Happy 5th Birthday Michael and Matthew!

Matthew in "the suit"

This blog is a week late in coming but, Michael and Matthew turned 5 last week.  5!  I can't believe it.  It someone ways the last 5 years have flown by and in other ways, it has been a long 5 years.  When I look back over this time, especially the last year, I am amazed at the progress they had made.  Late in 2012 both boys were able to go through a 3 week intensive therapy called "Therasuit Therapy".  This therapy is like putting 6 months to a year of therapy in 3 weeks.  They both went 5 days a week for 4 hours a day. 
This therapy would have not been made possible without the help of the awesome church community that surrounds us.  We did a fundraiser to raise the money for this therapy.  This therapy costs $7000 EACH!  That is not money I have lying around the house, if you know what I mean.  I thought it would take me months and months to raise this money.  God had other plans.  The money was raised in less than 2 months!  A therapy that I thought they wouldn't be able to do until this summer they both did between October and December of 2012.  When God moves, He moves and I am forever grateful.

Michael in "the suit"
 

This benefits from this therapy has been many.  Increased strength, mobility and endurance to name just a few.  Matthew has become so much stronger.  Michael's confidence has grown and continues to take more and more independent steps at therapy.  Michael also just got discharged from OT (Occupational Therapy).  He is up to speed with any other 5 year old when it comes to his fine-motor skills.  Yeah! 
I could on in more details about the progress the boys have made but, I think video and pictures will speak much better than I can ever do justice.

I also want to give a big thanks to all the therapists who helped the boys through this "boot camp" of therapy.  The therapists at Progressive Pediatrics are the best.  There is not one day that I have been there that they don't have a smile on their face and ready to take my boys.  Love them!

 

 

My boys came into this world 8 weeks early and started life at just a meer 3lbs. 12 oz. each.  Their future was uncertain as they spent the first 7 weeks of their life in the NICU.  Since then we, as a family, have had many ups and downs.  I know these boys have been given this cross for a reason or reasons that only God knows.  Michael and Matthew carry this cross with such grace and joy. They continue to beat the odds and progress beautifully. 

I have posted in my office a poem that was written by Ryan Sprague.  He too, has a son with cerebral palsy.  I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this but, I read this often and think of my boys.

I hope you enjoy it as I do. 

 

The Road He Travels

by Ryan Sprague

 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

But this is the only path I know.

A weary traveler, long I stood,

And wondered if I ever would,

Travel the road where my brothers go.

 

Their way is smoother, but all is fair,

I do not wish them off their road.

In our family, my burden's shared.

It's actually better that they are there.

for from that path they can share my load.

 

I doubt if I'd been given the choice,

That I'd have opted for this trail.

But I might have missed that still soft voice,

That gives me the power to rejoice,

And provides the wind that fills my sail.

 

After many steps along my way,

When at last my final breath is spent.

I'll look back fondly on that day,

When the smoother path was taken away,

And know why mine was different.