We've started some PT for William and added some OT and PT from ECI as well. Much more time and energy to devote to helping him get better, yes BETTER.
I've learned that the chance for recovery is greatest in the first 6 months (we're at 5 months now) and continues to be high in the first 18 months, after that the injury will not improve much, but won't get worse either. I've asked a great deal of questions and met with several new people, and they all think William WILL LEARN TO WALK!!!!, but part of the key is to get his as much therapy as we can....NOW, and also working with him as much as we can.
We've been shown new exercises, and were trying to do them as much as we can, I've got some photos on my phone to explain, and I'm hoping to make a big chart for the wall to put photos and explanation in to remind us of exercises to do.
I've also been given some ideas of some other therapies to check into, HBOT, and also check into getting him services from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, according to their web site he appears to qualify, so I will call them tomorrow to check on it. There neurologists see more kids with Cerebral Palsy, where as the neurologist he sees already sees more kids with epilepsy. Maybe there's another medication that's better or that can lower his Valium dose. Or the possibility of better therapies etc.
Notice also that the head is mostly midline, and hands are too. We are working on these in therapy, and can hold for a few seconds, but it's lots of work and we just worked on them before this photo.
Tommy never cared for this seat as a baby. He would stare at the toys like what am I suppose to do with those. Micah really goes to town in this seat, playing with every toy and making the cow sing.
I couldn't find my camera card reader, so check out the pictures below, and click on them to go to my flickr site and see more. Also don't forget to check out the videos of Tommy below too.
Sadie went to a new home last thursday. I sure she will get more love than we could give her. We just couldn't handle 2 dogs and 2 babies. So they had become outside dogs, now hunter can be back in the house. As the two of them would go crazy together. They are both much calmer dogs apart.
When I was young, I'd often say, I'd like to be a mom someday While playing with my baby doll, I thought that job's not hard at all
I'd have a baby, maybe two, a girl in pink...a boy in blue Well I grew up and sure enough, I'm now a mom and gosh it's tough
The baby that was sent to me, was born with disabilities At first I'm frightened through and through, there's much to learn to care for you
This wasn't in my plans at all, when I was young and played with dolls Your mind and body were so weak, you might not ever walk or speak
So much special care required, I'm often scared and often tired As months and years go slowly by, I smile a lot but sometimes cry
To watch you grow and not complain, though you endure your share of pain Oh, how I'd hold you and I'd pray, that you'd be healed and whole someday
But I knew that was not to be, not physically or mentally And so I taught you best I could, your progress wasn't very good
But then one day I realized, as I gazed into your loving eyes That I had learned so much from you, determination...courage too
A love so unconditional, it floods my soul and always will I'm proud to say I gave you birth, for you're an angel here on earth.
God Choose a mother for a "Special" child
Most women becaome mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.
This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But she has patience?" asked the angel.
"I don't want her to have to much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."
"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"
"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".
And what about her Patron saint? asked the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."
My 3 Boys!!!
About my blog
This blog is about me and my family.
Wife to Robert Conrad, and Mommy to Tommy, William, Micah and our latest edition Sydney! Tommy is my bouncing/skipping/swimming/reading 5 year old, loving life and having fun, William (3) is our happy smiling laughing boy loving life and his brothers, William has CP, Micah (3) is our happy go lucky boy, walking/running/swimming/tooth brushing easy going tender hearted boy, Micah has a Congenital heart defect Atrial Septal Defect ASD. Sydney our latest addition adds a girl to our crew of boys.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference
Wife to Robert Conrad, and Mommy to Tommy, William and Micah! Tommy is my bouncing/skipping/swimming/reading 3 year old, loving life and having fun, William is our happy smiling laughing boy loving life and his brothers, William has CP from a birth injury, Micah is our happy go lucky boy, walking/running/swimming/tooth brushing easy going tender hearted boy, Micah has a Congenital heart defect Atrial Septal Defect ASD.
