Today was Sweet G's short therapy day when he only sees his physical therapist, AKA "the mean woman." G loves her dearly and because of that she bears the brunt of his jokes and abuse. Her job and what it requires G to do is the most difficult physically of all his therapy. G's legs are the most affected by his cerebral palsy, therefore that is the most difficult and taxing on his body.
Therapy has been ramped up, so to speak, since his tendon lengthening surgery. We are requiring much more from him and he is seeing his PT twice a week instead of once. The surgery has given G so much more range of motion and has eliminated the muscles fighting each other for control. It sort of evened out his muscle tone by lengthening and therefore weakening muscles that have been stretched tight preventing normal movement.
As I wrote in my post a couple of days ago, G has made remarkable progress lately. Today I asked his therapist if we could try him on a bike the clinic has. The bike is a regular bike but has these amazing training wheels that give it perfect stability like a trike. We thought that by adding straps to the pedals and changing the seat to something with a back and straps it might work. Boy were we ever wrong! We put G on the bike, he sat up and said, "Let go, I can do it all by myself." He had no problem balancing on the regular seat or keeping his feet on the pedals. There was a problem with making it go. His trike is adapted to become hand cranked and he has recently learned to ride his plasma car which propels when you wiggle the steering wheel back and forth so it took us reminding him a few times that wiggling the handlebars does not make it go. He did try so hard to make it move. We were shocked when he stood up on the bike and started saying, "I'm a big man and I can stand up by myself." As if those things weren't enough he had to kick things up another notch when we were about to dismount the bike. I noticed that he only had his hands lightly placed on the handlebar so his therapist asked him if he could clap for himself. He steadied himself, took his hands off for a brief second a couple of times and then he took them off completely and gave himself a round of applause. There were a lot of happy people in that gym today.
So, I bet you can't guess where we went when therapy was over! If you guessed a bike shop a mere three blocks from therapy you are right. I thought that might be best since he kept insisting we borrow the one from the clinic. When I told him we couldn't he replied simply, "We can bring it back before anyone misses it." After all every little boy needs a bike.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Just What Every Little Boy Needs
Today was Sweet G's short therapy day when he only sees his physical therapist, AKA "the mean woman." G loves her dearly and because of that she bears the brunt of his jokes and abuse. Her job and what it requires G to do is the most difficult physically of all his therapy. G's legs are the most affected by his cerebral palsy, therefore that is the most difficult and taxing on his body.
Therapy has been ramped up, so to speak, since his tendon lengthening surgery. We are requiring much more from him and he is seeing his PT twice a week instead of once. The surgery has given G so much more range of motion and has eliminated the muscles fighting each other for control. It sort of evened out his muscle tone by lengthening and therefore weakening muscles that have been stretched tight preventing normal movement.
As I wrote in my post a couple of days ago, G has made remarkable progress lately. Today I asked his therapist if we could try him on a bike the clinic has. The bike is a regular bike but has these amazing training wheels that give it perfect stability like a trike. We thought that by adding straps to the pedals and changing the seat to something with a back and straps it might work. Boy were we ever wrong! We put G on the bike, he sat up and said, "Let go, I can do it all by myself." He had no problem balancing on the regular seat or keeping his feet on the pedals. There was a problem with making it go. His trike is adapted to become hand cranked and he has recently learned to ride his plasma car which propels when you wiggle the steering wheel back and forth so it took us reminding him a few times that wiggling the handlebars does not make it go. He did try so hard to make it move. We were shocked when he stood up on the bike and started saying, "I'm a big man and I can stand up by myself." As if those things weren't enough he had to kick things up another notch when we were about to dismount the bike. I noticed that he only had his hands lightly placed on the handlebar so his therapist asked him if he could clap for himself. He steadied himself, took his hands off for a brief second a couple of times and then he took them off completely and gave himself a round of applause. There were a lot of happy people in that gym today.
So, I bet you can't guess where we went when therapy was over! If you guessed a bike shop a mere three blocks from therapy you are right. I thought that might be best since he kept insisting we borrow the one from the clinic. When I told him we couldn't he replied simply, "We can bring it back before anyone misses it." After all every little boy needs a bike.
