Gym TIME!! (AKA: Andrew's been waiting for this for 10 years)

Andrew has recovered from his surgery and has gained back his pre-PERCS, post-SDR level of strength. He is back to using his walker full time, but can now get his heels flat on the floor and his knees mostly straight. We are continuing with 5 days of physical therapy and are trying to add in more physical activities on top of that. The newest activity? Andrew has been going to the gym.

For years, Andrew has wanted to go with me or my husband to work out at the local YMCA.  He saw it as a sort of rite of passage since only grown-ups go to the gym. Ours has a 10-year old minimum to participate, but Andrew wasn't physically capable of walking on a treadmill until recently. Now, it has become part of his daily routine. He eagerly awaits our workout time in the evenings, even on days that he has already had physical therapy. I eagerly await seeing his achievements from day to day.

What's gym time without a little stretching?

Stretching those legs out after a good workout.

Andrew walks on the treadmill while holding onto the same hand holds that anyone uses. I stay behind him as a spotter in case he trips, falls, or gets really tired. When we first started, Andrew was able to walk about 30 seconds at a time at .5 MPH, the slowest speed on the treadmill. I stayed with him and gave him a break by picking him up for a few seconds when he needed a break. He has quickly been able to build up his endurance, however. The last time that we went, he was able to walk a full two minutes without a break at .7 MPH. He also did 5 minutes with 2 breaks a little later at the same speed. Considering he couldn't even do a minute a few days before, I think that his progress is amazing.

After walking, Andrew wanted to use the hand weights. We already know that he has tremendous upper body strength and the focus really needs to be his legs. So, I agreed that he could do the weights as long as he was standing.... which basically means that he is only holding onto the walker with one hand while doing so. Got to sneak in that standing practice whenever I can.



All of Andrew's hard work is definitely paying off! Look what he was able to do this week at therapy! (This video was taken a couple of hours before the gym pictures).

Cast Removal! 3 weeks post-PERCS

After 3 weeks of counting down, the day finally came... Andrew's was allowed to get his casts off!

When Andrew had casts removed 2 years ago after his traditional hamstring lengthening, he flipped out and his behavior was completely out of control. He was terrified that the saw would cut him and the noise made him completely overstimulated. I was very nervous that this cast removal would be the same, but I had nothing to worry about. 

Here's a video of his cast removal:

 http://youtu.be/YnzuUYLgzWk

Andrew was slightly nervous about the noise at first, but once the removal got going, he was just excited that his feet were going to be free. I think that it helped that we had them removed by our orthotist, someone that Andrew knows well and trusts. It was all around a positive experience.

Here's Andrew's first "freedom" picture. 

He now has to wear his tall AFO foot/leg braces full time for several weeks to continue with his healing, and then he will hopefully be ready for shorter SMO foot braces after that. 

I'm so excited to see his improvements over the next several months!

3 Weeks Post-PERCS

Andrew is now 3 weeks post-PERCS after SDR. He is still wearing casts, so is using his wheelchair far more than we want him to right now. Casts come off tomorrow morning and then it is back to using his walker full time! We are all very excited for that. In the meantime, the dressings on the incisions are off and the steri-strips have finally come all the way off. Being that I am NOT a nursey person, I have to tell you that I found that part of the healing to be entirely disgusting and I am very happy that I don't have to watch those things come off anymore.

Andrew is doing great in therapy! It is awesome to see his heels striking the floor and his knees mostly straight.

He didn't lose much of the strength that he had gained post-SDR in this surgery, so we are really hoping that once the casts are off, he will improve rapidly. An added bonus to the casts is that it adds a level of difficulty to his exercises. Basically, the kid is weight training. :)

Check out these pictures from last week's therapy session!

And then... this happened. Andrew felt stable and decided to try letting go on his own. His heels are flat. His knees are not completely straight yet, but that will come with gaining more strength.

In the last 2 years, this 10-year old kid has gone through 3 surgeries (2 lengthening, 1 SDR), 2 hospital stays, 2 castings, various bracing systems, knee immobilizers, and 100s of hours of physical therapy (over 100 just since November). Even though he does get frustrated and burnt out occasionally, he is determined and is pushing himself hard. His shirt says it all: defeat is not an option.

