We went to the park today. It is a simple and endless joy for me to watch Amichai run around. As with most kids, the playground seems to be a place to foster imagination and freedom for Amichai. He’s always playing out some superhero scene in his head as he races around the park, one arm extended, yelling – to the rescue!

The playground though can also be a place of challenge for Amichai. Ladders, swings, climbing ropes – Amichai is up for anything but he does need some assistance at times. I must admit, even if Amichai did not need my help, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) I inherited my father’s overprotective genes (nothing is ever safe enough for him…even as adults, my father still has a habit of telling us to slow down and be careful when running down the stairs)…so CP or not, I would naturally be close by his side… just in case.

Often times, I end up holding Amichai’s hips and stabilizing him as he makes his way up the ladder. I always have a hand on his back as he grips the ropes and I help him open his hand to hold onto the swing.

Today, as I was helping Amichai up the ladder another little kid was getting impatient. Why is he taking so long? I told him Amichai was almost at the top. How old is he? I told him that Amichai is four. I’m three, I can do it by myself – he can’t. Whoa whoa – did he just say my son can’t do something? Wrong word.

If there is one word that gets me going it is can’t. Whether its something serious or small, the best way to get me to do anything is to simply bet that I can’t. I once wore my mother’s unbelievably extravagant fur coat to the supermarket because my sister bet me that I couldn’t do it. Beyond ridiculous supermarket excursions, I’ve certainly experienced the tremendous feeling of accomplishment when you resolve to do something important and worthy. There is no backing down, and there is no substitute for the power of one’s determination. My mission is to help Amichai see that, to understand that, and to execute it in everything he does. I can and I will – that’s our motto.

At the same time, my mission is also to protect Amichai at this young stage of his life. I think any parent is sensitive to this, but I also feel a heightened need to protect him from potential naysayers. Of course the long term goal is actually to teach Amichai how to protect and defend himself if the occasion arises, but at four years old – this is still in my realm of responsibility. If someone is bothering my son, telling him he can’t do something – instinctively I have to protect him, I have to defend him – I have to say something. So, where to start with this kid?

But, as I thought about an appropriate response, Amichai just kept climbing – patiently and calmly as he had practiced so many times in his PT sessions. When I saw him take the last step up, I realized that Amichai wasn’t even paying any attention to this kid. He was just focused on the task at hand. Amichai ignored the noise and simply carried on. He relied on his own instincts that told him to push forward and tune the rest out. Amichai didn’t need me to defend him or answer for him – he did that on his own – silently, modestly, and with great determination. I can and I will.

Drop the mic.