Therapy has been ramped up, so to speak, since his tendon lengthening surgery. We are requiring much more from him and he is seeing his PT twice a week instead of once. The surgery has given G so much more range of motion and has eliminated the muscles fighting each other for control. It sort of evened out his muscle tone by lengthening and therefore weakening muscles that have been stretched tight preventing normal movement.
As I wrote in my post a couple of days ago, G has made remarkable progress lately. Today I asked his therapist if we could try him on a bike the clinic has. The bike is a regular bike but has these amazing training wheels that give it perfect stability like a trike. We thought that by adding straps to the pedals and changing the seat to something with a back and straps it might work. Boy were we ever wrong! We put G on the bike, he sat up and said, "Let go, I can do it all by myself." He had no problem balancing on the regular seat or keeping his feet on the pedals. There was a problem with making it go. His trike is adapted to become hand cranked and he has recently learned to ride his plasma car which propels when you wiggle the steering wheel back and forth so it took us reminding him a few times that wiggling the handlebars does not make it go. He did try so hard to make it move. We were shocked when he stood up on the bike and started saying, "I'm a big man and I can stand up by myself." As if those things weren't enough he had to kick things up another notch when we were about to dismount the bike. I noticed that he only had his hands lightly placed on the handlebar so his therapist asked him if he could clap for himself. He steadied himself, took his hands off for a brief second a couple of times and then he took them off completely and gave himself a round of applause. There were a lot of happy people in that gym today.
So, I bet you can't guess where we went when therapy was over! If you guessed a bike shop a mere three blocks from therapy you are right. I thought that might be best since he kept insisting we borrow the one from the clinic. When I told him we couldn't he replied simply, "We can bring it back before anyone misses it." After all every little boy needs a bike.
Triathalon
Recently Sweet G participated in a triathalon for kids that is held annually in or hometown. It was a very tiring but wonderful experience for us all. Typically the kids do everything independently but they have a special heat for children with disabilities and they are allowed any assistance necessary. For Sweet G that included someone to swim with him; someone to transfer him dripping wet into his wheelchair; someone to dry him and put his race shirt, socks, AFOs, and shoes on his still damp body; someone to wheel him through a crowd of cheering spectators; someone to put him onto his trike, and put his helment on; someone to walk alongside him and steer the trike as he hand pedaled; someone to carry his walker to a designated spot on the running course; someone to transfer him from the trike back into the wheelchair; someone to run while pushing him; someone to help him transfer out of his chair and into his walker for the last few yards of the run; and someone to cheer him on when he crossed the finish line.
For G there were several someones. A therapist swam with him, his Dad picked him up out of the pool, his brother along with his Dad and I dried him and dressed him, his Dad pushed him through the screaming fans as his brother and I followed, Dad put him on the trike, we all took turns helping him guide the trike, I carried the walker to the designated spot, Dad transferred him to his chair, his brother loaded the trike in the car, his physical therapist pushed him through the run and transferred him to his walker so he could finish the race independently, and we were all there (along with many others) cheering as a proud little boy crossed the finish line. His biggest concerns during the race were if his brother captured him "drowning" (face going underwater) on video and trying to find out what kind of snacks Ms. Beth had waiting at the finish line. That boy is a corker.
When it was all over and we were driving away he said, "Well, I guess I won that one." I suppose he forgot being passed by a little girl on the bike portion and the girl going around him two yards short of the finish line! Everyone in his heat received medals which is probably why he thinks he won and afterall it is appropriate since they are all champions.
For G there were several someones. A therapist swam with him, his Dad picked him up out of the pool, his brother along with his Dad and I dried him and dressed him, his Dad pushed him through the screaming fans as his brother and I followed, Dad put him on the trike, we all took turns helping him guide the trike, I carried the walker to the designated spot, Dad transferred him to his chair, his brother loaded the trike in the car, his physical therapist pushed him through the run and transferred him to his walker so he could finish the race independently, and we were all there (along with many others) cheering as a proud little boy crossed the finish line. His biggest concerns during the race were if his brother captured him "drowning" (face going underwater) on video and trying to find out what kind of snacks Ms. Beth had waiting at the finish line. That boy is a corker.