If you want to donate to Andrew's therapy/medical costs, click here: www.youcaring.com/helpandrewwalk

PERCS: The Second Stage to Andrew's Transformation

We just got back from a week in St. Louis, MO where Andrew underwent the second procedure (PERCS) to help him with walking. It was the kids' Spring Break from school, so we took everyone so we could do some fun things while we were there.

I have family about halfway to St. Louis, so we stopped to spend Easter with them. We were there for two days there before heading out.  On Saturday, we went to a really neat park that had many accessible areas. Andrew used his walker for some parts, but used his wheelchair once he got tired.

On Sunday, Andrew and the kids' had an Easter egg hunt with their cousin. Andrew was able to use his walker for the egg hunt, for the first time ever! It was awesome that we didn't have to carry him around or have him crawl to participate.

Monday was filled with doctor's appointments and evaluations. We had his 4 month post-op check with Dr. Park and his PT team. Andrew is progressing nicely and should hopefully be walking independently around that 2 year mark. Andrew wants it to be faster, but I am just excited that independent walking might now be in his future!

Andrew with Dr. Park

After his post-op, PT evaluation and pre-op, we were off to have some fun. One highlight of our trip was the free St. Louis Zoo. If you are ever there, I highly recommend it! It's better than many of the zoos we have been to in the past.

Practicing my photography skills while the kids check out the elephants.

Tuesday was surgery day. Whereas SDR got rid of the spasticity that causes his legs to be tight, PERCS released the shortened muscles caused by the spasticity. The surgeon, Dr. Dobbs, decided to do both hamstrings and both Achilles in order to get him to walk with his knees straight and heels flat, and to hopefully avoid future surgeries for the foot deformities that are already starting to show. Andrew came home with casts on his feet/lower legs and has to wear knee immobilizers so that he heels in the lengthened position.

Andrew did great during the surgery and woke up in a silly, happy mood (thanks to some "anti-freak out" drugs). I am so glad that the anesthesiologist mentioned this medication before Andrew's SDR surgery. In all of the surgeries he had prior to November, he woke up CRAZY... ripping out IVS, trying to tear off casts, screaming, yelling, crying... completely out of control. They gave him this medication during both this procedure and SDR and woke up saying he felt awesome and started making jokes. 

Andrew in recovery. AKA: Andrew comedy hour.

One orange cast, one red

Andrew couldn't wait to see his siblings after waking up.
He asked for a picture with Ben as soon as we got to his room.

PERCS requires an overnight hospital stay. Since the other two kids were with us, Daddy ended up staying with Andrew for the majority of the stay. However, we did utilize the hospital's sibling playroom. We were able to drop off both kids at that room where they played and had fun while we were with Andrew. In fact, once Andrew was up to going to the in-patient playroom in the evening, Daddy and I were able to have some alone time wandering the hospital. It was great to have a little break and we felt comfortable that all three kids were being taken care of.

The next morning, Andrew was released from the hospital. We took everyone back to the hotel room for some much needed rest and then did some sightseeing around St. Louis in the evening. We went to the arch, ate at The Old Spaghetti Factory (one of our favorite restaurants from CA), and had some good family time. We had never seen the arch up close. It is AWESOME.

My daughter under the arch. I can't even begin to describe how big this thing is.

Trying to climb the arch.

Andrew even tried to get in on the arch climbing.

The next day was the beginning of our drive back home. It's just about 13 hours without stopping or traffic, so we split it into two days.  On the day that we left the hotel, we did a little PT with Andrew. We got him up to do some walking and standing and were amazed with how straight his knees are with his feet flat on the floor. He was still pretty sore that day and could only tolerate a short distance in his walker. He also began tolerating stretching. It was awesome to see how straight we could get his knees without much effort. 

Straight-ish knees and feet flat!

Stretching... straight knees!

