AMAZING!!!!!!

I know I have only just blogged but sometimes there is a need and never more so then yesterday & today.

Yesterday the Educational Psychologist came to have a chat with Ben & I, as I was concerned about his state of mind and aggression towards me.  She was amazing listen to Ben asking him a few questions & then we had a chat.  She made everything so clear for me and even told me a few things that I didn’t know.  I now feel we can move forward and have a happier time at home especially as the summer is here.

After she left we only had a quick 20 mins to have tea, drop Jakey off at Grandma’s and get ready for Tag Rugby.  Ben as always got to the door and walked down the steps then he did this!!!!!!

He walked into the leisure centre (he usually goes in his chair) then he walked out and when we got home I stop the car half way down the road and he walked down the road and drive to show Damian when we got home.  I can’t quite believe that he has just decided that this is the time to walk, I am also hoping that he continues and grows in not only strength but confidence.

Today when I went to collect him from school, I went into school as usual to collect his crutches & sticks as it was the end of term – to my utter amazement his walker was also there.  Ben then arrived in the lift, with only a school bag.  He then took great pleasure in tell me he had walked all day with NOTHING and only used his walker a break times!!!! OMG I was in shock – he then told me to bring everything to the car and walked off out of the door.

This is a huge milestone for Ben, we are so very very proud of him & hope he continues this way

Charlotte xxx

 

Ben 10 !!

Well 10 years ago today at 2:46am Ben made his very early arrival into the world. It was a rough couple of weeks before he was finally allowed home.  Each day he grew stronger, we always knew he had developmental delay due to his early arrival but did not realise he had Cerebral Palsy until we were told when he was 2 ½ years old.  I still feel immense guilt that we didn’t realise that he had CP early as he missed out on so much early intervention that maybe things would have been different – But no sense in looking back nothing much is ever gain in that... Since then he has had many many challenges in his life, never more so then this year.  Ben always puts his all into things but this last 6 months have really pushed him to his limits on severally occasions.   

Since our return from Ben was on a ‘High’ for about a month then the realization of daily physio session & missing bits of lessons and the changes with his body all got understandably to much for him.  But after that minor blip he made huge progress and we are now in ‘unchartered water’, Ben has never walk with crutches before and since he was given them 3 weeks ago he had never looked back.  Ben is a little apprehensive to let go of his walker but I’m sure he will once his confidence grows.  He does still uses his walker for playtimes and playing out but I feel that it is not too far away from the day when the walker will go into the garage alongside the wheelchair – which is just mind-blowing to think it, is so near.  Ben had his first ever sleepover on Saturday – he invited 4 friends over, it was great to see him and his friends playing & talking till the early hours, no to be fair they were fine very well behaved.   

These boys have know Ben since he was 2 years old and although they may not all be hanging round together 24/7 they are a great bunch of boys, I’m so pleased Ben has them to call on when he needs them. 

Ben came home with his end of year school report we were overjoyed with what it said, Ben has made ‘HUGE’ progress this year even with all that has gone through this year.  We were told that SDR would allow him to think more clearly as he does not have to constantly fight against the battle of everyday life with the spasticity going on in his body, this is the proof!!!

Being 10 is a huge milestone for Ben as things start to change not only with his body but school; Year 6 is a hard year for anyone let alone a child like Ben. Be I know that he will throw his all into it and doing amazing well. 

Who knows what the next 6 months have in store for Ben, 2 holidays, catch up with our Calendar friends, no walker!!!! & maybe a new member to the household – one of the furry kind!!!  The future is in his hands & I know he will be fine.

Thank you so very much for all your wonderful birthday wishes for Ben today - he loved them.

Happy Birthday Ben – Well ALL love you for being you xxxxx

6 Months ago!!!!

Well 6 months ago yesterday Dr Park & his team changed Ben's life forever....
It has been one hell of a rollercoaster ride not just the 5 weeks in America, but once home the daily physio routine for Ben has been really hard for him to adjust too.

Ben plays Wheelchair Tag Rugby & got to meet Lee Smith from Leeds Rhinos!

Ben has, as always thrown himself into his new life, but with a few glitches along the way - which to be fair was to be expected.  Ben has made HUGE improvements over the past few months - even the small things are amazing to see develop.
We have so many many people to thank for their help and ongoing support along the way.  Dr Park, Dr Dobbs & their teams for not only accepting Ben but making one of the hardest decision we have ever made seem easy and so right for Ben.  To Deanna & Dr Park always being there to answer our question even from the across the Pond!  To the Wardleworth family, for your ongoing support & friendship we are so very lucky to have you in our lives.  To all the other SDR families who are on call 24/7 via Facebook & phone, it’s is so wonderful to have a whole community on hand for even the smallest of question – we thank you so much.  To our family you are just amazing, always there for us we could not have done this without your love & support Thank you xx
Jacob our wonderful little man, you have been a great support for Ben throughout his journey so far, always there to get his crutches or just to play footy outside your are our wonderful star.
Finally to our wonderful Ben, what can we say – we are so very very proud of you and what you have achieve so far on your journey.  We know it has not been as easy as you thought.  We know it has been hard work and now you are starting to feel more confident and so much stronger.  We love you so very much and can wait to see what happens over the next 6 months – you take our breath away with your strength & determination.
Charlotte xx