When it was all over and we were driving away he said, "Well, I guess I won that one." I suppose he forgot being passed by a little girl on the bike portion and the girl going around him two yards short of the finish line! Everyone in his heat received medals which is probably why he thinks he won and afterall it is appropriate since they are all champions.
Triathalon
Recently Sweet G participated in a triathalon for kids that is held annually in or hometown. It was a very tiring but wonderful experience for us all. Typically the kids do everything independently but they have a special heat for children with disabilities and they are allowed any assistance necessary. For Sweet G that included someone to swim with him; someone to transfer him dripping wet into his wheelchair; someone to dry him and put his race shirt, socks, AFOs, and shoes on his still damp body; someone to wheel him through a crowd of cheering spectators; someone to put him onto his trike, and put his helment on; someone to walk alongside him and steer the trike as he hand pedaled; someone to carry his walker to a designated spot on the running course; someone to transfer him from the trike back into the wheelchair; someone to run while pushing him; someone to help him transfer out of his chair and into his walker for the last few yards of the run; and someone to cheer him on when he crossed the finish line.
For G there were several someones. A therapist swam with him, his Dad picked him up out of the pool, his brother along with his Dad and I dried him and dressed him, his Dad pushed him through the screaming fans as his brother and I followed, Dad put him on the trike, we all took turns helping him guide the trike, I carried the walker to the designated spot, Dad transferred him to his chair, his brother loaded the trike in the car, his physical therapist pushed him through the run and transferred him to his walker so he could finish the race independently, and we were all there (along with many others) cheering as a proud little boy crossed the finish line. His biggest concerns during the race were if his brother captured him "drowning" (face going underwater) on video and trying to find out what kind of snacks Ms. Beth had waiting at the finish line. That boy is a corker.
When it was all over and we were driving away he said, "Well, I guess I won that one." I suppose he forgot being passed by a little girl on the bike portion and the girl going around him two yards short of the finish line! Everyone in his heat received medals which is probably why he thinks he won and afterall it is appropriate since they are all champions.
For G there were several someones. A therapist swam with him, his Dad picked him up out of the pool, his brother along with his Dad and I dried him and dressed him, his Dad pushed him through the screaming fans as his brother and I followed, Dad put him on the trike, we all took turns helping him guide the trike, I carried the walker to the designated spot, Dad transferred him to his chair, his brother loaded the trike in the car, his physical therapist pushed him through the run and transferred him to his walker so he could finish the race independently, and we were all there (along with many others) cheering as a proud little boy crossed the finish line. His biggest concerns during the race were if his brother captured him "drowning" (face going underwater) on video and trying to find out what kind of snacks Ms. Beth had waiting at the finish line. That boy is a corker.
When it was all over and we were driving away he said, "Well, I guess I won that one." I suppose he forgot being passed by a little girl on the bike portion and the girl going around him two yards short of the finish line! Everyone in his heat received medals which is probably why he thinks he won and afterall it is appropriate since they are all champions.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
New Accomplishments
You never get over the feeling of seeing your child stand alone for the first time. You know that once they have confidence in their ability to balance the next step will be walking. My oldest son started standing for brief amounts of time when he was around eight months old. This is pretty typical of most children. My youngest son, Sweet G, just started trying to stand alone yesterday. He is eight years old but the excitement of those achievements was the same for this Momma.
Physical milestones have all come late for Sweet G because of his cerebral palsy. There have been times when we questioned whether he would ever sit up alone or walk with the use of a walker. Doctors and therapists had no way of answering our questions or relieving our fears. We were told that only time would tell. Each case is different. Most of the time there have been no answers.
We are only now beginning to get some answers about Sweet G's potential. Years of therapy and waiting have passed. His bones finally outgrew his muscles and he received tendon lengthening surgery to return the range of motion to his legs. We survived six weeks of full leg casts along with a twenty-six inch bar separating his feet. He has now been in therapy for several weeks and we are beginning to see miraculous improvement.
A couple of weeks ago Swwet G spent close to an hour chasing me around the house in his walker. He lives to chase me and try to run me over. This week we spent some time working on standing from a sitting position without using his arms to pull himself up. This is very difficult for G but as always he didn't complain but took the challenge and wouldn't stop until he was satisfied he had done his best. He also has been practicing kicking a ball which he really enjoys.