Tuesday marked 1 week post-PERCS. It's been crazy back at home getting unpacked and back into our normal routine. He went to school on Tuesday and Wednesday for full days, but stayed home Monday and today. He will most likely go back tomorrow and should be fine for a full week next week. We are focusing on therapy right now to help him build back his strength and keep his new range of motion. He is exhausted from healing from surgery, working hard in PT and attending school. I can't wait to see how he progresses over the next few months!

To donate to Andrew's surgeries/recovery/PT, please click this link:
www.youcaring.com/helpandrewwalk

4 Months: Looking Forward

On March 25, Andrew was officially 4 months post-SDR. It's been CRAZY how much he has changed and improved in the last 4 months. He is definitely becoming more confident with his newfound abilities and is trying lots of new things. However, the 5+ days a week of physical therapy is starting to wear on him. The last 2 weeks, we have had a lot of tears and anger over the fact that he has therapy and can't just play and relax after school. Unfortunately, this schedule isn't going to let up anytime soon and we are right smack in the middle of the process of getting him strong so that his next surgery, scheduled on April 7th, doesn't set him back too far.

Even though he didn't want to be at therapy these two weeks, he overall did fantastically at the majority of his sessions. He is really starting to see the results of all of his strengthening. He can stand independently for longer everyday. He can even stand for a short time without his braces (AFOs) on, which is something that was completely impossible for him before SDR. He is not supposed to be doing that a lot since his feet don't stay in the correct position while doing it, but the few times that he has, it has been awesome to see.

Andrew is standing for longer and longer.

New things these last 2 weeks:

• Is more consistently taking 2 independent steps in a row.
• Can stand up from the middle of the floor with minimal or no support, but with spotting for when he loses his balance.

• He can now walk forward, sideways and backwards in tall-kneel without support, which is something that he really really struggled with even a week ago. He still need practice for mastery, but he is ABLE to do it which is huge.
• Standing far more often while only holding on to his walker with only one hand. The hand is used more for balance than anything else. The strength is there, but not quite the balance.
• Get into "criss-cross-applesauce" position easily... and choosing that position over w-sitting or side-sitting.
• He is walking through his transitions from one piece of furniture to another (kitchen table to computer chair, desk to another desk across an open space) by holding one hand on one piece, taking 1-2 step until he can reach the other with his other hand.

• Climbing... Andrew has always been a great climber, but he used to use upper body strength and his knees. Lately, I have "caught" him using his feet to climb instead.
• Running!! It reminds me a little of the movie Forrest Gump. Once Forrest was able to run, that's what he did. Well, Andrew is able to run in his walker now and THAT is what he is doing. 
• Dribble the ball in soccer. He now has enough control with his feet that he is making progress with dribbling the ball down the field while using his walker. 

• Overall, he is taking far less breaks and walking far further distances than he was even a month ago. 

Now comes the next phase in Andrew's journey toward walking. On April 7th, we are traveling back to St. Louis for him to have PERCS. PERCS is a lengthening procedure similar to the one that he had 2 years ago, but it is less invasive and hopefully less painful. Andrew is nervous since he remembers his last hamstring lengthening, but is overall handling it all really well. This surgery should hopefully push him to the next level with regards to his ability and allow him to get his knees completely straight and his heels flat on the floor. 

Please pray for our safe travels (we are making the almost 13 hour drive instead of flying), safe surgery and recovery, and for everyone involved in his care. 

Sledding With CP... A Lesson In Not Limiting Independence

Andrew wants to be independent in just about everything he does. Even though he doesn't walk without assistance, he can crawl up stairs, climb on chairs and counters to access things, independently take a shower, play on playgrounds including inflatable bounce houses and slides, get his own drink, get dressed by himself... the list goes on and on. There are limits to what he can do independently because of his cerebral palsy, but he is constantly pushing the boundaries so he can do more. He wants complete independence with a type of fierceness that I have not witnessed before.

We recently had a snow day. Here in the south, they are few and far between and it is an exciting time for my kids (and the grown-ups too). We have snow pants, boots, gloves and sleds even though we only use them for a day or two every year. You would think that Andrew's  mobility issues would limit him tremendously in the snow. Although he cannot use his walker or wheelchair, he CAN crawl and has always done so during snow play so that he can have that independence.

