Kyle Deserves a Medal

Bryce and Kyle have grown up together. They have been friends since birth. Only three months separate them, although you couldn't tell because Kyle over towers Bryce by a good foot. As they've grown, Bryce has had a lot of questions about Kyle. Kyle is autistic and finds interest in things other kids could care less about, like wire whisks. Bryce asks why he jumps and screams when he's watching TV. We tell him it is because he is excited and happy. Well now when my kids are excited about something on TV they jump and flap their hands too! It is neat to see the interaction between kids and how they pick up each others habits.

When Bryce started asking a lot of questions about Kyle (around 3 years old), Katie suggested we explain to him why he is different and how he learns. He has Fragile X, as well as autism so we tell Bryce that God made the X in his brain different then the X in Bryce's brain. It goes well. Bryce seems to understand and respect Kyle's boundaries.

Not to say it is always easy. If you are Kyle's friend expect to watch A LOT of Dora (it is his favorite show) watch your water (it will be dumped out), and watch your back (if you are in his space-you may get pushed). Since Bryce and Leah have been raised around Kyle, they have come to expect certain behaviors he has. For a while, whenever Kyle would do something a little out of the ordinary Bryce would make an X with his fingers and would proudly say, "I know, I know....his X is different."

There are definite bonuses to being Kyle's friend too! His diet consists mostly of chips, Cheetos and Starbursts. The really good stuff. Well, he doesn't seem to mind sharing and my kids love to eat up the cheesy chips and candy.

Katie called yesterday to share the exciting news that they had made a breakthrough with therapy. They got Kyle to eat an apple!! It is hard to get any kid to eat an apple, so for Kyle, it was a miracle. It reassured Katie that therapy was working. Such a small gesture but such a big milestone!!

I was excited and was telling Bobby today about Kyle's progress in the car. Bryce was in the back playing and I did not think he was listening, when all of a sudden he asked in total surprise, "Kyle actually ate an apple?!?!"

I said, "Yes, he worked really hard and he ate an apple!"

Bryce said, "Oh. My. Gosh!! He deserves a medal. I will make him one. Oh and Mom...I am going to give him a water bottle cap too, I know how he likes those! A soft one though, cuz I don't want him to hurt himself when he puts it in his mouth."

Sometimes you wonder why God would want to make some children different. Why he would give some people a challenge such as eating an apple, but really Kyle teaches us so much about patience, compassion and being carefree. It's no wonder God puts kids like Kyle into our hands. It is really for our own good, not his!