Just a year ago...

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of Griff's big surgery last summer!  Hard to believe it has been a full year.  This time last year we were meeting with Dr. Parks in St. Louis preparing for the long week ahead and hopeful for all the benefits from the surgery.

This is Griff just before surgery last summer.

Here is Griff just 2 weeks after surgery with Ms. Laura.  His legs were so weak that he could not support his weight.  We spent about 2 months in a wheelchair before he could use his walker again.

So, where are we now, a full year later.  Well, Griff has started walking with walking sticks at therapy!  Our goal is to be done with the walker by the end of the year.  He really needs practice on the stick.  He needs minimal support, but does lose his balance some on the sticks.  I'll get a picture of him on the sticks next week and post.  Ultimately, we still think he will walk independently and the sticks are certainly a huge step towards that.  The walker, while it provides great independence, is really a fun toy for him.  He sits on the back, does tricks, glides down hills on it, and is a human bulldozer when he has it.  The boy can really fly on that thing.  The problem is, he uses his upper body more than his legs.

Therapy continues to go well and we have settled into our summer routine.  Hip Hop was a no go for Griff.  He would have nothing to do with it!  But, he is getting his regular OT and PT twice a week + Saddle Up! for therapeutic riding + Saddle Up! for hippotherapy + swim lessons.  Tuesday is his therapy day off :)  Above is Griff on Piggy for his therapeutic riding.  He is with 2 of the wonderful volunteers there and learns all about horses and plays games.

Above is hippotherapy.  Notice he is riding backwards and without a saddle.  This really involves the core and forces him to balance.

He is sitting in the other room right now with his braces on.  We are at the 2 hour mark.  He does better when I am not in there.  I think we are on our 3rd Team Umizoomi episode :)

And, can not leave out the girls.  Here is everyone with Grandmom on our Florida trip.
Happy Summer all!  Stay cool!
~Martha