The “Cat” Turns Cuddly

It’s a stereotype that people with Down syndrome are affectionate and cuddly and always smiling. While Leo certainly has his share of unpleasant moods, I’ll concede that he’s more likely to be happy than upset. Yup, Leo’s “default setting” is definitely happy.

And yes he’s quick to hug the waitress, the parking attendant, the doctor who administers the shot, but in terms of real physical affection, I’ve always thought of Leo as similar to cat in that he decides when to be affectionate. And when he's done, he's done. He'll arch his back, swat with his hand and turn up his nose (the only problem with this comparison is that I am not crazy about cats).

Leo loves to give hugs when he wants to. But he’s never been much of a cuddler, he’s too much on the move. Except for when he’s sleeping, eating, or watching his beloved “Dora” or “Diego,” Leo is in almost constant motion. He’s squirming in his chair. He’s flapping his arms. He’s kicking his legs. He's jumping from the coffee table to the couch (and no, he's not allowed to do this).

But there’s a new development in recent weeks. Leo has become a cuddler. Gone (mostly) are the days of him shooing you away when you go to rub his back or put your arm around him. He’s hinted that he was moving in this direction for a few months now but he never “tolerated” that closeness for more than a few minutes. Now, he’ll cuddle for book after book.

Last night, as I read one of Leo’s favorite Mickey Mouse Little Golden Books, he jumped onto the bed, crawled into my lap and proceeded to arrange my arms where he wanted them, which happened to be wrapped around his little warm body. He squirmed a little (I told you, he is always in motion) but he was quieter than I think he’s ever been for a bedtime book reading.

I am fascinated, challenged and yes, sometimes frustrated by the amount of energy Leo has. He definitely does have a certain kind of joie de vivre. But I can't tell you the simple joy there is in just sitting with Leo, holding him and listening to his raspy little breath, feeling his chubby little hands on my leg, watching him flip the pages of another and another Mickey book.

This is my kind of milestone.