Friday, May 25, 2007

Getting around




This isn't his most efficient way of getting places, but he likes to use it when he welcomes daddy home or he just has a short distance to go. Those little power arms are so wonderful to see again. After his surgeries in January and February, his arms looked so frail.
I also am so happy with his feet. We've gone through a lot of casting for those feet, and I'm so pleased they are looking so good. When he came out of his casts after all his shunt surgeries, his legs looked so limp and his feet so floppy. They seemed to want to immediately turn back in. Once he regained his strength and then starting bearing some weight, I've noticed a big difference.
I'll be so pleased and happy if he walks, but if he doesn't I don't think I'll be disappointed. One doctor made the comment that if you can't walk, you can still run a boardroom, and that's really stuck with me. I'll do my best to support G on his journey. If he walks, I will be thrilled. If he wheels, I'll be thrilled.
So many people put such an emphasis on his walking, and it's kind of weird to me that it's such a big deal to them. I've said many times the likelihood that he'll probably do both walking/wheeling is very high, but they are so dismissive of the wheeling aspect. I don't think they understand how weak his legs are and how much effort he has to put into using them.
I really think he probably will walk. And that's a great thing. I think, though, that he'll also use a wheelchair. That doesn't make me faithless. It doesn't make me a pessimist. It doesn't even make me a realist. I'm not accepting a negative reality because, really, what's so wrong with him having to use a wheelchair? I'll encourage the kid as much as I can. But I sense, I feel, this judgment when I say he'll probably do both. As if I'm somehow giving him limitations. I honestly believe he'll be limited if my focus is on just getting him to walk.

7 comments:

Angela said...

He's SO CUTE!! Oh my goodness!! Jack scoots on his knees quite a bit and has built up a lot of strength in his left arm!

I've had similar discussions about Jack's wheelchair. I believe most people assume (incorrectly) that if you have a wheelchair you don't walk, or if you walk you don't need a wheelchair. As we know, this isn't true!! I hope by explaining things to friends and family they take the time to learn and be more understanding of disabilities.

Rural Felicity said...

Thank you, Angela! It's amazing how strong they are. :)

Some people are wonderful listeners about the wheelchair and some people just don't (or don't want to?) get it. Most people genuinely want to learn about it, though, it seems. I hope the others gain more understanding once they see him in a chair and walking. :)

catherine (fairchild) calhoun said...

Nice post. I have an idea of what you mean with my son who both walks and wheels. It seems people think I am disloyal or somehow not 100% super mom when I acknowledge out loud that my son will most likely always supplement his walking with wheeling. It certainly can complicate things to pack his wheels along but it simply is what it is. He is no less or more wonderful either way.

Rural Felicity said...

Hi, Catherine! Thanks for stopping by. Your son is way too cute. :)

Karen Putz said...

What a cutie he is!

My youngest son was born at home too.

n. said...

i wasn't really aware of part-time wheelchair use until recently, but have least 2 friends who are / will be in that situation. it's good to have the options and gadgets you need for a relatively convenient life. gotta love gadgets, no matter if they are for mobility, communication, safety, or whatever.

Trinity said...

People decide that there's this big divide between wheeling and walking. Really there is not.