Figured it out!

Mommy's computer is still in intensive care. She's using Uncle's today for a quick update on the Bean....

In the past two days, the Bean has figured out (FINALLY!) how to sit up on his own from the crawling position. If he's on his back, he still tries like the dickens to sit straight up and ends up looking like he's doing crunches. However, he is figuring new things out every day and it's so fun to watch him learn.

Yesterday we went to the Sunshine Center, a place for adults with disabilities. They called and wanted me to do an article about them, so I happily obliged. They fell all over Patton and even put a sticker on his chubby cheeks. Below is the article...who knows when it'll make the Galveston Daily News blog or the paper...I have no control over these things. I just write them! Enjoy!

******************************
www.sunshine-center.org

Let the Sunshine In

My son and I were the center of attention…the main event. Inquisitive eyes stared at us as we walked into the snack room filled with onlookers. Some had brown bags and were eating their lunches, brought from home. Others were talking, playing, or just watching quietly. Several people ran up to our stroller and offered things to us, while others smiled down at the baby boy in awe, playing with his hands, squeezing his cheeks, and putting stickers on his face.

We were at a happy place which may be unknown to many Islanders. It is called the Sunshine Center, Inc., and is a non-profit organization that has been around since 1953. The Center is a retreat of sorts to those with developmental disabilities. It is their safe place, their learning center, and their sense of gravity. They come here to belong to a social group, to interact with friends, and to participate and learn every day activities which we take for granted. I was struck at how welcoming they were. While curious, they never really questioned why the two strangers were on their turf. They merely accepted us into their world, happy as clams to have us there to fuss over.

Participants are active in all kinds of activities including growing herbs and plants in their greenhouse, making ceramics, and learning in the computer room. They are taught life skills in a mock apartment setting, where they learn how to be more independent. The stand out favorite of all activities is the karaoke machine. They love music, Greece and High School Musical in particular, and can see themselves on a TV screen as they sing and dance. I have a sneaking suspicion this group lives out the old saying “dance like no one’s watching”.

My son and I were small potatoes to a day packed with such excitement. “When will you pick up the van?” one of the participants asked Miss Stephanie, our gracious tour guide. “You found our uniforms? You have to wash them?”

On this day, the pack was headed to their Scout Troop 190 meeting. They have no age limit and even allow the girls to take part in the activities. They have official uniforms, most of which survived the storm, and the participants are enormously proud of them. They earn badges, go to camps, and interact with other troops. Today, though, the anticipation of their meeting hung heavy in the air because astronauts from NASA were coming to talk to them and they had all sorts of questions looming.

We met another friend at the Sunshine Center as well. This one was a little more furry than the other participants at the center, but just as friendly. He was tall, and his big head nuzzled against my arm as if to say “scratch my ears, pretty please!” This friend’s name was Buddy and he is a pet partner at the center. He’s black with what looks like white leg warmers on his legs, and is fed and cared for by his Sunshine friends.

Our lives were truly enriched by the new friends we made at the Sunshine Center. If you ever have the opportunity, stop by the facility at 21st and O ½ and maybe they’ll let you sing along to a tune.