Kneeling and Standing

We, able bodies, take positions like kneeling and standing for granted.  But, when you can't do those things, and then begin to...and do it well...wow.  It's pretty awesome. 

Today I caught some video of the Lil' Samsquatch kneeling and standing.  Yes, she's in her suit so that helps, but not until today could she hold a position this long.  She's a champ.

As a side note: Brady is the volunteer today.  I find Sammy growing an affection with him -- and it occurred to me that he looks like David!  As in, cousin David.  Family, any of you agree?  Susan, could Brady be your son?  I think so.

hilarious!

Source: touchoursandwich.tumblr.com via Abigail on Pinterest

Pictures taken in the middle of Olympic dives.  Hilarious!  I love it.  

A Thank You Letter

I was asked to write a letter to the donors at Now I Can, explaining our experience.  I thought I'd write it here as well.  I was also asked to post it on Kidz.


To Whom it May Concern:


When we stumbled across Now I Can, it felt right.  I frequently follow my feelings -- but this feeling required more money than I usually spend, so I did my research.  And our decision was made.  We weren't sure how, but we were getting our Samantha to Utah.


After we decided, we scheduled her session, and miracles began to happen.  The finances appeared little by little.  A place to stay opened up for us (we are from California).  And everything just fell into place.


Upon arriving and beginning therapy at Now I Can, those tiny miracles continued.  Samantha is 5 years old with extremely tight muscles (high muscle tone).  In just 3 weeks, I've seen more improvement in her body and body control than I've seen in over a year!  She stands with increased stability now, flat on her feet a majority of the time.  She stands straight up instead of with her back hunched over.  And she extends her arms out further than she once could.  


Since being here, I've seen many physical changes in her, but I also see a proverbial door opening up for her as she gains control and learns to master her body.  What an incredible gift of increased quality of life.  With each stretch and movement here, her future opportunities are increasing.  She gains better knowledge of the world around her as she gains the proper mobility that enables her to explore it.  Again, what a gift.


Please take it most sincerely when I say Thank You.  Thank you for supporting Now I Can -- a seemingly small facility that brings about incredible change.


Sincerely,
Jeanette G.

Friends

Last week I was able to meet up with some friends.  I was so glad I could.  These are little kiddos I've been wanting to meet for a long time (though there are still so so so many more that I want to meet -- and their moms!).  It was a nice, warm day at the park in Provo.  These are some amazing moms and some amazing kids.  My heart just feels so full thinking about them.

Chrystal, Hunter, and Kaitlin 

Hunter

Chloe

At the swings.

Callie, Chloe, Tara, and Sammy

Chloe and Samantha actually became quick friends.

All of the kids -- Chloe and Sammy gazing at each other, Callie trying to be patient, Kaitlin looking a bit bored, and Hunter just waiting it out. :)

Me and Sammy with the beautiful mountain backdrop.

Jumping Jacks

Well, I'm a little behind on things I wanted to write about.  Oh well.

Yesterday, after therapy, we needed to go have some fun.  We needed to just ~ have fun.  One of the therapists at Now I Can gave me some discounted passes to a place called Jumping Jacks not too far from here.  We went, and we loved it!  Then we hit Cafe Rio.  It was a pretty great afternoon.

Sammy was sooo happy!

And our little dare devil Callie -- she was all about doing it herself .  It was pretty fun to watch her.

So, I like this picture of Sammy because you can really see her standing straighter.  Sometimes I still think "Is this therapy doing anything?"  But then I see this and realize...look at her shoulders pulled back, she's standing straight up, etc.  She may look a little crazy, but she's standing straight.

Aw.  Sammy's so cute.  And ... my hair is brown.

So.  Much.  Fun.

This was just what we needed.  A day of fun.

This is moments before Marcus drops her down the big slide.  She loved it.  Check out the video.



I think this video is hilarious.  Samantha loved the slide, which is great.  But it's Callie that makes this so fun.  She runs up and tackles Sammy after she gets down.  Ahhhh sister love.  Sometimes I'm reminded of just how perfectly imperfect our family is.  I love that Callie and Samantha have this bond that only true sisters have.  It doesn't matter their background...these 2 are sisters ~ in every meaning of the word.

Almost Over?

I cannot believe that the time has passed so quickly. When we arrived, I thought, for sure, that these 3 weeks were going to feel like very long THREE weeks. But, the time has just flown by for me.

Samantha is doing well. She still cries but tolerates a bit more each day. I've wondered if she had a different problem -- like instead of having super tight muscles she had really low muscle tone -- if that would make the experience less painful and difficult for her. I hate to hear her cry and be upset. But, I do know it's good for her. And, admist the cries, she still smiles. She still stumbles when she walks, but overall, I can see that she is more comfortable in a more erect posture. She stands taller and straighter. And, if you think about it, babies learn to stand before they start taking those first steps. So, I'm good with her getting a solid standing posture.

I just can't believe it's Tuesday of our last week. I feel so blessed to have been here. Sergio has a gift and I am grateful he was able to work with Samantha. I look forward to April when we hope to return.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was so fun to read.  I partly wanted to read it because my sister-in-law, Annie, rates this among her favorite books.  But, I have been wanting to read a good, fun book.  This fit the bill.  In the Disney version of Peter Pan, I liked Peter (or I think I did).  In the book though, I found myself annoyed with him.  Perhaps I'm just too grown-up.

It was a fun book that Callie keeps asking me to read to her -- and I will one day.


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