【Aiming for! Graduating from a Wheelchair✨】 What I can do as a parent to help my son graduate from his wheelchair.

How is everyone doing?
It's Inview🌺

Perhaps because it's the change of seasons lately,
my allergy symptoms are severe,
and I'm sleep-deprived because I cough at night😓

The day after Golden Week, it's time to go back to elementary school after a long break.
I, the parent, am feeling a bit reluctant to go.

“Kote (my son), it’s okay if you want to take a break, you know?”
“I’m going!”
“Wait, you’re going?💦”

It was mentally tough during his school refusal days
when he said he wouldn't go,
but I feel like him saying he wants to go every day
is also tough in its own way🤣

Since I’m just going to school with him,
it’s physically simple.

When Kote is feeling energetic,
we walk there,
but on days when he’s tired, we go to school in his wheelchair.

Even though it’s just past 8 in the morning,
the temperature is starting to rise, so
it’s a test of my physical stamina.

“Mom, if you push the wheelchair while walking,
will you build muscle?”
“That’s right. Maybe I will.”
“Then, that’s good exercise!”

As always, Kote thinks
optimistically about
being in a wheelchair.

Me: “That’s true. I’m fine, but
won’t Kote’s muscles get weaker?”
Kote: “Will they get weak?”
Me: “So, what should we do?”
Kote: “Then, I’ll walk sometimes!”
Me: “That’s a good idea! How are you going to get to after-school care today?”

Without hesitation at my question,

“Wheelchair!”

Kote answered.


What was that conversation

all about!?🤣

“I see. You’re tired, aren’t you. Walk there and take the wheelchair back, or
take the wheelchair there and walk back.
Which would you prefer?”

Kote looked up at the ceiling
and thought for a while.

“I’ll walk there. I’ll take the wheelchair back.”
“You decided that yourself, that’s great! I love walking while holding your hand, Kote💕”

While holding Kote’s small hand,
we walked to the after-school care center.

Even though we had started,
Kote, being the spoiled boy he is,
stopped walking right away.

"Mommy, carry me!"
"I can't, you're too heavy! Do you want me to give you a knuckle sandwich like Crayon Shin-chan?"

Kote giggled and started walking again.

Kote used to only talk about trains in a one-sided way.

Thanks to going to after-school day care almost every day,
he can now have complex conversations.
When I carefully explained why he needed to walk,

Kote seemed to understand little by little.

Don't force him to walk.
Threatening him isn't right either.
But giving him a little push is okay.

It's a difficult balance to strike,
but it was a fun spring afternoon.

It's okay.

I'm sure you'll want to run around on your own
before you know it.