The Bathing Suit Incident

Just in case you were wondering, Jonathan really does only have one leg. Why? Because he was born that way. Why? Because that is how God made him. And no you may NOT look up the leg of his bathing suit just to make sure it really is missing.

Yes, I really did have this conversation with a boy (about 8 years old) at the pool tonight. He had been playing very nicely with my children and then Jonathan got out of the pool and hopped over to the diving board. The boy quickly followed and stopped Jonathan as he was hopping out to the edge of the diving board. He then proceeded to reach through the rail, bend down and attempt to look up Jonathan's bathing suit. I quickly called for him to stop. Jonathan gave him a look like what are you doing and then hopped off the diving board. I called the boy over (hoping a parent would appear) and proceeded to tell him it was not appropriate to look up someones bathing suit. He told me, he was just checking to make sure it was really missing.

This happens when we enter a new environment. People stare, eyes follow him, strangers come up to me and tell me how amazing he is. Jonathan takes it all in stride. Half the time he is oblivious to it. The funny thing is when someone asks if he is my son, my first reaction is "why what did he do?" I forget the one leg thing. He is my son (period) I agree he really is amazing, but please take my word for it- he is not hiding his leg up his bathing suit.

we got wheels

Leo had physical therapy today. He got a new set of wheels to borrow! He wasn't sure what to make of his walker as he is used to pushing his "walker" toy. This real walker is a backward one which he actually pulls as he walks. It is a little too big for him, but the smallest one our therapist could find to borrow. We will be ordering him his very own as soon as we are sure this is a good fit for him. The one we order for him will  be smaller and have a back support on it.  Progress is being made. 

Leo had a consult with an Occupational Therapist last week. She gave me probably 50 pages of reading to complete with the acknowledgement that I most likely didn't have time to do it. I really appreciated her insight into how Leo sees the world and how he interpretes his surroundings. She also demonstrated for me a brushing program or a deep pressure program as she liked calling it. Leo giggled the whole time she was "brushing" him. He loved it. We will be incorporating this program into Leo's daily schedule.  She will come out one or two more times offering her insight and then decide if any more visits are necessary. 

In other news, we are in full summer mode here.  Jeremy took Jonathan and Ben to Great Adventure yesterday courtesy of the Read to Succeed Program.  Tyler is participating in a Lego Mind storms Day camp and loving it.  Amanda is attending a music camp at our church.  This is probably our fullest week all summer.  I am looking forward to slowing down next week and enjoying some down time.

As I type, Amanda is listening to the Phantom of the Opera in her room and Jeremy is reading Redwall to all the boys in the livingroom.  

Leo walking! (sorta)

Here are some videos of Leo walking with assistance from Kim.  Walking!  Let that sink in for a minute and maybe you'll understand how Kim and I feel about this.

We have been charged by Leo's physical therapist to do this sort of exercise with him twice a day.  We may, in time, get a real walker for Leo.  (Not a toy one like you see here.)  It seems they are hard to get for little tykes.  (Who knew?)

But , the really neat thing is what the therapist told Kim today.  She said that she thought Leo would (with practice) get to the point where he would walk on his own.  Nice.

I can't help but look at this and think "Leo, you've come a long way, baby."  I mean, when he was born he had a cleft lip, and a cleft palate, and an ominous genetic disorder.  His outlook was pretty bleak.  I am sure there were doctors who doubted he would make it through his first year. 

But he did. 

We were told he was blind.  But he sees.

We were told he was deaf.  But he hears.

We were told he may never walk.  But... look out!  Here he comes!