He beat the odds

I have a 13 year old son who has Cerebral Palsy and developmental delays.  He spent half his life in and out of the hospital. Either it was for an appointment, procedure, or emergency. I swear everyone at Children's hospital knew our name.  When he was diagnosed with the CP, I had him in physical therapy both in school and out side of school.  Later I, was taking him for botox treatments, every 3 to 4 months. As he grew I noticed that his little straight legs began to bend. By the time he was 8 or 9 his gait was in a bent position. The Orthopedic Doctor explained the his bones were growing but his tendons were so tight, that they were not growing with the rest of his body. He also told us that once he rest his late teens he would, most likely, be wheelchair bond! So I spoke with the Ortho about orthopedic surgery. After two years and many visits to the GI doctor (just to make sure his weight was good) his surgery was scheduled for June 5, 2014. We were naturally scared and made sure we asked all the right questions. The Doctor informed us of the pros and cons of such a surgery. "It could go either way." is basically what he told us. "You could have a kid that recovers well and responds well to the PT or a kid that recovers well and does not respond well to the PT." In other words successful surgery and have a mobile kid or successful surgery and have a non-mobile kid that went from very stiff to very floppy! Well Praise God the surgery and PT sessions were both a success!

 He used to walk like this, with and without his walker. Shoes stayed scoffed and so do his pants. He would knee walk when he was in the house.

This was taken this year, he still uses his walker (and crutches now too) but to see him standing on his own is EPIC. He has been through so much in his 13 years, every new adventure in his life a a major milestone to me. I love to see him progress.