Learning to walk at 5 years old.

Most children with Down syndrome walk between the ages of 2-4. Jay is very delayed even compared to those with Down syndrome. The stubbornness and tenacity that has kept him alive through his sickest years have also hindered him in areas such as walking and sitting. He didn't sit up until he was 21 months old because every time we sat him up he would throw himself backwards. The same goes for walking. Every time we stand him up he throws a fit and picks up his legs or arches himself backwards. Jay turned five in September and I finally feel like we are making progress. He is now pulling himself into the standing position and he can climb up onto things now. He will walk when we hold both of his hands and we are working on walking side by side holding only one hand. Every day he walks up and down the street in his walker. I feel like we are finally making progress but still have a ways to go. I have had a number of dreams where I see Jay walking or take off walking and I cry with joy. He starts kindergarten in August and what a blessing it would be for him to walk into his class. He has been in physical therapy for years and we are now doing treadmill training. It teaches him to use the right gait when he is walking. So many children with Down syndrome duck walk and the treadmill training teaches him to keep his feet straight and pull his legs forward and back in the correct motion. Exciting times ahead for Jay! Hopefully 2018 we will have a Jaywalker!