Crawling through the snow toward the top of a small hill.
His brother decided to crawl with him.

Because of his direct contact with the cold, I make sure he has higher quality snow pants, boots that cinch tightly around his feet, snow gloves that fit well and cinch around his wrists, and layer him up like crazy. He is usually the first to want to go outside to play, but is also the first to want to go inside because he gets cold quickly. However, with his determination and a little creative thinking on my part, he is still able to be like any other kid and do the things in the snow that HE wants to do without Mommy or Daddy carrying him around.

Andrew, age 4, building a snowman with his brother.

Before this year, sledding was something he could not do on his own. It was virtually impossible for him to drag a sled up the hill while covered in snow and ice, get on it, and get it going. However, our other two kids couldn't quite do it independently either, so it didn't really matter for him that we put him on the sled and dragged him up the hill and then got him going. He still got to sled and participate with everyone else. That's what mattered to him.

Daddy and Mommy have spent countless hours dragging kids up hills on sleds.

This year, however, both of my other children figured out how to get the sleds going by themselves and were perfectly capable of dragging them up hills. So, Andrew decided that he was going to be independent with it as well. As much as the mom in me was thinking of all of the difficulties and "impossibilities" that he was likely to face, I remained supportive and allowed him to try. He was able to put the rope in his hand and drag the sled up the smaller hills while crawling. This impressed me, but not nearly as much as when he got his slippery, snow and ice covered self onto the plastic sled, and then used his arms to get himself going. He soon learned that he needed to position himself to the back of the sled instead of the front, but he basically spent all of the snow day sledding down the hills on his own. It was a little bittersweet for Mommy that day since I no longer had to help my kids in the snow and could just sit, watch and take pictures. But, then, I grabbed a sled and joined in on the fun.

Andrew's first attempt at setting himself up on the sled and getting it going on his own.

Andrew has taught me to not limit his independence by pre-conceived notion of his abilities. He can and will achieve anything, even if it means that he has to do it a little differently than most kid.

Side By Side Comparison-Week 3 to Week 13

They say a picture says a 1,000 words. That must mean that a video says 1,000,000. I couldn't help but notice that I have similar pictures and videos of Andrew that I took at 2-3 weeks post-SDR and 12-13 weeks post-SDR. What a difference 10 weeks makes! Plus, I can't believe how much bigger and stronger he has gotten in the last couple of months.

Standing and reaching at 3 weeks.

Standing and reaching at 13 weeks.

He obviously needs a lot less support in the second picture than in the first. Plus, his reach is so much higher and he is soooo much taller. I know the perspective of the picture is different in each, but look at where the bar of the walker hits him on his body. 

Then, there is his walking. We often use going to the mall or the toy section at the store as a way to encourage walking. It's motivating to him. Watch the video of him walking at the mall 2 weeks after his SDR surgery. 

Now, watch him RUNNING through Target on the second video at 13 weeks post-SDR. He is far less wobbly in the second picture. He is also far faster and has to take a lot less walking breaks. We still have a way to go, but progress is definitely being made!

And, finally, the part of this recovery process that I find to be the most frustrating. Before SDR, Andrew had begun to take a few independent steps and was able to stand independently for a short time. He used his spasticity to achieve this, which limited his ability to gain actual muscle strength. I knew that once the spasticity was gone, he would likely lose that ability temporarily while he was gaining strength. The strength in the long term is far better for him and his body than the spasticity was, but it is a slow process that takes a lot of work. It is still difficult, however, for me to see him have an ability and then lose it. However, it is slowly coming back and with better form. These last two videos are extremely important for the impatient me to see so that I can realize that he is making tremendous progress very quickly. Here is him attempting to stand and take a step 2 weeks after his surgery.

And now, here is Andrew attempting to stand and take a couple of steps 12 weeks post-SDR.

Really... WHAT a difference 10 weeks makes. I love having visual evidence that he is progressing and doing so very quickly. I am really curious to see where he will be in another 3 months. 

