Monday, February 7, 2011

Outwardly Mobile

Thank you! Thank you for all of the encouraging words and comments.  Knowing that my blog is appreciated helps me keep writing.  I'm going to ask (a bit self-consciously) that if you like my blog you please share it with friends who might like it also?  Thank you.

Last week Matteo tried out an assisted walker for the first time.  It enables him to get the idea and motion of walking without having to balance at the same time.  He did really well in therapy, so we were able to bring it home for the week.  It's been a great week!

Matteo has always loved to be outside.  No matter where we are, if there's a door, he's heading for it.  But, being outside with him has meant him sitting in the stroller or crawling on the grass.  While he loves the stroller,  it doesn't do much for getting out his boundless energy.  And while the grass is fun to touch feel and eat, he is always trying to crawl to the driveway which is really hard on his knees.  I was thrilled to try out the walker.  So, while the rest of the country has been snowed in, we've had spring-like weather all week.  It's been a perfect time to get out.

I think my expectations may have been a bit high on our first outing.  Somewhere in my mind I envisioned us walking up the street, visiting a neighbor and maybe having a nice stroll around the block.  Reality was somewhat different.  We went for a 45-minute outing and got all the way to the corner and back. We live one house from the corner.  That means we averaged one house every 22 minutes, give or take.  At that rate our stroll around the block would be an all-day affair.  While we wouldn't win any races, Matteo had a wonderful time.  He laughed every time the wind blew his hair and did a little dance when a car went by.  It was magical to see him so happy.

The best day came on Sunday.  We went to our neighbors' house to watch the Super Bowl.  They have a long, flat and gated driveway that's perfect for little ones to ride their scooters and tricycles up and down.  Matteo had his walker and for the first time he was able to interact with the other kids.  He laughed when they wheeled around him and followed after as best he could.  He was so happy!  It also gave me some relief.  I didn't have to carry him or follow after him as he crawled around the house.  He could play and I could visit with friends. In many ways it lifted a burden from my shoulders and allowed me to just be me.  We had a great day!

4 comments:

  1. Can't wait to see him in his walker. We will take him to the park and see how he likes it.

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  2. Hi! I'd love to see a full photo of the walker. My Ben had something similar about 25 years ago that was specially built for him and paid for by the local Elk's club and Wisconsin Cerebral Palsy. Giving him this freedom for just a little while is great for both you and the little guy. I remember the crawling days outside. More shoes were worn out that way! lol The soles were never even scuffed!

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  3. What a brilliant, happy day for both of you. I can't say that I 'enjoy' your blog Genevieve because I feel for all your and Matteo's struggles but it is helping me to be more aware of how I relate to people and the judgements I make. Keep blogging, you are a good writer. Love to Matteo and Malia from Great Uncle Patrick

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  4. That picture says it all. Genevieve just wait until he gets the swing of it. You won't be able to keep up!

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