There is something quite magical about taking a child with spastic quadraparesis, out of a wheelchair and bringing their non moving legs into the fluidity of the water. Therapeutically it goes without saying, water is very healing and effective for range of motion and exercise. Thankfully this summer, the warm weather has made the town pool at Treadwell Park warm enough for Daniel to tolerate. He is getting tall, and heavier...and we find that we have to take turns working with him in order to give our arms and shoulders a rest. Seeing how much he loves the water... is such a joyful thing... priceless moments as they would say in a VISA commercial, right?
Summer has been warm and cheerful this year, with Daniel receiving a hefty daily dose of additional phosphorus and calcium supplementation to really build up his bones. We are still waiting to see how much improvement in bone health and strength has been achieved, but just seeing him kick and thrash and throw his body around in the pool....convinces me that there is quite clearly some degree of strength improvement.
But even the pool, as much as he loves it, is risky business. One swallow of water will go down into the airway and cause problems with breathing so we have to be very careful not to ever let the head go into the water. NOT always an easy task. Sometimes even a splash from a nearby child can land in his mouth and cause a rattle of congestion. But so far, no respiratory emergencies. Watching the children flinging themselves off the diving board...or swimming underwater to retrieve a diving toy...I wonder if they know how lucky they are...but some things are just assumed... motor skills... check...moving on.
I've been telling myself every single day, that a positive heart has to take control. And that as a strong woman and Mom...I will find a way to get through all of the ups and downs... we've come this far. Its a story of triumph, of compassion, of people helping people, and of never giving up on my child. Never giving up on my family...and giving them what they need. It is not easy....and quite frankly...more like a war than a struggle sometimes.
Today is July 24th. I have been looking for a job but have had absolutely no luck. I am studying to take my property and casualty exam but that will take alot of time. I am always on the look out for some grant, program, part time opportunity, anything that will help bring in funds. Here is where I deep sigh at myself. The piles of issues are still there, like a big thick wall that encloses me. Every day I pray with all of my heart that this will be the day a miracle comes our way... that somehow God will continue to shine his light on us.
We are a Mom, a Dad, and three kids. And Daniel is the one kid who needs 100% of our attention, 24 hours a day in order to keep him safe, healthy, happy, and lets face it... Alive. That degree of attention steals away from making money and being prosperous...because 1) our expenses are ridiculously always increasing for him and 2) my career aspirations have been stomped on because I'm out of the work force for 10 years now. I have an MBA and they all tell me, no thanks.
So there is some solace in the warmth of the sun, the ability to swim and be together... God has blessed our family since June by bringing us closer together... and that has been wonderful.
Daniel is a quiet, non verbal, teenage boy with big wide eyes studying the world. I can only imagine what it must feel like for him to be immersed into a swimming pool!!! You can feel happiness just radiate from him.