13 Weeks Post-SDR

The last two weeks have been crazy in this house. First of all, my husband had an emergency appendectomy a week and a half ago... on the day that we had an ice storm that basically closed the town down (we live in the South... ANY ice or snow shuts the town down). Because of that ice storm and my husband's unexpected hospital stay, we were unable to fit in all of Andrew's therapy sessions for the first time since his surgery. He was still able to get in 2 PT sessions, a swim session, played soccer using his walker and used his walker full time at school, but missing 3 PT sessions was not ideal.

This week, we had a snowstorm and the threat of another larger snowstorm. Luckily, even with that, the roads were clear enough and my husband was recovered enough that we were able to get back into the full swing of things this week. Plus, we had a really fun day playing in the snow! Even with the interrupted schedule, Andrew has made good progress in his exercises:

• Andrew decided on his own that he wanted to do an exercise he "created" called Spidermans. This is a harder version of his past leg lifts. It now includes lifting one leg and the opposite hand and holding it up. To everyone except Andrew's surprise, he was immediately able to do a version of it. It was at first sloppy and he couldn't hold it for very long, but after this week's sessions, he is holding it for quite a long time. It is now one of his favorite exercises to do... especially since he looks like a superhero while doing it.

The Spiderman

• Just a few short weeks ago, we introduced half kneels. When he first started this exercise, he was so weak that it took an adult to move him into that position and staying there was impossible. His weak hip muscles caused his legs to flop to the side no matter what he tried. Andrew was completely frustrated by this. So, in normal Andrew fashion, he worked and worked at it. Now, he has mastered getting into the position and can hold it supporting himself (like in the picture) indefinitely and unsupported (hands on his head or to his side while up tall) for a few seconds. We have also started working on him standing from the middle of the floor from this position, which he can currently do with an adult's support and spotting. 

Half kneel.... by himself.

• Independent standing and steps are looking slightly better, but they are still very wobbly and difficult.
• He was able to walk approximately 75 feet with his walker WITHOUT a break! I am amazed that just 11 weeks ago, he could only do about 4-5 steps before needing a break. He is also now  far faster and has much better form than he did 11 weeks ago.
• Speaking of form, he is on his own remembering to get his heels to the floor when walking with his walker. It isn't every time or even 1/2 the time, but he is doing it. Heel strikes pre-SDR were impossible.
• At a doctor's appointment this week, it was determined that he has gained approximately 2 lbs. since his surgery in November. Gaining weight has always been difficult for him and he has been underweight his entire life, even when on a high calorie diet. The doctors have attributed this to the spasticity in his body. Now that it is gone, he is hopefully starting to catch up.

That's all for this week! 

BYE!!

If you are interested in donating to Andrew's therapy and medical expenses, click on www.youcaring.com/helpandrewwalk .

Real Life Super Heroes

I will let you in on a little secret...promise not to tell...

My kids are REAL LIFE SUPERHEROES!! Just ask them. Although, they may not tell you the truth because every super hero knows they need to protect their secret identity.

My kids have a song called "Superheroes" that they created together that they sing all of the time. Daily, they talk about having super powers like super strength and super speed. Benjamin refers to his glasses as his x-ray vision goggles that give him the power to see through things.

One day, Kate came home crying because a little boy was mean to her on the playground. She told us all the story while we were driving home from school. My boys, super concerned with justice, were astounded that she was treated so badly. Andrew, with a completely matter of fact and serious tone asked, "Kate, WHY didn't you use your super strength?" To which she immediately replied, tears streaming down her face, "Because I didn't want him to know that I was a super hero." They immediately decided that this boy was a VILLAIN! A VILLAIN I tell you!! (They wondered why Mommy busted out laughing).

In all seriousness though, I truly believe that my boys are real life superheroes. I know that I am biased...we all think that our kids are the coolest (although in my case, it's true :) ). However, my boys have faced insurmountable odds and have again and again proven that they can rise above what is thrown at them. It's not easy. Most of the time it seems downright impossible. But, then, Ben, who has brain damage in the speech centers of his brain, has a conversation with me where he is actively participating. Or, Andrew takes an independent step, and I am once again reminded at how amazing they actually are.

