Annie's New Kidwalk

As promised, on the sidebar is the link to a short clip of Annie trying out her new Kidwalk. This gait trainer has only been out for about a year, and it is pretty cool. It allows her to access things in front of her at school--like desks and tables--and it is dynamic, i.e., the saddle seat moves up and down and side to side as she walks. The seat of her other (less cool) gait trainer was stationary, and didn't help her mimic a normal walking pattern. Also, this Kidwalk comes in a fashion-forward neon lime color, and features wheels that light up. It road-tested at 0-60 in 7 seconds, but we have a governor on it, so she can't go faster than 35 mph when she's indoors.

I'll periodically take video of her walking in this, so you can see her progress. This first time, she was a bit tentative--but not resistant--to being in it, so that's a win. Please pray that this Kidwalk help strengthen her little bird legs, and help her regain core muscle strength so that she can walk again.

Jean

All things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23

October

Lots of news to report this month--first, Annie is getting her Kidwalk gait trainer tomorrow, and I promise to get a video up asap. The first time we put her in it, she seemed to like it, so hopefully, tomorrow she'll do the same.

She also continues to do well in hippotherapy, and sat up real straight while riding Mahon the Amish horse yesterday. She is warming up to him more, too, and actually looked at him when she threw a handful of carrots on the floor for him to eat. Used to be that she'd turn her head and avert her eyes when we parked her wheelchair near his stall. And you may remember that she gagged the first time we tried to get her to touch the carrots. So, maybe next week she'll let him eat from her hand--or maybe next year.

On a practical note, Moira, her school nurse, reported to me last week that Annie sat on her big girl potty, and also produced. Just don't tell her that I told you that--she'd be mortified. Little things are big deals around here, you know.

Well, let me charge up those batteries, and we'll have that Kidwalk video up by the end of this week.

Jean

"So I will strengthen them in the Lord, and they shall walk up and down in His name,” says the Lord. Zechariah 10:12