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. madeline St onge says…
    07/20/2012

    Go Simon, so proud of you

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Nancy says…
    07/20/2012

    Thank you so much for sharing this inspirational story with us. I think it would be great if we all took time to recognize the "bell worthy" moments in each other's lives! I'm going to try to remember to do that more often.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Jenny says…
    07/20/2012

    So awesome! Great job Simon! This made my morning.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Jacque says…
    07/20/2012

    I replied to this post earlier today but as the day has gone on, I keep going back to read and reread this wonderful post. It warms the heart each time I read it and I can't help but think how blesses you are to have this wonderful boy in your life and how very fornunate Simon is to be blessed with such a caring, geniune and awesome Mom. You show us what is important in life each time I read your posts and or see your pages. Thank you!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. cathicoutu says…
    07/20/2012

    Woo Hoo!! WAY to GO Simon!! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Mary R says…
    07/20/2012

    yeah for Simon! what a wonderful accomplishment!

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

    Way to go Simon. You're awesome!!

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

    Go Simon, go!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. melanie says…
    07/20/2012

    so very awesome, simon. :)

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

    Awesome job Simon!!!!

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

    Awesome. Just AWESOME. :) :) :) Way to go Simon!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Linda J says…
    07/20/2012

    Way to go Simon! That looks hard to do - and you conquered it. Great job!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Julie M says…
    07/20/2012

    Congratulations Simon! Great job! So glad that you take time to enjoy every triumph with your children.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Paula says…
    07/20/2012

    Way to go Simon!! WOW, what a super fantastic accomplishment! You have the whole world cheering you on!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Barb Dean says…
    07/20/2012

    Way to go Simon! You are so strong! You put your mind & body it in and accomplish something so fantastic!! There's no stopping you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Paula says…
    07/20/2012

    Ali, I am still smiling and thinking about this great accomplishment, and I am feeling your joy in my heart - as I do when my own child makes a breakthrough like this. I want to take a minute to just applaud you too. You are such a hero to your kids. I wish all kids on the spectrum could have the same love and understanding as you so naturally give. You should be so proud of yourself too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Kristi K says…
    07/20/2012

    What an achievement! Wish we could have been there to see it!

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

    Way to go, Simon! So proud for you!

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

    Yea for Simon and for you because you are such a good mother for him and yea for this whole community of blog followers who really care for you and your family even though we have never met.

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

    Love the RING THE BELL!! What a great idea for any gym!

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

    Congratulations Simon!! I think it is wonderful that the gym has a bell to help the students celebrate each other.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Tracy says…
    07/20/2012

    That is awesome!! Way to go Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. tchris says…
    07/20/2012

    Thanks for sharing that! It's so wonderful to see Simon succeed.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Mel says…
    07/20/2012

    Really AWESOME! What a great place for kids!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Sherried says…
    07/20/2012

    Way to go Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies

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