"But It's So Hard, Mommy"

For almost all eight years I've written this blog, I've focused on Jordan's health. Everything I do is focused on making sure she is strong mentally and physically. That's why we've made a glorious return to occupational therapy to prevent periodic shoulder pain. Our recent appointments have shown Jordan's left shoulder blade is weak and it could be to blame for some of her recent clavicle pain. Her shoulder also has some slight separation as well.Jordan has ALWAYS been a piece of work during occupational and physical therapy appointments. Always. She acts goofy, she half listens, she challenges the therapist to the core. It's a big reason why I worked with the same OT for most of Jordan's life. She figured out how to deal with Jordan most of the time. Our new therapist is dealing with all of those personality challenges without the history. We're trying really hard to make the most out of the hour we see her each week.During this week's appointment, Jordan was introduced to four new yoga exercises. Initially she was really excited because I often talk about how yoga is a great exercise. Now that the helper arm is back in play, we were able to work on some exercises that were really challenging. They hurt. The exercises required attention, focus and using muscles in ways that hurt Jordan. Not end-of-the-world hurt, but enough that it wasn't fun. Not. One. Bit.Trying to get Jordan to participate and learn the positions enough times for her and I to understand what was expected was a bit taxing. Jordan wanted to play and working hard during therapy isn't fun.But we did it. We survived another appointment.As we drove away, I asked Jordan if she understood why we go to occupational therapy. She said she didn't know, even though we talked about it a few weeks ago. So I told her about limb different teenagers and adults I've met who have chronic pain. Others I know who deal with pain if they don't exercise often enough. I explained to Jordan that my goal as her mom is to help her learn ways to stay strong and do whatever we can to prevent her from hurting a lot. A little bit of work can stop a lot of hurt when she's older.

"But it's so hard, Mommy."

Oh, my heart. I know, Baby. I reminded Jordan how a year ago, she couldn't even run a couple of blocks with me. But we've worked and worked and she ran a whole mile without stopping with me last week. It took effort and hard work, but it got easier. I promised her that it will get easier.That's when she asked me what I did when I had to do yoga when I was little. And I had to explain that I didn't have to do exercises like that when I was little. I have a different body... And I don't know what it's like to know that I have to work hard just to make sure I'm not in pain when I get older. But I promised her, and I mean this: I will be her cheerleader and helper every step of the way. This hard work will be worth it. It will.