Saturday, February 13, 2010

Raising Money for Williams Walker

For those that don't know William has Cerebral Palsy, and in his case it causes problems moving his muscles, and makes it very difficult for him to move his muscles. His CP is a result of an injury at birth, and will not progress. But, there is no cure, and the best treatment is therapy, daily stretching and range of motion exercises to keep muscles from becomming too tight, and to allow him to develop other pathway in the brain to control his muscles.

William is showing some great improvements in trunk and head control. This is the basis for all body movement and essential before he can move to doing other things. We are so proud of his progress. Equipment for kids like William is a continuing need. And getting what is needed is not easy. Recently William just received his Stander, what he needs to be weight bearing on his legs so he can properly form his bones and digest his food. Also it will hold him in the correct posture to help with body positioning. The bad news about getting a stander is Medicaid will not cover a walker for 12 months after getting a stander, and private insurance doesn't cover this type of equipment at all. So we need to raise the funds ourselves so William can have a walker. You ask why we don't just wait 12 months. William is also showing a GREAT desire to MOVE. If we don't encourage this desire to MOVE it may just go away. Here's a short video where you can see William in a Walker just like the one we are ordering, and see how much he enjoys moving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djtg8dqTtcw

He can interact with his brothers better, and play with toys, all of these are needed activities for a 2 year old. Please consider a small donation to assist William getting the equipment he needs. If everyone contributed $25-50 we would have the money needed after just 40-80 people.



Thank you for considering supporting William in his therapy needs.

PS: Any extra will be saved for the next equipment purchase; strictly for William's benefit, he will likely need next speech assistance devices for helping him communicate next, as his motor trouble also affects his speech.

Mother of a "Special" Child

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."

"Forrest, Marjotie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

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."