Teen discovers passion for theatre
By Anchel Krisna
“What are her interests?” As a parent, I’ve been asked this about my daughter, Syona (above centre), more times than I can count.
Syona is almost 14 and has cerebral palsy. She is a wheelchair user and requires assistance with most activities. This very valid question helps her therapists, educators and those who support her connect with her and understand what to talk to her about.
Over the years, it’s been a tough one to answer. When she was younger, we exposed Syona to as many activities as we could find, eventually exploring adapted versions of activities. But over the years, our exploration dwindled due to her age, competing life priorities and eventually the pandemic.
Syona doesn’t watch TV and she can’t read in the traditional sense. We’ve tried audiobooks but they generally don’t capture her interest. She tried online art classes but between the fine motor challenges and her visual processing disorder, it wasn’t sustainable.
There have been times where the guilt I’ve felt about not doing more to help her figure out her interests is crushing.
But as with most things, Syona, has discovered some interests on her own schedule. Since she was young, she has always loved music. A couple of years ago, a caregiver introduced Syona to Taylor Swift. Since that time she’s become a super Swiftie, fervently listening to new releases and Taylor’s version of all of her favourite songs. While she doesn’t watch TV, we can play the Eras Tour film in the background and she will happily enter into conversations about anything related to Taylor Swift.
Syona has also recently been able to successfully use her iPad to text and Facetime people. She’s always been a social kiddo, and as she gets older, friendships are hard to come by. But using technology provides her with some social connections, which she craves and we try to foster.
This past year, Syona came home one day and announced she was trying out for her school musical. Over the course of a few weeks, she combined her social and musical interests and auditioned for her school musical, landing a speaking role as a bill collector that appeared in a few scenes.
Her school and school team worked so hard to make it accessible and possible for her. And this interest sparked a sense of independence, pride and responsibility that we hadn’t seen before. She learned her lines, practicing them at school and at home. She managed the rehearsal schedule, and communicating after-school rehearsal and driving needs to us.
And she performed really well, which we celebrated post-performance with Thai food, cupcakes and flowers, all at the request of our budding actress. Seeing her dedication made my heart full and seeing her flourish at this sense of purpose fueled her self-esteem, prompting her to continue trying new things.
Over the last few years I’ve learned that I won’t be the one who discovers Syona’s interests. It will be her. And they will evolve and grow over time. Like so many things on our journey this one has been about my growth, learning and navigating that fine line between letting go and enabling access.
So the next time someone asks me “What are her interests?” my response will be to proudly say “You’re best to ask Syona.”
Like this content? Sign up for our monthly BLOOM e-letter, follow @LouiseKinross on Twitter, or watch our A Family Like Mine video series.
