When my little Beth was born, I was so worried about the affect her disability would have on her older sister. I could only think of the negative impact that there could be. There was so much that was unknown to me, and it was all very overwhelming and frightening.I can honestly say that Beth has been the most amazing gift to our family, and especially to her big sister Poppy. There is not a sister in the world that could love Beth as much as she does, she is her protector, her comedian, her cheerer upper, her hugger, her best friend.
But what about the benefits to Poppy? Well I am happy to say that I believe there are many. From a very early age we have been doing therapies with Beth, we have taught Beth to read, to do mathematics, to crawl and creep in appropriate cross pattern. All the time Poppy has been there learning and helping too.Poppy was never interested in doing the reading programme that we did with Beth, and we respected that. But she still observed on occasion and she flew through her first year at school with her reading skills, and we believe she absorbed an awful lot, just by having it surround her.
We had taught Poppy to swim from a very young age, but she was always fearful and unhappy about it. Because of Beth we made contact with the AIAHP, and were blessed to have private swimming lessons with Claire Timmermans who helped to develop the swimming program with the IAHP, Claire taught us how to give Poppy confidence, and that children will learn with love and nurturing - parents are the best teachers. We stopped her lessons and went swimming as a family. Poppy's confidence grew and grew and she is now an amazing swimmer, swimming length after length, and I am pretty proud of her, being only 7.
When Beth was very young we purchased a brachiation ladder from Naturally Better Kids, and Poppy used it constantly, we now also have a trapeze which is in constant use as well! Poppy is now an amazing gymnast, and we could not be more proud of her. She has only been in formal lessons for a year but the change in her is incredible!
Beth has taught her patience (most of the time...), compassion, and taught all of us how to celebrate the small stuff.
We now have a new addition to the family. Eleanor Rose was born last year and has settled in wonderfully to our little unit. She is much adored and loved by her sisters, and Poppy is just the most wonderful second Mum to Ellie, she is just adorable with her. I feel truly blessed to have my three little girls.
