The large bulky sensory chair sat in a prime position in our family room for a number of years, providing hours of comfort for young Micah. Sturdy enough to withstand intense rocking, but also comfortable enough to allow him to snuggle in with blankets for quiet time, it was an invaluable ally in the quest to keep Micah content and regulated.
I cannot recall when he began to avoid time in the chair, instead choosing other pieces of furniture to sit or rest on. It may have been about the same time he no longer wanted to ride my horse Ellie. That occurred during his growth spurt when his little boy body morphed into the tall man he is today. During that time of rapid development he did not seem to find comfort in the same sensory experiences that used to soothe him. After weeks of little use, the bulky chair was moved to the guest room where it basically was used as a storage spot for blankets and clothing waiting to be put away.
Given the amount of space it took up, I finally decided that it might be best to try to find another home for the chair. My hope was that some other child with sensory needs might benefit from this chunky chair made of indestructible materials. An ad was placed and contact was made with Amy, the mother of two children with autism. Amy shared that her daughter, in particular, was in need of a sensory chair that could not be dismantled or destroyed. I told her I was quite sure Micah’s chair would meet her needs and we set a time for her to come and see it. What I did not anticipate was my instant bond with this mother of two. As she shared about her children and how she and her husband do life balancing the needs of two children with autism, I was filled with respect for how she and her husband are meeting the needs of their children. I have certainly struggled with balancing life with one son with autism while trying to work and meet the needs of of my family, I cannot fathom the challenges with two children on the autism spectrum. I found myself encouraging Amy to try to find some respite as she and her husband work different shifts so that one of them can be with their children. However, I totally understood when she shook her head and basically said that was a goal, but easier said then done.
As we hefted the heavy chair into the back of her truck we probably looked like an odd team; two women doing the best we could to secure it in place before the predicted snow storm could impact her trip home with her sensory treasure . Later that evening I was delighted to receive a photo of her daughter rocking life in her new comfort chair. The photo was an unexpected gift from another mom bound to me by our experiences with autism.
Jan Lessard Peightell November 24, 2023