Saturday, July 17, 2010

Escape Artist

If you have small children you might read the title of this post and think "I know what you are talking about." However, if you have a child with Down syndrome...you might be right along with me trying to figure out what to do with your little Houdini.

Nichole is a runner. If there is open space before her, she will take off. I don't think she has any place in mind to go to, she just likes to go. We have even tried those cute little backpacks with a leash but she gets so mad about wearing them that it is better to just hold her.

The problem with holding Nichole (holding her in our arms or holding her hand) is that she has a superpower. Her super ability is what I call "noodling." It is best described by saying that all of her limbs can and will be transformed into a wet noodle and she escapes anyone's grasp!

Once Nichole noodles herself, she is gone, she takes off! Lately, she will try to the best of her ability to find "outside" and take off, and she will use "noodling" if she has to.

We are currently in Montana visiting Andy's family. Just a few days ago my mother and I were in the basement and she was helping me spray the girl's bed (night time accident.) We were in the room...I don't know, maybe 3 minutes? Nichole was dancing and singing to barbie princess and he Pauper but I realized I could not hear her anymore. I went to the family room and she was not there. I ran up the stairs hoping to find her in the living room or doing play-doh with her sisters...not there.

"Have you seen Nichole?" I asked Ellie while looking outside the window.

Right OUTSIDE Nichole was climbing down the curb and taking off running down the street! I am not a runner, but oh boy did I run fast! Yelling, "NOOOOOO!!! NICHOLE STOP!!!!!"

She saw me, but it did not face her. Oh did she get in trouble! She cried when she realized how scared I was, and I was scared, what if I had not checked on her? what if she had not been in view as I looked outside the window?

My little escape artist, one more nickname to add to the many she has had...

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:15 PM

    YIKES!!!!!!!! How scary! I will be counting two extra blessing tonight...one, that Lucy LOVES her pink puppy backpack/harness and two, that she is NOT a runner!

    Glad everyone is safe and sound!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nicole Jones11:39 PM

    Ellen,
    Something we have had to do is put those childproof covers on our door knobs. Isaac is our escape artist and loves being outside, any chance he gets he is out. While Jon despises the little knob covers, they make it impossible for Isaac to open the doors. I know that doesn't help if you are anywhere but home, but it is a start. Also on the little back-pack harnesses, try this since she doesn't like it. The little pocket that is on the animal, it zips on most, show her that there is a treat in the pocket and if she wears it without fighting, when it is time to take it off, she can have the treat. That may be harder with Nichole but may be worth a try to help her get used to having it on.
    Hope that helps!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I SO hear you! Ana is like that too and it's so hard to keep her when she is focused on any distraction that has her attention. Those little hands seem to have the bones melt away and she just slips right out of your grip.

    ...empathy from this corner =).

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's so hard to travel with kids esp if they have special needs! I can't believe we made it through our weekend in WI w/o MJ falling down the basement stairs. They open right into the main living area and there's no door or anything. Child proofing really only works at home. So glad you saw her!

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  5. I know how you feel. I have a 6 year old son with Down Syndrome, and he was the same way when it came to those backpacks with leash. Jut hated it, so I gave up on that. Left the house one day when we were packing for move and walked down the street to the playground. I was scared to death, and ever since then he has to be in my sight if we are somewhere in public. He is so friendly and he will walk up to anybody and say "hi" and hug them. I just keep saying hopefuly he will outgrow the urge wanting to run everywhere and just walk nicely in the grocery store. One day...

    ReplyDelete

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