Cross Country Max...

Max finished his week with another race to run.  Again, Super Daddy tried to keep up with Max's super speed.  Steve likes to tell the kids he runs behind Max to make sure he's got someone there at the finish line...he just hopes he can keep up with how fast Max goes. 

This race was the district wide elementary school cross country meet.  It had rained all day and night the day before, and I wasn't so sure Max was going to be able to make it.  But, the skies cleared just long enough for Max to join in the fun. 

Max's race was for the special needs kids in the district.  There were a few wheelchair racers, and the rest were all levels of physical capability.  Max's PE teacher organized the meet, and asked if Max would like to come along and join in the fun as part of the group from his elementary school. 

The whole meet came to a halt for this special race.  All the athletes lined the straight course and clapped and cheered these special athletes on.  I took pictures of all the racers, and while I'm not sharing them here, because I don't know the runners or their parents to ask permission, the photos make me so happy.  What I see in every one of their faces is a feeling of being included.  They were PROUD!  They were happy.  And on every parent's face I saw what my heart was feeling. . ."you have no idea what a big deal this is."

For the kids whose gait was a little disorganized, I smiled for their parents, knowing there was a time they never knew if their child would walk...and here they are RUNNING in a RACE!  For the ones in a wheelchair, I thought, they get to be a part of the rest of the kids' activities, they are not left out here. For the kids with sensory issues, as they covered their ears at all the cheering, I joined their families in giving the sign for applause.  

We live in an incredibly inclusive town.  One I'm so grateful to be raising Max and Abbey in.  And we are realizing with each activity just how very much we're going to miss Max's elementary school next year.  Max's principal was on the side cheering him and his classmates on.  His PE teacher ran along side him the whole length of the race cheering him on.  His classmates and their parents cheered the loudest when he passed by.  I got as many photos as I could in all the excitement and cheering.  I have to take advantage of being the cheering mom when I can!  I was so proud of him!

He got a medal at the end of the race!

That muddy grass was not so great with his wheelchairs.  We're going to ask him if he enjoys running and really look into a proper running wheelchair. 

Max and his medal after the race. 

After his race, we went to the halfway point of the course to watch the 5th grade girls, and 5th grade boys race.  He helped me ring the bell and cheer on his classmates.  He liked it when we would call out his friends' names.   We left shortly after the boys finished their race, and came home where he promptly fell asleep from all the fun!