her knee. DD2 is asked to play in the sand pit as it's the safest place for lone play, gman goes back in the buggy and I give DD1 some first aid and comfort.

DD1 doesn't like the slide anymore and we all head over the swings. The park is busy but there is one swing free, it's a baby swing so DD2 goes first as Gman is still safely in the buggy. After a few minutes DD2 swaps with Gman and the two girls push him gently between them. All is going great. 

A 'big girl' swing opens up and DD1 runs off to play on it. DD2 wants to go back to the sand pit so off she runs stumbling on route but saving herself. Phew!

For a moment or two longer peace reigns.

But then DD2 comes back, she's had a bathroom accident. DD2 can have bathroom accidents without warning, it's the biggest on going problem we're currently tackling. As this park has no bathroom facilities, (always a risk to visit!) We have to head home to get DD2 sorted out. I pull off my hoody and put it over her so she isn't sat in wet clothes for the journey home. This is the reason that I wear two top layers no matter the weather. 

 DD2 is feeling embarrassed and spends most of the walk home riding on the bar handle of Gmans buggy and clutching my neck. She repeatedly asks if I'm angry or mad at her. I reassure her that I'm not and I love her lots and lots. She walks the final 50 metres of the journey home and manages one more trip before falling through the front door and bumping her head on the doorframe.

The entire trip has taken about 45 minutes. Gman has had a few goes on the slide and some time on the swing, hardly any exercise at all.

DD1 is frustrated because she wasn't finished at the park yet and thinks her grazed knee might be a mortal wound.

DD2 is semi-nude with 2 grazed knees and bumped head.

Dyspraxia sucks. And I need Gin!

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