Mario Kart

Back when Michael wrote this journal entry, he said that Will taught him to play Mario Kart, but really, he mostly watched Will play. Will invited and included him, but Mikey didn’t really have the understanding or ability to actually play the game yet.  

There it is, my favorite word…YET. Will was right to include Mikey! He was showing Mikey how to play. Even that is a social experience for Michael and it meant the world to him…you can see it on his face, but he really couldn’t play the game.

Flash forward to a Few Months Ago

That’s right, 2-for-1 deal: a journal entry with a bonus Flash Forward Friday. I got an e-mail from Mikey early in the school year. He is practicing telling us about his school day by sending us e-mails (next we’re moving on to texts and facetiming). It said, “Mom, I played Mario Kart with my friends. Love, Mikey.” 

See Why I Love ‘YET’?

Michael goes to a special school for kids with Autism. They do many activities that you might not find at a typical school. They use things like Mario Kart for rewards, but also for socialization. It turns out, all these years later, that he CAN do it!  

I’m having a major ‘proud momma’ moment for both of my boys right now: pride in Will for being inclusive and having faith in Mikey; pride in Mikey for continuing to show the world what he can do. Go get ‘em, Mauro boys!!