Simon At Gymnastics from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.
Today I want to share a success. Because I love celebrating Simon.
Back in May Simon started attending a weekly gymnastics class. The goal was for him to work his body and build strength. It’s a class for kids with special needs and he’s really enjoyed it from the beginning as long as everything goes how he wants it to go. And because it’s real life, some of the social parts have continued to be a challenge for him and we’re continuing to work through it (a challenge to the point where he doesn’t want to participate and lays on the floor vs. doing the exercises).
Last night he experienced a major success. The kind that builds strength of both body and mind.
Since he started a few months back he’s been doing a lot of the same exercises each week, including the one you see in the video above where he goes backwards over the barrel. Last night was the first time he did it all by himself, with strength in his legs to push off and strength in his arms to stop him on the other end. When he started his teacher needed to roll him over the barrel and fully support his arms so he wouldn’t hit his head.
The best part was how over-the-top excited he was about mastering this skill.
“Mom!” he said, “I can’t believe I’m an expert!”
And then he went right back over and did it again and again with the biggest smile on his face. I live for those smiles.
At this gym when an athlete achieves a goal or masters a significant new skill they get to go ring a bell that sounds throughout the entire gym. People stop what they are doing and clap and cheer.
Simon got to ring the bell last night and it was awesome.
Go, Simon go!
love that back walkover! Go Simon!
That is a success!! What a wonderful night! I’m SO happy for you and SO, SO happy for Simon. Continue to celebrate, that is just awesome! GO SIMON!
Way to go, Simon! Three cheers from Minnesota!
I love it, Ali! Thanks for sharing!
What a great way to start my day!! Thank you for sharing Simon’s wondeful progress. Makes me smile!
Oh yes! Go, Simon, go
Instant unexpected lump in my throat and tears of happiness for him- how awesome!!! I’m sure that bell will be ringing again very soon!
Go, Simon!
Go Simon Go!!
What a wonderful breakthrough!
Awesome, Simon! Hip, hip, hooray!!!
Ditto: Go, Simon, Go!!!
Hooray and bravo for Simon! You can be proud of him!
Brought tears to my eyes as a Mum we can all relate when our kids achieve a dream.
In tears…as I was reading I was smiling, when I got to the part when you where explaining “the bell” I started crying, know HE got to ring the bell…tears of joy of course. Go Simon Go!!!
Way to go Simon! If I had a bell I would be ringing it for him right now. I too started crying when you got to the ringing the bell part.
Love, love, love. Go Simon!
Hugs to Simon. I have a nephew that has the same struggles as Simon, and it is wonderful for the small celebrations in their lives. Hugs for you Simon. Way to go!
Like some of the other ladies I too find myself unexpectedly tearing up. Go SIMON! That is so very awesome. Sounded like Anna was also in the background cheering him on as well?
That is so awesome Ali and Simon. Thanks for sharing.
Loved the sound of what I assume is Anna cheering at the end.
YAY SIMON!!!!!!! Keep up the great work!
I have a nephew who has TS and who also has autism, so I know how meaningful these successes are! Go Simon!
I hope you know how all of your followers feel when Simon has success like this. We were right there in that gym, clapping along with the bell ringing!
Yeah!! Go Simon Go!!
That is truly AWESOME!!!
Simon has a lot of cheerleaders! How awesome! Congrats, Simon!
way to go Simon!! you are awesome…and so is your Mom!!
Congratulations Simon!! WOOHOO!!
How inspiring! Perserverance does pay off. Way to go Simon. You made my day.
This made me tear up out of happiness, I don’t know quite why.
Way to go Simon!
Go Simon GO!!! Amazing BIGGGG HUGS!
We should all celebrate our accomplishments, no matter how big or small. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if we could all be filled with the same joy that Simon had? Now THAT’S something to work towards. Thanks for sharing this piece of your life with us Ali.
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! I have just had to watch the video 4 times and I am still beaming! Go Simon! Go Ali!
Awesome! Keep going Simon!!! Suppose that was Anna’s little voice cheering for you in the background. What a great memory!
tears of joy for Simon today. so so wonderful.
What a great victory, Simon. Thank you Ali for sharing with us. You must be so proud! I also had a tear just watching it all!
Congratulations Simon! Great job!
and with this post….my heart just melted. xoxo
How wonderful! Ring that bell, Simon! It’s all for you! xoxo (Is that Anna cheering at the end? Sounds like a great cheerleader!)
Great work Simon!!!
Great job Simon! Thanks for sharing this with all of us, virtual cheer going on now!
Congratulations Simon!!! Virtual cheers from So. Cal. What a great gym kudos to you for finding it, for him.
wow Simon! Hope you get to ring the bell on lots more accomplishments this summer!
Congratulations Simon! What an awesome way to celebrate!!!
I love this story. Simon is such an awesome kid!
Bravo Simon. What a lovely tradition with the bell
Way to Go, Simon!!! Congrats on your new skill and ringing the bell!!
Oh my gosh, I got chills and tears from your story. Way to go Simon! Way to go, Ali!
Great Job Simon!!! That is just awesome!!!
How wonderful! I love it when children master something they’ve been working hard on, such a feeling of accomplishment and it gives them the confidence to try other things!
Good job Simon!
What a special moment for everyone!!