To preface this story I must say, I love to research. I love to go against the grain; to swim upstream against the current. Having been told repeatedly by the 'experts' that I just needed to wait patiently and that Colden would 'get there' eventually, I put my PT hat on and got to work online.
Somewhere in my research I came across the notion of gait training; that is, strapping my 15-month-old son to a harness and moving his legs along a treadmill to mimic the concept of walking. In major markets, many private PT practices might have this equipment. After calling around, I found that our area had only ONE, at Children's Hospital downtown. It didn't matter that it was a 45 min drive or that I had to pay out of pocket, I called and booked the first opening they had.
That very first time in August our gait trainer sang to Colden as he marched in socks because he didn't even have proper footwear for walking yet. I was hooked.
I knew that very day that this was going to be something he would really benefit from. So began the arduous process of getting it approved through EI. A few weeks later, and poof, it was officially part of our plan, and no longer a responsibility of our insurance.
After about a month of making the 1.5 hr trek round trip, I started to question whether or not it was worth it. Colden was tolerating it, and even moving his legs on the treadmill, but he certainly hadn't mastered it. We would go, he would hang, occasionally move his legs, and that was it. I really began doubting the piles of research I had supporting this technique. The next month I forced myself to bring him simply out of routine- this was supposed to help, and come hell or high water, I was going to keep going.
Walk walk walk, Colden...
On the afternoon of October 24th, Colden was strung up in his harness like any other day. For whatever reason, this day was unlike any other. Our gait trainer noticed something different right away. She said he was really pushing off the treadmill and that she wanted to get him walking on 'land' (i.e. not the moving treadmill) immediately.
'Flying' towards land...
What happened next was magic. The kid just took off. Ohhh, and guess who got it on video? {this mama is bursting with pride!} Have a look at our sweet boy's very first steps, EVER.
Here he is that very same day showing off his new walking skills for Daddy.
Seeing his progress one week later, our gait trainer sent us home with the ricketiest, oldest aluminum walker circa 1970 I'm sure. I used an entire can of disinfecting wipes, and I didn't come close to removing all of the stickiness; but it doesn't matter. I feel honored to have been bestowed a piece equipment that's seen countless children before Colden take their first steps. What a treasure. Check it out here- have you ever seen a cuter walking skeleton?
Ever since that afternoon, Colden has been a walking machine. He giggles and genuinely gets excited about walking. It's by far his newest and coolest favorite thing to do. I've thanked the big guy upstairs ten times over for keeping me motivated when I just wanted to quit taking him (did I mention parking at Children's is hell?). I am so grateful that I just kept going, because I now associate and credit gait training for his desire and ability to walk on his own two legs.
Gait training is a total walk in the park for Cool Breeze now. It won't last much longer, most likely just until he's taking his own independent steps. I'll be sad the day we move on. Colden has become quite the little star roaming the hallways at Children's. Even the sweet therapy pups stop to admire his progress (it's Halloween in this pic, hence our gait trainer turned pirate).
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm just in awe of what this kid can do. We are so proud of your major mobility milestone, Cool Breeze. It's such a delight to see you so happy and proud of your own accomplishments, too.
'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' - Lao Tzu (ancient Chinese philosopher).
No comments:
Post a Comment