Special needs have all kinds of challenges, both upfront and many “behind the scenes”. The recent weeks have been a little more “behind the scenes” frustrating and time-consuming than outward challenges. Which, in all honesty, is a good thing because that means that Drew is sailing on routinely and things have been pretty stable for…
Drew’s Birth Story
Originally posted on drewunarmed:
Today, February 6th, is Drew’s 8th birthday! Eight! Happy Birthday, Drew! So, in honor of his birthday, I wanted to share his birth story. We had a planned C-section in Nashville, Tennessee at Vanderbilt. We knew of his syndrome as early as just a few months into the pregnancy and the…
Drew Graduates!
I’m proud to announce that Drew is an official graduate of the intensive suit therapy program at Believe Therapy! Drew completed his last day at Believe Therapy on Friday, February 3rd having completed 60 hours of intense physical therapy in three weeks. It would have taken around five months to complete the same number…
Believe Therapy Week 1 – Check!
Well, five days of Believe Therapy complete and what a week it was. Each day was full of relentless labor, drenching sweat and even occasional tears as Drew was pushed to the absolute limit, and even slightly beyond by a dedicated team of therapists with merciless motivation, endless energy and pure love and support…
Believe Therapy – Day 1
We’ve been anticipating this specialized therapy for a few months, but it still seemed to sneak up on us out of the blue. And, not to be out done, “life” was bound and determined to make this trip as stressful as possible starting with a miserable head cold making its way through the family one…
Countdown to Special Therapy
T minus two weeks. Drew’s specialized therapy begins on Monday, January 16th and the real work begins. Even though I have been a strong advocate for this therapy for Drew, I did ask myself if we were going to excessive lengths for Drew’s needs. But, the battle for traditional physical therapy has secured my confidence that…
Another Successful Trip to Florida!
Last week, Drew and I flew to Southern Florida for Drew’s first follow-up with Dr. Paley since this summer’s corrective surgeries. Only a small part of me felt a little stressed having to complete yet another cross-country trip to Florida because bitter cold weather blew through Kentucky making our upcoming trip a treat. But, our delight was…
Going Through the Motions
I know it’s been a long time since I’ve shared. I’ve just been going through the motions of raising a mobility-challenged child so it feels slighty routine and unremarkable, yet there are highlights of excitement. Physical therapy has been normal. I am disheartened to acknowledge that Drew has lost a lot of range of motion…
Thumb and Therapy
Another trip to Cincinnati over and done. Getting back into my truck for a lengthy drive wasn’t exactly what I had hoped so shortly after returning from Florida, but I managed to bear with it. Even as I drove the whole trip with wet, cold shoes since we spent a couple of hours playing in…
And We’re Outta Here!
We just finished up our four-month stint in Florida. We survived a 990 mile, 15-hour drive from Florida to our ol’ Kentucky home. Beginning the return to Kentucky exit plan, the physical therapy team at the Paley Institute made a series of videos to share with therapists here in order to continue Drew’s rehabilitation. Of…
Gaining Momentum
Drew just finished up his sixth week of physical therapy. Drew has come a long way since the beginning of this summer: his legs went from perpetually bent to completely straight and he’s gone from complete weakness from unused muscles and abilities to just beginning to stand on his own and even attempt steps by…
Therapy Continues
Drew just completed his fourth week of physical therapy. It’s gone pretty good, though his progress has been slower than I like. His range of motion is making incremental improvements. He’s standing for very short periods of time and walking using a Lite Gait apparatus to help support his weight. Drew has maintained cooperation and…
drewunarmed 