The Beauty of Friends

As a pediatric physical therapist I see a broad spectrum of abilities. Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida...the list goes on. Some of my kiddos walk independently, some can't and may never walk. Varying levels of abilities. These little guys very rarely reduce me to tears. That does not make me a big fat meanie. It's not my job to feel badly for them. It's my job to help them develop their strengths and function their absolute best and that's what I do. With a smile on my face and arms that are always willing to give a hug or a hand up. But today...today was a reach for the kleenex kind of day. And not because of why you might think. Today I got to witness a very genuine, very sweet moment between two friends. The two girls I was working with are five and seven and are both blind. The Orientation/Mobility specialist and I were doing a gross motor game with the two of them. The older child was being the "human guide" for the younger one. They were doing so great and were really excited. They started moving too fast and before we could get a hand in there to prevent it the younger girl ran into a chair. With her face...OW! (I assure you she was not injured, it was a bump that didn't leave a mark. I promise she was fine!) The little one started to cry. The O and M specialist was consoling her and making sure she was okay. I looked at the other girl and realized she was crying too. Harder than the one who'd been run into the chair! She felt awful for hurting her friend. The adults assured the small ones that everything was okay. No one was mortally wounded, all was well. Once most of the tears were dry the older child turned to the younger to apologize. They fell in to each other's arms and cried again. Kisses were given, "I'm so sorry I hurt you!" was said...it was so sweet and so very heartfelt. I admit the adults in the room, the mean hardened therapists, had to reach for tissues along with the girls. It was so beautiful. And not because these girls have disabilities but because it was such a real moment. If only adults could solve their problems so easily...