My boy is a walker!!

When we met Seth at the institution in September, he seemed eager to show us how much he could do.  While he wasn't walking, he was crawling and pulling up on furniture.  His director told us he thought he could walk, with therapy.  When we went to his baby house, the director told us that Seth is motivated and wants to walk "like the other children".  And in fact, since we've come home, Seth has met and exceeded every goal in our mind.  Seth is one busy boy!  He gets around.  He just does it a little differently than our other children. 

Three weeks ago at Shriners Hospital, Seth tried out the gait trainer for the first time.  Unbeknownst to me, learning to walk is actually quite a complicated process.  We all learn to do it and take it for granted.  But Seth is just learning to take the steps.  Seth has two PT's and they work together to strengthen him, give him confidence in himself and teach him to take steps.  Once that is accomplished, he needs to learn that he can push the gait trainer forward AND take steps.  Then, he'll need to learn to support his weight, push the gait trainer forward AND take steps.  He'll also need to learn to balance while taking steps.  That's a lot to learn, but Seth is on his way to walking.

Here is Seth, today:

Step 1 of a rather lengthy process towards independence.  His day will come.  I believe it will.  Because I don't think Seth will have it any other way.  And determination and motivation are 9/10ths of the battle.  But for now, the big news is, he is walking!  A little boy, who two and a half months ago, was strapped into a wheelchair, is now learning to take his first steps.  I love Shriners motto "Helping Kids Defy the Odds".  A little boy who is defying every one of the odds placed before him.  That's my boy!