Mindy Update

Mindy loves sailing with Daddy and his friends. It is impossible to drive in the direction of the Marina without her expecting to go out on someone’s boat.

Our last outing was on a client’s 49' Grand Banks motor yacht. We spotted three California Grey Whales feeding together just off Playa del Rey, California.

I'm not sure Mindy knows what we were seeing at the time. But she loved hearing the excitement in the passenger’s voices.

Mindy: The Peace Maker

It's Los Angeles. Everybody is into there own thing. That's all fine and good.

But Mindy has taught me something lately. And this is how.

We have the same routine every time I take Mindy on an outing. On the way back to her mother's, we must do the following. Or there is hell to pay.

1. Stop by the video store so Mindy can pick out a tape.

2. Eat dinner at the cafe next door.

3. Then and only then...can I take her home without a protest. (I can't remember the last time she protested...oh..that's because I always do it Mindy's way).

Story about the video store: We arrive. Mindy makes her way to the section where Barney is. (I can do a pretty good Barney imitation by the way). So there is a young woman near the Barney isle. Before I can stop her...Mindy has her face up to this poor unsuspecting person. I never know how people will react. I try to keep her close..but she is too fast sometimes.

Well here I am surprised again..cuz the woman just gives me a charming smile. I say "sorry about that." "that's okay", she replies with an amused grin.

After Mindy picks out her tape, she walks it up to the counter for daddy to pay. Now...I'm intrigued with some movie on the monitor at the back of the store. So..I'm not paying too close attention...like I should. I hear scratching on the counter. So I look down. There is Mindy scribbling on the same woman's receipt. The woman just smiles.

I always let Mindy sign the receipt. I suppose she couldn't wait.

Story about the cafe.

We arrive. The place is packed. I spot a table and guide Mindy toward it. No...that table isn't good. The better place is on the bench of a booth that is already occupied by a woman sitting across from the table.

So Mindy decides she is going to join this woman. I tried to guide Mindy to my table. Nope..isn't gonna happen.

So I'm surprised again. Because the lady didn't get upset. She didn't protest. She just kept her cool and waited the ten minutes it took me to coax Mindy to my table with the promise of a glass of water and the video tape she just rented.

To Mindy. Everyone is family.

Mindy and Recliners

A funny Mindy story

Mindy loves to ride the train at the local mall. When I arrive at the house to pick her up she usually greats me with the words "Chooo Choooooo! in her high desperate voice. I repeat the words to let her know we are going to the train. Ocassionally I will include her sign for the train and pump my fist like I'm pulling a train whistle. Otherwise I let her know we are going to one of other favorite activities like sailing or roller skating at the beach.

Over the holidays we had to park in a different spot due to the increased traffic. Change is never good with Mindy. We entered through an unfamiliar door leading to a major department store. She seemed eager to lead. I figured her mother must have entered through this door before. Mindy can remember how to get to the train, like a homing pigeon.

So I casually followed as she pulled my hand. Before I knew it we had boarded the up escalators to the third floor. After stepping off, Mindy led me in the general direction of the train. Then Mindy spotted the furniture section. She has always had a thing for recliners. She is intrigued by the way they lay back and the foot rest pops out. She has a combination of fear and intrigue. For years she would place her stuffed animals on any recliner to see if it would be swallowed up.

She immediately let go of my hand and proceeded to sit down in every recliner on display. Then she tried out some couches, then sat on a stack of area rugs, then back to the recliners.

After a while, I felt we had worn out our welcome at the furniture display. It took about ten more minutes to encourage her to finally leave. I have seen kids less excited at Disneyland.

I have been running into people who have a child with Rett Syndrome in their life. Most see Mindy and I on the street, and comment on how they think it is great that I bring Mindy out. I just love her company. Even when she is pushing Daddy's buttons.

You May Feel Fear At First

Why me?

I am ashamed to have asked that question. But it is only one of the many normal responses you will feel as you grow with your special child.

I will be adding information and stories about my experiances with my daughter Mindy.

In the mean time please visit http://www.rettsyndrome.org/index.htm

Be sure to click on Meet Some Rett Angels.

Please check back here again.

Mike. Father to Mindy