By Nadine Briggs

As parents of adult children, finding the perfect holiday gifts can be a challenge. So, when the idea of Carrie Underwood concert tickets for our daughter, Megan, crossed our minds, we thought it was a brilliant plan. What could possibly go wrong? Megan, at 26, had never experienced a big concert before, and being a fan of country music and Carrie’s music, it seemed like a spectacular choice. To add to the excitement, we also bought her a pink jean jacket and matching cowboy boots to complete the look.

But as life often reminds us, things don’t always go as planned.

On Christmas morning, Megan unwrapped her gifts. She loved the boots and jacket. The blown-up ticket box was meant to create a dramatic effect, and initially, she liked the idea. However, that’s when the wheels in her mind began to turn…

And they kept turning and turning…

For those unfamiliar, Megan has Down syndrome, which comes with sensory sensitivities, particularly to loud noises. However, she adores music, and loud music usually doesn’t bother her, especially when she can sing along. Megan is a bright individual, fully aware of what attending a concert like this entails. She knew it would challenge her senses in ways she had not experienced before. As her parents, we were well aware of this too. We thought noise-canceling headphones would help since the tickets were for the “cheap seats,” providing some distance from the intensity of the sound. We planned to take the train to eliminate anxiety caused by traffic and long car rides. We knew it might all be too overwhelming, and we were prepared to leave or listen from the hallway if needed.

We also knew that Megan, now an adult who loves music, could have the time of her life if she could manage the sensory demands of the event.

However, what we didn’t anticipate was the intense anxiety that would consume her for the months leading up to the concert. Out of respect for her privacy, I won’t delve into the specific details of how her anxiety affected her daily life during that time. Let’s just say it seeped into her routine and affected her interactions with support staff. We found ourselves repeatedly questioning, “Could this be because of the concert?” Megan wasn’t quite herself, which usually indicates that anxiety has taken hold.

The only way to find out for sure was to see if her anxiety would ease once the concert had come and gone.

When the long-awaited day arrived, Megan proudly wore her snappy new jacket and matching cowboy boots as she hopped on the train, filled with excited anticipation. The day she had been envisioning for months was finally here.

And now, our story takes a turn towards a happy ending. Megan absolutely loved the concert and handled the sensory demands with grace. It did take a toll on her (and on us as her parents!), but in the end, it opened up a whole new world for her—an ability to face and conquer new experiences. Every time she overcomes her fears, she grows stronger and more fearless.

What’s next on the horizon? The Jonas Brothers! Our girl is now unstoppable and ready for whatever comes her way.

If your child/teen/young adult needs coaching to help them make friends, contact us to schedule a trial https://calendly.com/simplysocialkids/30min or find out more about our weekly programs by contacting us at 978-764-2758 or info@simplysocialkids.com.