There is something about a relationship between a sibling and their special needs brother or sister. The way Vincent is with Dominic is nothing more than amazing. The way he looks at him, speaks to him, and shows him unconditional love. He strives to make his brother feel safe and protected and also pushes him to grow. He challenges him to do better and to accept the unexpected.
Today, Vince and Dominic went to a water park with Dom’s aide. Dominic is usually pretty successful at them but this was one of the first times with out Ed and me by his side. This was also a new park that he had never attended. I received pictures of the boys through text and could see the pure joy they were having. I responded that I loved them and to be safe. They had a fabulous time but it didn’t come out until later that we learned about a valuable interaction that occurred on the trip.
Vince and I went shopping and we were talking in the car. He told me about the water park and how some of the slides were more intense then others. Then he told me that he wasn’t prepared for the “rest period” whistles with Dominic. Vincent has been to other places with rest periods but Dominic has not. He told me they were in a line almost to the top to go down the slide when all the life guards started to blow their whistles.
While Vince is telling me this story, I am already feeling my chest get tight and waiting for what happened next. Vince said Dom was not prepared and quickly put his hands over his hears. He said he had to coax Dominic to go down the stairs and redirect him before a huge meltdown. I think about the line of kids and how simple it was for many of them to walk down the stairs with understanding. Here was my oldest son working with his brother to make him feel safe around the loud noises, the disappointment of not going down the slide, and the fear of going down with the mass of kids rushing down.
I am in awe with the explanation Vincent gave to us on how he made the situation calm and redirected Dominic. I look at both of my sons and thank God for having both of them and their unconditional love.
I will never be able to explain their relationship in words but will always value their love for eachother.