Yesterday we worked on lifting his feet off the floor one at a time with the goal of getting his foot as high as he can. I was shocked when I saw how high he was able to lift his feet so I measured the distance. He is able to raise his right foot 6 inches off the floor and his left foot between 4 and 5 inches off the floor. His confidence is really building and I am so optimistic about his future achievements.
Last night I had him attempt standing on his own with no support. This is very scary for Sweet G. Fear has been his biggest obstacle and I am beginning to see him overcome his fear and take chances. He finally stood unsupported for a few seconds at a time. He didn't even do his usual whining and complaining. It was a dare and he was determined to show me he could do it.
I have also been requiring G to use his walker exclusively to get around the house. I rarely carry him anymore. (Now if I can break J and T from picking him up!) I have seen such improvement in his speed, his accuracy, and his motivation since beginning this new routine. We are also working on him being independent in getting onto the sofa. This is another area that has surprised me. He can now go from his walker to the sofa with mostly just verbal prompts from me.
I am one proud Momma. I have had a week filled with amazing firsts. I feel like a brand new Momma feels the first time her child reaches these same milestones only I know from years of waiting what an amazing miracle I am witnessing with each new feat. My Sweet G is amazing and I can't wait to see what new things he comes up with next.
Physical milestones have all come late for Sweet G because of his cerebral palsy. There have been times when we questioned whether he would ever sit up alone or walk with the use of a walker. Doctors and therapists had no way of answering our questions or relieving our fears. We were told that only time would tell. Each case is different. Most of the time there have been no answers.
We are only now beginning to get some answers about Sweet G's potential. Years of therapy and waiting have passed. His bones finally outgrew his muscles and he received tendon lengthening surgery to return the range of motion to his legs. We survived six weeks of full leg casts along with a twenty-six inch bar separating his feet. He has now been in therapy for several weeks and we are beginning to see miraculous improvement.
A couple of weeks ago Swwet G spent close to an hour chasing me around the house in his walker. He lives to chase me and try to run me over. This week we spent some time working on standing from a sitting position without using his arms to pull himself up. This is very difficult for G but as always he didn't complain but took the challenge and wouldn't stop until he was satisfied he had done his best. He also has been practicing kicking a ball which he really enjoys.
Yesterday we worked on lifting his feet off the floor one at a time with the goal of getting his foot as high as he can. I was shocked when I saw how high he was able to lift his feet so I measured the distance. He is able to raise his right foot 6 inches off the floor and his left foot between 4 and 5 inches off the floor. His confidence is really building and I am so optimistic about his future achievements.
Last night I had him attempt standing on his own with no support. This is very scary for Sweet G. Fear has been his biggest obstacle and I am beginning to see him overcome his fear and take chances. He finally stood unsupported for a few seconds at a time. He didn't even do his usual whining and complaining. It was a dare and he was determined to show me he could do it.
I have also been requiring G to use his walker exclusively to get around the house. I rarely carry him anymore. (Now if I can break J and T from picking him up!) I have seen such improvement in his speed, his accuracy, and his motivation since beginning this new routine. We are also working on him being independent in getting onto the sofa. This is another area that has surprised me. He can now go from his walker to the sofa with mostly just verbal prompts from me.
I am one proud Momma. I have had a week filled with amazing firsts. I feel like a brand new Momma feels the first time her child reaches these same milestones only I know from years of waiting what an amazing miracle I am witnessing with each new feat. My Sweet G is amazing and I can't wait to see what new things he comes up with next.
New Accomplishments
You never get over the feeling of seeing your child stand alone for the first time. You know that once they have confidence in their ability to balance the next step will be walking. My oldest son started standing for brief amounts of time when he was around eight months old. This is pretty typical of most children. My youngest son, Sweet G, just started trying to stand alone yesterday. He is eight years old but the excitement of those achievements was the same for this Momma.
Physical milestones have all come late for Sweet G because of his cerebral palsy. There have been times when we questioned whether he would ever sit up alone or walk with the use of a walker. Doctors and therapists had no way of answering our questions or relieving our fears. We were told that only time would tell. Each case is different. Most of the time there have been no answers.
