A WORD TO READERS:

This Blog is intended to educate as many as possible. Our story is unique as is each story of a special needs child.

Thank you!











Lisa












Sunday, February 6, 2011

Milestones, Interviews and more...

Hello everyone,
This past week was another busy week for us with a few unexpected opportunities and some 1st time events.

The week started out with Ethan staying home due to not feeling real well. It was nice to have him home with me for the day and in between working at home that day, we had some much missed snuggle time. Needless to say, after a few home-made chocolate chip cookies, he started to perk up and felt better by evening. As Ethan put it... "Mom...can I have 2 cookies? Cuz I'm really sick and they will make me feel better cuz you put love in them"... Who could resist that line so yes...he got the cookies.

The rest of the week went pretty smooth until Thrs when a friend of mine from MN called me (They too are schedule to go to the Xcell Center)and asked if I would share our story with a KSTP Channel 5 in Minneapolis. I was honored to share the spotlight with her and immediately agreed. So on Friday, I conducted a phone interview with KSTP...The story aired that night.

Also on Friday, Ethan was interviewed again by the Fargo Forum. We had to laugh as while it was after school and his sister was home; he quickly dismissed her to the basement and added "Just until after my interview, then we can play Wii"... We are anxiously awaiting the new story to come out and will post the link here.

Yesterday, Ethan decided to do a few 1sts... He went bowling for the 1st time ever (not counting Wii Bowling)and tied with his cousin Lauren...he was pretty excited about the 2 spares and 1 strike he got and he was just as excited when his sister, Ashlee got a strike as well. Then, he walked up stairs with his crutches...He also stood for 3 seconds last night and has been moving around furniture like crazy. At times however I have seen what appears to be the want to take independent steps--we just haven't seen him do it; but you can tell the thought is there.

Outside of that; Ethan continues to walk more and more with his crutches every day. He walks with them while shopping; in school; at church; and in the house...he loves the feel of independence and he's even getting really good at opening doors with them as well as turning the TV on/off. He can even go backwards!

We are anxiously awaiting for some of the snow to melt and for spring to arrive. The kids are getting antsy to ride bike and to be outside again. As spring nears, Ethan will get his own bike as well as a helmet/pads for the 1st time. He's desperately wanting a Toy Story 3 bike so I guess we'll see what we can find. :-)

As always...thank you to everyone, for the continued prayers and thoughts, they are being heard and felt--keep them coming. :-)

Well..that's its for now. Until later..

Lisa

Thursday, January 13, 2011

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

Saturday, December 18, 2010

New Braces

Merry Christmas everyone! Its been quite a year that's for sure. I remember last year at this time when Ethan came up to me and asked for "New legs that work!!!"...hence our journey began. Needless to say Ethan has his new legs that work...it took a trip to Germany and and an orthopedic surgery but we have loose legs and flat feet! Yesterday we got our new AFOs (braces) and now we can go to town on walking. Ethan is walking better today (even without his braces) than he has EVER walked (even at his prior best). Now that we have the new braces, we're really going to focus on walking more with the walker and retire the wheelchair as much as we can...once that is accomplished, then we'll move on to the crutches.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support and prayers--we couldn't have gotten to where we are today without them. To all of my new friends I have met along the way this past year... you mean sooo much to me; thank you! I am truly blessed to have met so many WONDERFUL people ...you are treasured beyond words.

I will be posting some new pics/video shortly...so stay tuned... Til then, Happy Holidays!!!

God Bless--

Lisa

Saturday, November 27, 2010

New link

Hey all...I've posted Ethan's latest new's story to our blog...check it out under Ethan's Links!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Follow up story

Catch Ethan's update from last night on KVLY LIVE (http://www.valleynewslive.tv/) @10 (11-24).