Ring That Bell




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!

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126 thoughts

  1. Becky @ Pieces of my Life says…
    07/20/2012

    Simon you are awesome!!!!!

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  2. slmnontec says…
    07/20/2012

    We should all be celebrating our children's accomplishments no matter the age. I love a celebration.

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  3. Leigh says…
    07/20/2012

    I needed to hear a happy story this morning, so thank you! Cheers to Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Queen Mary says…
    07/20/2012

    Congratulations to you AND to Simon -- and to Anna for being such a super supportive sister! I'm very proud of Simon too -- not because of the muscle he's built, but because of his ability to roll backwards into the unknown, into what he cannot see! That has to be a mental success (at least it is for me), and back in the olden days when I took yoga, I remember how careful the teacher was about back bends -- he said they often opened up emotional issues - he had a student who started sobbing after a backbend and it was a male student! So Simon has conquered quite a bit in my way of thinking! And I love the positive bell ringing -- it's a negative thing in Navy Seals -- they ring the bell when they can't take it anymore! Simon is pretty tough and very resilient!

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  5. Kristen says…
    07/20/2012

    Brings tears to my eyes. Way to go Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Margy E. says…
    07/20/2012

    Nice work Simon...and good for you, too, Mom!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Christine says…
    07/20/2012

    Love success stories like that! Way to go, Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Sue says…
    07/20/2012

    This touches my heart! Way to go Simon!

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  9. Jessica B says…
    07/20/2012

    That is awesome!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Dawn Ritchie says…
    07/20/2012

    Way to go, Simon!! Totally teared up. Fantastic job!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Chris says…
    07/20/2012

    So so proud of you buddy! We love you Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Michele H. says…
    07/20/2012

    I love every bit of this! Go Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. sarah says…
    07/20/2012

    way to go simon! you are awesome, dude!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. KJ Watson says…
    07/20/2012

    Go, Simon! I love reading about your bell-ringing moments! You are an inspiration to my little boy, Pierce.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Lynne Gillis says…
    07/20/2012

    Oh my gosh... this one brought a flood of tears (happy tears!) for me. So glad that you shared this! Thank you! Go Simon, Go!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. kelly libby says…
    07/20/2012

    phew... that brought tears to my eyes! Amazing. And, who doesn't want and need some bell ringing and cheering?? Great job, Simon. (and, Ali).

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Debbie S. says…
    07/20/2012

    So. Totally. AWESOME! Way to go, Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Marsaille says…
    07/20/2012

    Literally brought tears!! YEA!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Laura says…
    07/20/2012

    Congratulations, Simon! Way to go!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Christine says…
    07/20/2012

    I'm ringing my bell for Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. cindy says…
    07/20/2012

    So happy for you guys! Really lets you remember to celebrate how very blessed we all are and not to take so much for granted! This post made my day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Lynn Wigren says…
    07/20/2012

    Tearing up in New York on Friday! So happy for you all. Go, Simon, Go!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Deb J says…
    07/20/2012

    Go Simon Go!!!! Great work. How wonderful that he was able to do and and go ring the bell.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Lalia Harris says…
    07/20/2012

    Sweet success. Love the pride that he has when he knows he's achieved something new!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Nicky H says…
    07/20/2012

    WOOHOOO!! Go Simon!! That's awesome! *HIGH FIVE!!*

    Reply 0 Replies

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