C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.E.

We are celebrating Will today, with a little trip to the ice cream shop....

because....after 3.5 years of hard work
....today marks a huge milestone for him/us.
My baby boy graduated from.....
physical therapy!!!!
Yay Will!!!!!!!!!!

I am teary eyed as I type this. For those of you who know us, know that little Willie has gone to physical therapy every week since he was three months old. He has mild cerebral palsy, and has always been developmentally behind his age group of peers. Well, not anymore (when it comes to gross motor skills)!!! Today was his yearly re-evaluation for P.T.....and he no longer qualifies. This is like a dream come true for me.

When we got the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (he was about 18 months old), I was filled with many emotions. I was crushed, of course. I wanted to have the ideal "perfect" child....and this made me admit that my baby wasn't "normal". On the flip side, I knew that it could be so much worse. I DO realize this, and thank God every day that he is able to run around and play. We have worked so hard, as a family, to help Will get stronger....and to be able to do all of the things his brother and sister do. Well, today was our payoff. He still will be seen by our physical therapist one time per month, and will still go and get fitted for the braces he wears on his feet. Once a month seems so refreshing!

Now our focus will be on Occupational therapy. We go every week to work on fine motor and sensory integration issues. We have a long way to go in both of those areas, but feel confident we will make progress.

We have decided to go ahead with the developmental evaluation in NW Arkansas. We were referred by our O.T. and Pediatrician. They will be conducting a series of screening inventories to determine the possible causes for some of Will's social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive issues. I wasn't sure if I was going to go this route, but we decided that it was best for our family to move forward with the testing. I guess I am struggling with this decision because I just feel confused. I have a hard time articulating to others, the problems we are encountering. I often wonder if the brain injury he has is a factor. I have read some things about kids with PVL often have behavior and social issues. So, that may be just it, although I'm not sure. But at the same time, I need some help parenting. I need tools and strategies that will work for our family, and help me to be a better mother. But......more on that later, when I finish filling out the PAGES of paperwork for the appt.

Anyway, I'm so proud of my little boy.....and commend all of his hard work and always striving to be independent. Hopefully, this is the first of many huge accomplishments he will make in his lifetime!!!!

New Balance.......

Okay, I know this sounds frivolous to most everyone else except me......but.....New Balance brand tennis shoes have changed my life!! I just found out that SELECT styles in these shoes come in an extra wide.

I am constantly looking for shoes that Wills braces will fit comfortably in -- and strap somehow. Let me tell you, not an easy feat! We have been settling for a wide shoe that is just not wide enough. The only other shoes wide enough for his braces are Stride rite (which are a fortune!), and orthopedic shoes that my insurance does not cover (which are even more expensive!)

I ordered these shoes for a very reasonable price at zappos.com, and they work perfectly with the braces. They just slide right into the shoe......no struggle whatsoever! I'm not a big fan of Velcro--but they fasten, so I can't complain! It's just the little things in life that make a big difference!!!!!
Here are Will's "chunky" new shoes with the braces in them. Of course, Jack got matching ones too.....just not in an extra wide!!

Kistler Kids Day

Saturday was Kistler Kids day at the Oktoberfest. It is a day where all the families of children who receive services at the Kistler Center come together for a day of fun and excitement. There were pony rides, bounce arounds, and many carnival like games. The kids had a blast. It was a good opportunity for us to go and support all of the wonderful things that the center does for many families, including mine. Jack received therapy there for about 1 year, and Will has been receiving therapy there for about 2.5 years.

When I was a teenager I used to take a little girl I babysat to the center for therapy. I was always in awe of how cool the place was, and how caring all the therapists were. It always struck me as a fun place for the kids to do their work necessary for them to be healthy, happy, and functioning as normally as possible. Little did I know, I would have my own child who goes there twice per week, learning the skills necessary to be a happy, healthy little boy!

This is Will bowling. He was very serious about knocking those pins down!!
Caroline loved the ponies. The boys DID NOT.
Jacker was "fishing" for a prize. He was pleased with his catch.
Eating lunch after a busy fun filled morning!