Many
New Adventures!!!
It
has been a while since my last update and a LOT has happened since then. Ben hit his 1 year post op anniversary full on
and threw himself into all sorts of things.
Ben
& Jacob began karate back in September, both really enjoying it and full
taking part. We took both (nervous) boys
up for their grading on Sunday 26th February – Ben was a little more
so then Jacob.
The
grading began – The boys worked so hard, Ben managed to stand (not fall) for 50
minutes, he did get a 2 minute break when he asked me to rub his feet. Then it was all over, we waited for Mark to
read the results. Jacob came first –
10/10
& 6 Gold stars – meaning he had excelled in 6 areas.
As
for Mr Ben well....
10/10
& 3 Gold stars – I of course burst into tears, to say we were proud was an
understatement. Ben was so pleased, as
was everyone in the group.
In
May they both for their Orange Belt Grading and again both passed.
This
would not have been any way near possible before SDR!
The
next major event this term was our first visit to IGS (Ilkley Grammar School)
Ben is due to start in September 2012!!!!
Along
with the Learning Support Team & school it had been decided to try Ben out
with a couple of half/full days as to see exactly how & if he manages to
get himself around. He was really keen
to do this but as the day finally arrived he changed his mind. After a long chat he agreed to go and see how
he got on. So we pulled up to the school
& we met Mrs Brayers and he was off.
I had charged & top up his phone & asked him to text me at break
time just to see how he was going. I
checked my phone at break & no message! I did panic a little but there was
nothing I could do. I checked again at
the end of break and there was a message ‘Having fun ;)’ I was ecstatic he
was so happy. I didn’t get the full
lowdown till after school as he was picked up by Grandad Rob and taken straight
back to school for lunch. But I could
tell he loved it so much so he was going back next week but for a full day. The following week was the same he loved it
and the school was really happy with the way he managed to get around and there
were no problems – so it’s all looking good for September. He does have 1 more day in June when all the
children who are due to start in September go up for the full day – so that
will be interesting.
Ben
has a 2 more visits to IGS in June but these are with the rest of his school
and are more fun than just before!
Ben
was also looking forward to the SDR party in March in Daventry. 90 families 76 Dr Parks’s patients, 3 Mr
Aquilian’s patients & 11 pre op. We
were all so excited to be able to finally meet face to face all the wonderful
people who have been supporting us through our SDR journey & family who we
have helped too, it was going to be great for everyone.
We
had arranged to stay in the hotel Friday night as well as Saturday so as soon
as Damian was home from work we were off.
2 hours later we were checked in and talking to some of the families who
were like us there for both nights. I felt
great been able to speak to so many friends who have all been on the same
journey – if somehow all also a little different in their own way.
It
was one of the best weekends we have ever had I think Ben put it in the best
words possible – ‘For once I felt ‘Normal’ the same as everyone else...
We
had chance to catch up with all our friends, The Wardleworth’s, The Whitton’s
& The Lawrence’s, The Storr’s to name but a few. We spent the evening sharing stories,
laughing & joking and meeting Dr Park for the first time in over a
year.
Calendar
News sent a cameraman to follow us for the first part of the evening –Click
here to see it!
Thing
we all going well and things seem to settle down and we had a calmer time. Ben contained to improve his mobility still
only using his walker on a Friday lunchtime for football, I wish he would realize he can do it as well if not better with his crutches.
Ben
has also started to run, He surprised not only me but also his physio and ran
down the drive – he was amazing a quite quick too. I will post a video soon.
We
still have the endless struggles of getting good shoe inserts that support his
feet and easy to get in and out of his shoe and also shoes that give him the
support he needs for his weak ankles!
We
also looked into our return to St Louis – this is not essential but we feel that
we will all benefit from returning.
Hopefully get Ben inserts sorted and a couple of PT session and also to
see all our friends. Plus the weather
will be 100% better and warmer.
I
can’t quite believe Ben has only 6 weeks left at primary school, the time has
just flown – Then starts another big chapter in Ben Journey!!
Who
knows what will happen next in Ben SDR adventure but for sure his future is
looking a whole lot brighter!!!