We are only now beginning to get some answers about Sweet G's potential. Years of therapy and waiting have passed. His bones finally outgrew his muscles and he received tendon lengthening surgery to return the range of motion to his legs. We survived six weeks of full leg casts along with a twenty-six inch bar separating his feet. He has now been in therapy for several weeks and we are beginning to see miraculous improvement.
A couple of weeks ago Swwet G spent close to an hour chasing me around the house in his walker. He lives to chase me and try to run me over. This week we spent some time working on standing from a sitting position without using his arms to pull himself up. This is very difficult for G but as always he didn't complain but took the challenge and wouldn't stop until he was satisfied he had done his best. He also has been practicing kicking a ball which he really enjoys.
Yesterday we worked on lifting his feet off the floor one at a time with the goal of getting his foot as high as he can. I was shocked when I saw how high he was able to lift his feet so I measured the distance. He is able to raise his right foot 6 inches off the floor and his left foot between 4 and 5 inches off the floor. His confidence is really building and I am so optimistic about his future achievements.
Last night I had him attempt standing on his own with no support. This is very scary for Sweet G. Fear has been his biggest obstacle and I am beginning to see him overcome his fear and take chances. He finally stood unsupported for a few seconds at a time. He didn't even do his usual whining and complaining. It was a dare and he was determined to show me he could do it.
I have also been requiring G to use his walker exclusively to get around the house. I rarely carry him anymore. (Now if I can break J and T from picking him up!) I have seen such improvement in his speed, his accuracy, and his motivation since beginning this new routine. We are also working on him being independent in getting onto the sofa. This is another area that has surprised me. He can now go from his walker to the sofa with mostly just verbal prompts from me.
I am one proud Momma. I have had a week filled with amazing firsts. I feel like a brand new Momma feels the first time her child reaches these same milestones only I know from years of waiting what an amazing miracle I am witnessing with each new feat. My Sweet G is amazing and I can't wait to see what new things he comes up with next.
Physical milestones have all come late for Sweet G because of his cerebral palsy. There have been times when we questioned whether he would ever sit up alone or walk with the use of a walker. Doctors and therapists had no way of answering our questions or relieving our fears. We were told that only time would tell. Each case is different. Most of the time there have been no answers.
We are only now beginning to get some answers about Sweet G's potential. Years of therapy and waiting have passed. His bones finally outgrew his muscles and he received tendon lengthening surgery to return the range of motion to his legs. We survived six weeks of full leg casts along with a twenty-six inch bar separating his feet. He has now been in therapy for several weeks and we are beginning to see miraculous improvement.
A couple of weeks ago Swwet G spent close to an hour chasing me around the house in his walker. He lives to chase me and try to run me over. This week we spent some time working on standing from a sitting position without using his arms to pull himself up. This is very difficult for G but as always he didn't complain but took the challenge and wouldn't stop until he was satisfied he had done his best. He also has been practicing kicking a ball which he really enjoys.
Yesterday we worked on lifting his feet off the floor one at a time with the goal of getting his foot as high as he can. I was shocked when I saw how high he was able to lift his feet so I measured the distance. He is able to raise his right foot 6 inches off the floor and his left foot between 4 and 5 inches off the floor. His confidence is really building and I am so optimistic about his future achievements.
Last night I had him attempt standing on his own with no support. This is very scary for Sweet G. Fear has been his biggest obstacle and I am beginning to see him overcome his fear and take chances. He finally stood unsupported for a few seconds at a time. He didn't even do his usual whining and complaining. It was a dare and he was determined to show me he could do it.
I have also been requiring G to use his walker exclusively to get around the house. I rarely carry him anymore. (Now if I can break J and T from picking him up!) I have seen such improvement in his speed, his accuracy, and his motivation since beginning this new routine. We are also working on him being independent in getting onto the sofa. This is another area that has surprised me. He can now go from his walker to the sofa with mostly just verbal prompts from me.
I am one proud Momma. I have had a week filled with amazing firsts. I feel like a brand new Momma feels the first time her child reaches these same milestones only I know from years of waiting what an amazing miracle I am witnessing with each new feat. My Sweet G is amazing and I can't wait to see what new things he comes up with next.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Sad, Sad Day
A wonderfully unique woman I have known for many years died in a car accident this afternoon. I haven't seen her for a long time but just talked to her last week on Facebook. It seems so unreal that life just keeps going when someone who is loved by so many steps out of this world. I have felt empty and sick since I read about her death and I cannot imagine the pain of her family tonight.
