Thursday, April 11, 2013

"Difficult things take a long time, impossible things a little longer." ~André A. Jackson

I was told recently that current studies have shown that if a child with Cerebral Palsy is not walking by age six, the likelihood of ever walking, is reduced significantly. Zoey has CP. She is 6 and well, she certainly isn't walking. It's not like I haven't heard similar things in the past. I usually just file the info in my " who the hell cares" part of my brain, and move on.



 For instance, do you know how over I am when it comes to obsessing on whether or not Zoey will ever eat real food by mouth? Sure, on a long car ride to oh say, Yosemite, would it have been nice to hand the child a PB&J, rather then risk life and limb and climb back and gtube feed, or spoon feed her baby food? Yep, not gonna lie, it would but I cant, so I let it go.

* I literally sat on that portable potty seat and fed her 5 times a day, on our trip up north. No joke

Now, the walking thing, I'd love for her to walk. For her. Not me. Her teeny-tiny size for the time being allows me to get her to where she needs to go and wants to go, quite easily. Her chair is fairly lightweight and does its job when we are tooling around on errands and such. And, she still loves being in a backpack carrier, so that makes both of our lives more enjoyable when we head out into this world ... especially, amazing and beautiful parts of this world.



But I do know, or at least I am fairly certain, that my little social butterfly would love to keep up with her little buddies, and with her brothers and niece, while standing all upright and on own two little feet. I do get little heart pangs now and again when I pass a kindergarten playground and see all the little ones running and chasing each other and climbing the jungle gyms. I do. But the ache doesn't last long. I can't let it. Does me, and does Zoey, not one ounce of good.

So we go with what we've got. We continue with the slow and steady mind set and we rely on all that Zoey has shown us in the past and that is: She defies all those studies and statistics and percentages. She's Zoey after all and she never ceases to amaze. Don't believe me, check this out. Even WE didn't know she could do this:





More picture from our trip to come soon. Spectacular place Yosemite is. Really and truly magnificent. I will share one of my favorites for now. Took it Sunday morning as we hiked through Mariposa Grove where the Giant Sequoias are. We are always keeping our little Gracie with us. Always.


13 comments:

Cammie Heflin said...

This made me cry and miss you guys even more. I hate that I didn't get to make my annual trip to Cali this March. Next year I will be there again if not before! Love that Zoey girl so much! Slow and steady sweet one! We love and miss you!

Bea Braun said...

Oh my gosh I could not get to that video fast enough!!! I bet her PT is doing back flips right now! She will always defy and break the rules, that is just who she is. That girl's got spunk!!! I just booked our summer trip to Yosemite. Your posts inspired me. It's been a few years since we've been there and it always feeds my soul. Can't wait to see the pictures :)

Elizabeth said...

Oh, my gosh. I love that video! Sophie hung out like that and on her knees, actually, for years. I do hope Zoey learns how to walk around, even a bit, but if she doesn't -- who the hell cares? I imagine she'll continue to be one of the happiest humans on the planet, and her wheelchair is awesome.

Reagan Leigh said...

Such determination that girl!! So glad you were able to get out for a mini vacation! You definitely need it!!

colleen said...

All I can say is WOW.... so glad you switched PT's when you did. No nay sayers allowed on zoey's team.
The Yosemite break looked beautiful, so glad you got away. Wonderful to have you back in the blog world!

The VW's said...

Yay Zoey! Such an inspiration!

blogzilly said...

Admit it...you took advantage of the feeding time and USED the portable potty too. I get it. A time saver. I'd have done the same thing. Then you just chuck it out the window when no one is around. ;)

Peter Olson said...

Zoey is an amazing girl.
I wonder if she gets that quality from her mom?
:-)

Ivey's Mom said...

Hmm. Ditto.

Shelly Turpin said...

That girl - she is personality and a half! Just love her.
Love the Grace reminder. <3

Anonymous said...

great video. you go Zoey girl!

Aunt Bluebelle

Michelle said...

Tears watching that video. Tears. Go Zoey!

blogzilly said...

Nice post.

And although I read the tutorial, I still don't grasp hashtags. Maybe that is part of why I am shying away from blogging. The Internet is getting too complicated for my pea brain to understand. :)