Week 12

On the days she sees me, Briana attends a day program for adults with special needs. They teach her life skills and job skills so that she can have a functioning role in society. They also plan outings and activities to expose her to things she may not get to do otherwise. Briana has told me about trips to the museum, the capitol building, and the planetarium. She has also told me about trips to the mall, jobs she gets to do like answering the phone and vacuuming, and parties they have had. Briana loves her day program, and I am grateful to them for being able to drop her off three times a week for her session. If it weren't for this service, I'm not sure that she would be able to come as often.

Normally, Briana arrives at least ten minutes before her session. I sit near the window so I can see her coming. I like to walk out to greet her and thank her driver for bringing her. So on Wednesday, when the clock reads 2:30 and there is still no sign of Briana, I begin to worry. After calling her mom to let her know that Briana has not been dropped off, she assures me that they are on their way. As it turns out, they had car trouble and had to switch to another vehicle. So, Briana arrives 15 minutes late and we have less than 45 minutes to workout by the time we get downstairs.

The good news is that Briana is eager to get to work. She remembers that we are starting with a ten minute warm up on the treadmill. She also remembers that we are supposed to end with another ten minutes on the treadmill for a total of twenty minutes. I tell her that she is right, but I remind her that we are short on time and will probably have to skip the second ten minutes. Although she seems disappointed, she understands. When I tell her that we will definitely do it on Friday, her spirits lift and she is ready to work.

Even though it is short, Brana has an amazing workout. She takes little rest and does everything I ask of her. She has a few moments of agitation. I now take this as a sign that she is working hard and feeling uncomfortable, just like any other person going through a challenging workout. I know I can still push her a bit even when she is agitated. I just can't push too hard or she will refuse to listen to me. As in all things there is a delicate balance, and we have definitely found our groove.

On Friday, Briana arrives 15 minutes early. I take advantage of the extra time and get her started right away. She gets on the treadmill, sets her speed, presses start, and gets going ALL BY HERSELF! This is a tremendous accomplishment for her. I think back to her first day on the treadmill when she was so scared and could barely get through one minute with me standing by her side, holding her back tightly and letting her know that she would be okay. I feel so proud of her confidence and independence and I tell her so.

Briana proceeds to do her ten minute warm up without my assistance. When she finishes, I press "stop" and give her water. "Wow!" she says. "How did I do?"

"You did great! I am so proud of you! How do you feel?"

"Good." she says with a satisfied smile on her face.

That smile comes and goes through the rest of the workout. She smiles less when she gets tired or when her muscles are sore. She smiles more when it is time to move on to something new. And she especially smiles when it is finally time to do her second ten minutes on the treadmill. This is a first for her and her longest time on the treadmill yet. She wants to do it all by herself and "surprise" me. I agree reluctantly. I want to honor her independence, but I'm not sure how her stamina will hold up after the strenuous workout we have done. I sit on the couch and pretend to busy myself with a notepad and pen. I keep a close eye on her from the corner of my eye. I smile as she coaches herself: "You got this. Come on. You can do it," she says aloud. And she does.

She calls to me when the time hits twenty minutes. By the time I get to her side and press stop, she has done a total of 20 minutes and 14 seconds. Her face is pink, and she is sweaty, and she is so happy with herself! "I've never done this before! My mom is going to be so proud".

I know she is right. Her mom will be proud, but having seen it with my own eyes, no one can be prouder than me.