This is what I heard as Anastasia was going outside yesterday, and she was very serious. She ran up and down the driveway till she fell and got a bloody lip. About 4months ago she asked me if she'd ever be able to run. I answered her honestly, I didn't know. Her therapist didn't know either, there really is no telling how well her brain will end up connecting her muscles. CP is so complex, and thanks be to God, our bodies are miraculous, and our brain can create new pathways.
Anastasia didn't cry about her bloody lip, she came into the house smiling, "Mom, I fall down, my lip is bleeding, I was running, did you see me"
There were two muscles Anastasia could not control on her own, that she now can, she could not move her foot up and down (ankle movement) and she could not pull her leg up while laying on her belly, like if you were laying on your belly and pulled your foot up to your butt. (sorry only way I know how to explain it)She can now do both of those things, not as easily or as well as you or I, but she can! The next step was to get her to stop using her arms to try to walk and to get her to activate her hips on her own. When we walk we use our hips, she was not, she would curl her arms up, arch her back out, pushing her chest foward. I cannot tell you how many times, I have said "arms down, chest down, walk with your legs not your arms" I doubted myself as a mother all the time. I felt like all I did was nag at her, maybe I should just let her be, she is just a child. And I was tired of hearing myself nag.
Several weeks ago, her therapist and I made the decision to take her out of her braces. The braces had become a toy, she would lean on them, etc... and was falling because of it. And most of all I thought they were creating more bad habits, we didn't need anymore of those. Her gait didn't get any better after that, and it seemed like she was not trying, her chest stuck out farther and when I asked her to correct herself she rarely tried. I did notice that she wasn't dragging her toes hardly at all. She would straighten her leg out after it hit the ground and her foot would hit flat all at one time, making a THWACK sound.
So fast foward to Monday night, we were at the mall, ( I love the mall during Christmas) and whenever we were on hard floor, you would hear us coming, THWACK< THWACK. We kindly asked her to control her feet and set them down gently, THWACK< THWACK. I could tell Gary's nerves were grinding, and so were mine. (it's the truth,sorry) So I stood behind her my hands on her shoulders (I have done this whole thing before, to no avail) "Anastasia, pick up her leg, just a little, now straighten your leg and put it down ON YOUR HEEL first, small steps. I stayed with her for 2 steps then she walked away to Daddy who was ahead of us. As quiet as can be, heels first, arms down, upper body relaxed!! I can't explain how I felt at that moment, our mouths fell open and then we started rejoicing. She was so proud, and she should be.
She is learning to run, her hips working to put her feet down foward, miraculous. So, yes, baby girl you will be able to run.
Her therapist was as surprised and happy as we were.
Anastasia has never been happier. She loves to practice running, she runs all over the house. Imagine never being able to hurry, to rush, so move quickly then all of a sudden you can. She loves it, she feels like she is running fast as lightening. And it's akward and so darn cute.
HOORAY!!!! My Angela is 13 and has Down syndrome. All the muscles along the back of her legs are short, which makes plantar flexion and knee flexion very difficult. She walks with a slight forward lean, and makes that thwacking sound with every step. It drives me crazy!!!! One foot is slightly worse than the other because she has a drop-foot. Her walk is so loud! But, we have been to all kinds of specialists, had her gait assessed, etc. and without several major surgeries, this is how she will walk. Since she has serious problems with wound healing, we're not going that route. And, with the DS, she just didn't comprehend when we were trying to correct her. Now at 13 we can't really do much about it. But, I can so understand your husband's irritation with the sound, because I have the same irritation! Hooray for Anastasia putting it all together and finding her next gear. Praise God!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me smile to read about her running and how happy it makes her!
ReplyDeleteAs for our Christmas . . . you asked about how often Santa visits . . . it's only at our house that he comes twice because I didn't want to lose the tradition of the stockings. So, we tell the kids that the Scandinavian one who comes in the afternoon is one of the helpers and then while they are sleeping the "real" one comes with the sleigh and fills the stockings plus leaves a few more under the tree. For the rest of the people here, gifts are all opened on Christmas Eve.
ok...I just spent the last 2 hours reading your entire blog. You and your family are absolutely amazing!! It just reminds me how awesome our God is and what perfect plans He has for us all. Thank you SO much for taking the time to share your story, the good, the bad, and even the ugly! It is all just priceless. I will be praying for your family, especially now with your husbands upcoming deployment. I am just so amazed and inspired by all that I just read and can't wait to see what God has in store for your family next!
ReplyDeleteJennifer Fowler (I know you from QRES 8-) )