Ethan's new legs...that work

Hello everyone,
Sorry I haven't updated our blog for a while but its been a little bit of a whirlwind lately with all of Christmas activities.
Well I'm not one for suspense...and from the title of my entry...I'm sure your wondering what news I'll be passing along to you so i'll pass along the news.
Ethan decided that he's had enough of his walker and started using his crutches this past week. He was scared to death the 1st time but a few days later decided to walk across the room a few times with them and all with complete ease. Yesterday in school, he continued to practice too in the hallways. The excitement that he shows...is unmeasurable. He still uses his walker and chair to get around longer distances but his walking is sooo much nicer with his crutches as he has to go slower than he does with his walker.
Needless to say, I've been in touch with our travel agent about starting to plan for the much promised trip to Disney World next year (2012). The kids are sooo excited.
Who would have thought that just a few short months ago Ethan was in a wheelchair and today...using crutches. Miraculous...

We also joined up with a local group called HOPE INC (watch the January 2nd episode of Extreme Home Makeover to get to know the family who heads the group and what HOPE Inc is.)...
Last Saturday we played Sled Hockey for the 1st time...Connor and Ashlee too got to participate. Mom pushed the sled for an hour and thought I was going to bed ridden the next day due to sore legs but...overall it was a blast and weather permitting we'll be back this Saturday. Ethan and Connor had a great time-Ethan scored 3x and Connor 1x...Ashlee wasn't too sure about it.

Our journey truly continues... Ethan continues to make definite progress. His tone reduction has been compared to that of what one might see with after having a rhizotomy surgery... He still likes to pull up on his toes a bit but we are confident that with stretching and strength building some of that should be resolved however due to short hamstrings, we may have to have a hamstring lengthening surgery in the future but we'll cross that bridge when we get there...For now, we are thrilled with the progress Ethan has made and continue to see daily miracles.

That's all for now...stay tuned!

Lisa