Life has been very hard for me this last year. It isnt that nothing positive has come to my life because there have been lots of good things, too. I reached the goal of being a college graduate almost a year ago and my son graduated from high school and completed his freshman year of college successfully. I have been able to spend the past few months teaching Sweet G at home. Life is still good. I just find that this year has had more than it's share of pain. Bittersweet.
Today was particularly hard. It started with the news of my friend's death, then I attended T's girlfriend's going away party (she leaves for the Marine's next week), and later today I was given a message asking something I am not sure I can handle right now. I find myself wishing I could disappear for a while.
Lord, hide me in Your everlasting arms. Shield me from the attacks I feel too weak to fight. Hold my hand and lead me out of this valley that has once again turned so dark. Help me to hear Your voice as I walk through this storm and give me the strength I need to obey You when You tell me what to do. Life is so fragile. Things change in the blink of an eye and I don't want to hesitate in doing Your will.
Life has been very hard for me this last year. It isnt that nothing positive has come to my life because there have been lots of good things, too. I reached the goal of being a college graduate almost a year ago and my son graduated from high school and completed his freshman year of college successfully. I have been able to spend the past few months teaching Sweet G at home. Life is still good. I just find that this year has had more than it's share of pain. Bittersweet.
Today was particularly hard. It started with the news of my friend's death, then I attended T's girlfriend's going away party (she leaves for the Marine's next week), and later today I was given a message asking something I am not sure I can handle right now. I find myself wishing I could disappear for a while.
Lord, hide me in Your everlasting arms. Shield me from the attacks I feel too weak to fight. Hold my hand and lead me out of this valley that has once again turned so dark. Help me to hear Your voice as I walk through this storm and give me the strength I need to obey You when You tell me what to do. Life is so fragile. Things change in the blink of an eye and I don't want to hesitate in doing Your will.
Sad, Sad Day
A wonderfully unique woman I have known for many years died in a car accident this afternoon. I haven't seen her for a long time but just talked to her last week on Facebook. It seems so unreal that life just keeps going when someone who is loved by so many steps out of this world. I have felt empty and sick since I read about her death and I cannot imagine the pain of her family tonight.
Life has been very hard for me this last year. It isnt that nothing positive has come to my life because there have been lots of good things, too. I reached the goal of being a college graduate almost a year ago and my son graduated from high school and completed his freshman year of college successfully. I have been able to spend the past few months teaching Sweet G at home. Life is still good. I just find that this year has had more than it's share of pain. Bittersweet.
Today was particularly hard. It started with the news of my friend's death, then I attended T's girlfriend's going away party (she leaves for the Marine's next week), and later today I was given a message asking something I am not sure I can handle right now. I find myself wishing I could disappear for a while.
Lord, hide me in Your everlasting arms. Shield me from the attacks I feel too weak to fight. Hold my hand and lead me out of this valley that has once again turned so dark. Help me to hear Your voice as I walk through this storm and give me the strength I need to obey You when You tell me what to do. Life is so fragile. Things change in the blink of an eye and I don't want to hesitate in doing Your will.
Life has been very hard for me this last year. It isnt that nothing positive has come to my life because there have been lots of good things, too. I reached the goal of being a college graduate almost a year ago and my son graduated from high school and completed his freshman year of college successfully. I have been able to spend the past few months teaching Sweet G at home. Life is still good. I just find that this year has had more than it's share of pain. Bittersweet.
Today was particularly hard. It started with the news of my friend's death, then I attended T's girlfriend's going away party (she leaves for the Marine's next week), and later today I was given a message asking something I am not sure I can handle right now. I find myself wishing I could disappear for a while.
Lord, hide me in Your everlasting arms. Shield me from the attacks I feel too weak to fight. Hold my hand and lead me out of this valley that has once again turned so dark. Help me to hear Your voice as I walk through this storm and give me the strength I need to obey You when You tell me what to do. Life is so fragile. Things change in the blink of an eye and I don't want to hesitate in doing Your will.
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