Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Walkers - Full Circle


Bennett is still a long way from walking independently. However, he has made some really good progress in the last couple of weeks. He has been pulling to stand, crawling and climbing over obstacles and has even done a little (very little) cruising. You can definitely see he's getting the idea and is more motivated.

We got the walker from our physiotherapist a couple months ago. The idea at this point is to just get him used to it. He's liking it more and more and was bugging me this afternoon to go in it. I'm glad that he likes it. I have mixed feelings about it but mostly I don't mind. I see it as a tool that will help him learn to walk - not a reminder of his disability, and hopefully, one day we'll be able to send it back.

Above is a picture of me - about 7 months pregnant - sorry for the nightgown - that's all I wore because it's all I had. I couldn't get out of my house to go maternity clothes shopping. I did not have a good relationship with my own walker after the accident. The thing drove me crazy because of wheels that kept breaking and because it wouldn't fit through doors. I even threw it across the kitchen a few times. I was so happy to get rid of it - I never wanted to see another walker again. And yet, here we go - another damn walker in the house.

By the way, that is not me in the video below. It's Sarah - a wonderful young woman that we've hired to help with Bennett's physiotherapy. I think he's totally in love with her and will pretty much do anything she asks.


9 comments:

Kiera said...

Go Bennett! He looks like he is having so much fun in the walker! I can understand your hate relationship with a walker. I am sure that Bennett will surprise all of us at how well he does with all of the new skills.

That is so exciting that he is pulling up on things! Yay Bennett!

* ~ *Jessica* ~ * said...

I'm glad your feelings towards the walker are more positive than negative. When Logen was using one, I kind of resented it (thats the nice way to put it). I viewed it as evil, b/c my kid shouldn't have to have something like that in order to walk. He didn't use it much, and maybe it was b/c he sensed my feelings towards it.
Moral of my story... I am so glad you don't view it like I did!!! I think Bennett will work wonders with the walker. And we will pray that soon he won't need it anymore :)

Kara said...

WoW!!! He's doing so great! Way to go Bennett!! You can see how happy he is with himself too!

I'm so glad that you're seeing the walker as a means to help Bennett get to independant walking and not as something negative. I had issues with a little rolling therapy chair that I was once given at CTC for Kasia. I hated it and used to hide it in a back room every time we had company over. It reminded me of a tiny wheelchair and it used to hurt me when I saw her in it..... until the day I watched her move herself across the kitchen floor in it and saw the realization in her eyes that she was in control of her own body! That's when I quickly got over my own feelings about it.

And by the way...cute nightie! haha So sad, but I think I had the same one!

Dawn said...

First of all love your pregnancy profile! ;) I'm a nut for prego bellies, but don't worry I never felt up a strange person or a friend without permission even.

Bennett looks great! Look at him go! You must be so proud of him. WTG Big Boy!!

Katy said...

He'll be off ot the races in no time!

I'm glad you don't mind the walker--really, you put it best in this post although I don't think you realized it. Disability is part of the human condition. Some of us are always disabled, some of spend some time disabled, and other of us are disabled for a time.

Popcorn House said...

He is doing SUPER good! Go Bennett, he looks like he is so proud of himself too!

Unknown said...

Great work Bennett -and mom - as part of the cheerleader section. This is so exciting! I can see such progress.
Love to you all,
Auntie Bonnie

Anonymous said...

Hi Bennett,
you did GRRRREAT walking this weekend when you were camping. Grampa and I went to visit for a while. I was even able to take you for a stroll (in the stroller)(better qualify that, you were in the stroller and I was pushing) around the block. After supper you and your daddy showed off for us. With your daddy's help you were walking all over the place, at the expense of your poor daddy's back. Of course, Grandpa took a turn. Mommy and I were so HAPPY. You were smiling and I was tearing up
and I thought that your mommy's face was going to break from smiling. Lol. Way to go!
Lots of love, hugs and kisses
Grandma and Grandpa

Mummu and Poppa said...

Greetings!

Everyone and everything (walkers included) have a place and a time.

... look how Mommy has progressed!

We do look forward to the one day soon when Bennett will be 'motoring' on his own and 'then move over world here he comes'.

All the days 'inbetween' are very rewarding with 'lots of love' being passed around.

Lots of Love and God Bless!
Mummu and Poppa
xxx ooo xxx ooo