My kid is a Rockstar. My kid is also crazy. My kid likes to play. My kid has SPD. My kid is understanding. My kid is a jokester. My kid is also a typical boy.
In typical boy fashion and at only 5 years of age, he has received his first concussion. 2 weeks ago, on a Friday with only 10 minutes left on the school-day, he went full steam ahead into a metal parallel bar on the playground. It was made just for him. It was the perfect measurement to smoke his nose on. He passed out, on his back but only for a matter of seconds. And then the blood, immediate swelling of the eyes and of course his tears.
His sad tears quickly turned to happy tears. On the walk to the nurses office, he starting telling jokes to his teacher. How he doesn’t care if he loses his nose because he will grow another one like lizard from Spider-Man. Then he preceded to say how cool his fall was!
I was sitting in my car as I do everyday waiting for the kids to be let out for the day. Along came a classmates father, knocks on my window and scares the bejesus out of me. He tells me that I need to go to the nurses office right away because he just witnessed what happened. I run to the door. It feels like forever until someone opens the door. I then run past them as I shout that my son was hurt and is in the nurses office.
There he was. Lying on the couch, ice on his face, bloody rag and all. After the school nurse did her checkup, it was time for us to go the big wigs! Hasbro children’s Hospital! We were immediately given a room. He was not making sense, falling asleep on & off and just kept saying he was dizzy. Long story short- after 5 hours we got our diagnosis. Concussion.
Over the next couple days we found out that concussions and sensory challenges are not friends. They amplify each other. They play a game of tag, both teaming up on each other and making the symptoms worse, all while you try and figure out which one to blame. He was more sensitive to sounds and light. He was overactive, then extremely lethargic. He was so emotional. Happy then sad, then angry then agitated all within minutes of each other. He slept until 10am most morning and wet the bed as well. Things he hasn’t done in over 3 months. Needless to say, the past 2 weeks were not fun. And he continues to have some of these effects 2 weeks later. But at least he is back in school this week. Even though school is only a mere 2 1/2 hours, I think the schedule will help him recover. We were beyond bored at home! He was not allowed to watch TV ( which we abbreviated to 1 1/2hours a day), no playgrounds, no running, no jumping, no bike riding, no sports, no nothing. I kept him busy with crafts, walks with the dogs, baking and shopping!
My son is a Rockstar. Even when the neighborhood boy came over asking to play, he never complained. Even when he wasn’t allowed to participate in his yellow belt karate ceremony he didn’t complain. Even when I said, “No” to the play-space he didn’t complain. He cracked jokes about his accident mere seconds after it happened. He has tested my patience these past 2 weeks. He has tested his own patience these past 2 weeks. The Rockstar in him is victorious! He really is just the best little man I know! He understood complaining about it wouldn’t make it any easier. Hopefully this week things will start to get better for my Rockstar, he needs a break! He’s been a trooper- a Rockstar!