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They have now been replaced by the harder "alligator chomps."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 .