I absolutely love empty wheelchairs.
See, when a chair is empty, its owner is up to something.
Maybe it's just for a moment like for a diaper change, or therapy. Even when it's brief, an empty chair is a child engaging with someone in play or physical touch.
At times the simple things bring ridiculous fun-- like crying them upside down, or trying on a special new outfit! (Just make sure you never take off that new shirt, or the tears may come)!
Now, let me be clear, wheelchairs are an incredible blessing!! The proper fit will help children maintain good posture with proper support to avoid pressure ulcers and strengthen core muscles. A good wheelchair is a great blessing.
I still love empty wheelchairs!!!
They mean mobility for kids who might otherwise be trapped in the same place all day. Kids in remote areas have access to a whole new world when they receive a chair for the first time that can take them outside, but also is durable enough to go down the hill to be with their family!
They also mean we can take out littles with us to church, or into our community to be a part of our world. Wheelchairs are a miracle that change the lives of so many.
Further, lots of playtime and engaging happen while in their chairs.
Adults might chase the walking kiddos with their wheelchair using siblings, or else the height of the chairs allows them to come to the table to color or be a part of conversation.
But it's a new level when the craziness can't be contained by a seatbelt anymore!
When they are out of their chairs, it might be for time in a swing outside, or time jumbled among a million stuffed animals and kids on the mats for some wacky snuggle time shenanigans.
Getting out of the chairs means snuggles, hugs, kisses, and a new perspective.
This week, all of the chairs were empty when The kids and nannies took a walk across town to a coffeeshop with a lovely garden. Kids were all over the place on blankets spread on the ground, or running and playing in the grass and sunshine.
Getting out of the chair means loving and playing with siblings, and maybe poking their eyes... wait a second... Santi's love is a little strong. This was the last photo in that particular shoot lol!
And can we just take a moment to appreciate how great a big brother Humberto is? He loves holding his baby sister!
Sometimes getting off their chairs is just what someone needs.
Deciphering Autism can be a challenge. Sometimes miss Esther gets pretty agitated, and it's not always clear why. One thing that she loves, and nearly always helps her, is spending time soaking up the sun a short distance from all the commotion. When she is out of her chair, she soon finds the cozy spot she wants, and settles in.
Some kids have particularly high tone, so their muscles can get tight and too much in their char can be uncomfortable. They do well with lots of changes of positions.
Others struggle more when sick. A number of our kids get pretty bad when hey have a cold or respiratory infection. For them, getting out of their chair to lay on their side helps them breathe clearer, and cough out some of that nasty gunk (medical term).
Of corse there is another thing I love about empty wheelchairs, but it also hurts.
Occasionally, wheelchairs are empty because their owner has taken their last breath here, and their firs steps into the arms of the Father.
It's a hard thing to see a child's wheelchair sitting there after they have died. It was such a subtle, but constant part of their presence. It feels wrong to still be here when they are not.
But that chair is empty because it's former user doesn't need it anymore. They are walking for the first time, dancing and leaping how they never did here. They have experienced perfect healing and are free from all pain.
We love holding our littles. But we can never take away all their pain and hurt. We get to hug them for a little while, and at times carry them into the arms of the father. We give it our all, but it does not come close to comparing!
It is so hard to see their empty chair, but it is so great to see that chair empty because it is no longer needed.
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