Ben just came up and independently read this blog post over my shoulder. He then said, "Mom, remember that saving people and getting rid of villains is a good thing. I'm going to save one of my friends." This from a kid who wasn't supposed to talk. At the same time, I am listening to Andrew do his daily post-op physical therapy. He created an exercise he has dubbed "Spidermans," which involves movements that pre-SDR he was not able to do at all.

Real Life Superheroes!!

12 weeks post-SDR

Andrew is officially 12 weeks post-SDR! It's amazing how much life has changed in the last 12 weeks. His wheelchair was a necessity before the surgery. I have not set up the wheelchair in more than a month and it was rare in the 2 months before that. He is a full-time walker user at school and anywhere we go now. He is getting stronger and faster everyday. He is taking less breaks everyday. Exercises that were impossible before SDR and extremely difficult right after SDR have become so easy for him that we have moved to harder versions of them and even left some in the dust. He is back to taking independent steps. He could take a few steps before surgery, but they were the result of him using his spasticity, not strength. Now, the spasticity is gone, so it is actual strength that is allowing him to take steps now. His self esteem has improved significantly. Instead of getting discouraged if something is difficult, he is now saying, "Let's DO this!"

Look at those leg lifts!! Holding for count of 30.
He COULD NOT do this movement at all before SDR.
As in, he couldn't lift his leg up at all.

Drastically improved range of motion for this exercise.
We call these "shark bites."
They have now been replaced by the harder "alligator chomps."

There have been other unexpected results from the surgery as well. Overall, his attitude and attention has improved, even when not on his ADHD medication. He is not getting angry as quickly. He is trying harder on non-preferred activities. I am not sure if it is a reduction in pain in his legs, the increase in self-esteem, or a combination of factors, but I love to see the change in him.

Other changes:

• He no longer has the faulty panic reflex that caused him to curl up when placed on his back in the pool. This has allowed him to learn to float on his back.
• He is now able to begin to learn a flutter kick in the pool instead of the bicycle motion that he did before the surgery. He was so excited that he was able to swim a short distance completely on his own without using his arms.
• No more clonus (involuntary muscle contractions of the legs).
• He can easily push the gas pedal on the power wheels with his foot.
• He no longer needs the "back breaks" on his walker that keeps it from rolling backwards. He has complete control over the walker, even on hills and uneven surfaces.
• He has not used the wheelchair at school once since returning after SDR. 
• He has gained weight. For Andrew, that's amazing. His spasticity was burning off calories at a ridiculous rate. It's gone now and it looks like he might actually be getting enough to allow him to grow. At 10 years old, he is just over 40 lbs. 
• He was able to sit on a regular bike with training wheels and was even stable. He could pedal with help, without foot straps! We've got a ways to go, but are making progress there.
• He has stopped asking for his wheelchair. He's not even sad about not using it anymore. In fact, when I wanted to use it the other day when I was running late, he told me no. I was late to the appointment, but it was worth it.
• Most exciting change of the week? He played in his soccer game with his walker for the first time ever!

If you are interested in donating to Andrew's therapy and medical expenses, click on www.youcaring.com/helpandrewwalk .

Pre-SDR Interview with Andrew

Before SDR, I thought it would be a good idea to film an interview with Andrew to get his perspective on the surgery and what he would like to do in the future. He was incredibly distracted that day, so it ended up being about a dozen blooper reel type videos. I COMPLETELY forgot that I took those videos until I was backing up my IPad the other day and saw them. So, I compiled them together and decided to post it. Sit back and watch.  I found most of it humorous, but there are some parts where you get to see his feelings on the situation. More than anything, this video shows a lot of Andrew's real personality.

Soccer Success

Today, Andrew did something that he has wanted to do for a long time. Today, Andrew played soccer without being in his wheelchair. For the first time ever, he was able to use his walker to play in a special needs soccer game.

Running in his walker. He's getting faster everyday.

Getting to the ball.

Lifting himself up with his arms to kick a goal with both feet.

None of this was possible before the SDR surgery.

Andrew's Top 10

Andrew learning to play the drums.

Andrew and I have been having discussions about the things he wants to do when he learns to walk. He came up with a list of 10 things he would like to do when he learns to walk that he simply cannot do now. These things are activities that most kids take for granted. This kid can't wait to try them.

Andrew's Top 10

1. Be in a marching band.
2. Go on a hike without being carried.
3. Play soccer without his wheelchair.
4. Play basketball with his friends.
5. Take a gymnastics class.
6. Walk into the school without a walker. 
7. Ride an escalator by himself.
8. Go to Disneyworld without his walker or wheelchair.
9. Walk to the park near our house by himself.
10. Learn to ride a 2-wheeler bike.

"Hiking" with his sister on a well cleared, flat trail. He wants to try real hiking someday.

THIS is what we are trying to achieve. THIS is why we chose (with Andrew's input) to do this surgery. THIS is why he is in physical therapy 5 days a week. He wants to be able to walk into a school with his friends and not have to worry about a walker or wheelchair or what the other kids think of those devices. He wants to go to Disneyworld and have the freedom to walk from ride to ride without being carried... to ride rides independently without being questioned about his ability to do so (something any 7 year old typical child has the privelege of being able to do). He wants to go on a hike without having the embarrassment of being in a hiking backpack that he feels makes him look like a baby. He wants to be able to ride his bike with the neighborhood kids... a real bike with only 2 wheels that he can race them on. He wants to take a gymnastics class so he can use that massive upper body strength that crawling for 10 years has given him. He wants to be able to go to the mall and ride the escalator without Mommy having to make plans ton help him do so. And, in high school... he wants to be in a marching band. He has a tremendous love for music and after seeing the Rose Parade this year, he has decided that THAT is what he wants to do. There was even a high schooler in the parade this year who happens to have CP. For a 10 year old who has CP, that is completely and totally inspirational. He wants it. For the first time in his life, he sees that it might be possible. 

Playing soccer in his wheelchair.

If you are interested in donating to Andrew's therapy and medical expenses, click on www.youcaring.com/helpandrewwalk .

Meet Andrew

Andrew has been through more in his 10 years than most people go through in a lifetime. He and his brother Benjamin were born at 26 weeks as two surviving triplets. Their identical brother AJ passed away shortly after birth.

Mommy and Andrew in the NICU at 1 day old.

The boys' bond has always been extraordinary. Here they are on the day Andrew came home from the hospital at 2 months old. Ben stayed in the NICU for another month.

Because of this prematurity, Andrew has brain damage from a brain bleed and a stroke that led to a Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. He uses a wheelchair and crawls as his main source of mobility. Benjamin also has disabilities related to his prematurity.

The boys have always had an amazing bond. Andrew is in the green shirt. This was their 10th birthday.

As Andrew's parents, we have tried many traditional and non-traditional therapies and surgeries to help Andrew achieve his goal of someday being able to walk unassisted. Many of these therapies are not covered by health insurance. In the past, we have tried Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Conductive Education programs as well as traditional physical therapy and hamstring lengthening procedures. 
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is the next step in his path to being able to walk. It is a surgery that involves selectively cutting nerves in order to allow his muscles to work correctly. The doctor that we have chosen for this surgery is the worldwide expert. He works out of St. Louis Children's hospital in Missouri. People from all over the world travel to have this doctor operate on their children. He has a tremendous success rate with a VERY low rate of complications. He is who we want operating on our child, especially for a surgery that has the potential for being life altering. Luckily, this doctor has accepted Andrew and we have our surgery date of November 25th, 2014.

Andrew will need intense physical therapy for a year and a half following the procedure. He will need to be in therapy 5 days a week. Insurance only covers a very small portion of these sessions and we do have a copay for each one. Therapy twice a week with his therapist will cost approximately $6,000. We also have a PT student coming to the house 2 days a week to do the prescribed exercises. Being that the surgeon is out of state, we will have travel expenses for both the surgery and the follow-ups and our insurance deductible as well. We are only trying to raise a small portion of the costs so that he can reach his full potential.
Please help us help Andrew to walk.


If you are interested in donating to Andrew's therapy and medical expenses, click on www.youcaring.com/helpandrewwalk .