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Sunday, July 26, 2009

HKAFO's

As most of you already know, I have KAFO braces. We realized I needed something more to stand up. Although I had these great leg braces that were helping lock my legs and help straighten my left foot, they still were not enough for me to stand up on my own. Mommy made a few calls to the Orthotist in Phx and they placed a call to Dr. D'Astous in SLC to get a script to change my braces to HKAFOs (hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis). Once the appt was made, Mommy was dreading this appt because she knew they were going to have to cast my abdomen and that is something she knew I would HATE.

Here we are getting my back molded. What surprised Mommy was that it was plaster...she expected it to be that other material that they used on my leg casts.













Not a happy camper...I cried alot :( I hated being held down in the same position for that long of a period of time. Then they flipped me over and molded my front side.











I liked the feeling of the squishy stuff in my hands. Notice how I'm kickin it with my hands behind my head. I didn't mind being on my back as they did the casting. I think it's because I could see what they were doing.

This little video is of me giving them a big, "Yea!!" because they are almost done.













Then they outlined my body like it was a crime screen.














2 weeks later we went back to Phx to get my new brace. Daddy was able to come with us which was really cool and fun. Sam had to make a few last measurements before he could finish it.
Taa....Daaa!!!! I am standing!! I had to point out my earrings to everyone just in case they didn't see them.
















I really love standing upright. With Daddy's steady hand, I felt SO tall. Mommy was amazed at how tall I was...it was a very touching moment for her. =)


















I was able to go play with the kitchen at the orthotists office. A little shaky at first...

















Let me see how far I can push it...Daddy's in a sprint to catch me. I'm testing the waters ;-)
















I love this standing thing. I could get used to it.
















This is when Ann came for my first physical therapy appt with the new brace. Now we can get down to business. Here I am trying to swivel my hips.






Giving it my all. Mmmffffff.......














Wow...is that a smile on my face during P/T??



Moving along....





Jade and DonDon came over to see me in my new brace. Boy was I happy to be taller than London finally. Giving him a little love. =)

How about a little kiss too??? No, okay then, I'll show you mister!! Here's a choke hold for ya. Boy, am I little devil sometimes.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Look at you girl! I can't wait to see you again. Seems like it's been forever! Hugs & Kisses!

Aunt Norie

Cassie said...

How exciting! I can't wait to see her progress.

Jessica said...

Look at her go!! That's awesome!

You asked about Gage's symptoms...like everything else, he did not present as "typical". We had the MRI because he was regressing with his walking and muscle movement in his legs, especially the right. His therapist thought maybe a tethered cord, although that's unusual for one so young, but she just knew something was up. The neuro ordered a flow study with the MRI and it showed that NOTHING was moving through there. He said when he decompressed that the brain matter under it visibly bulged out because it now had room to. We don't know for sure if it was that or the cyst causing the problems, but whatever it was, it's now very much improved. He has gained back all of what he lost as far as I can tell. Who knows how long those things have been affecting him!

Anonymous said...

Boy baby are you really getting to be a big girl now!!!i told you everything is going to be ok...

Love ya all

Aunt Sharon in Vegas

Meinhardt Family said...

She is so darn cute! How is she adjusting to the HKAFO's? Does she like them? She looked happy in them!

Saw your post on my page. They did check for tethering, but it all looks okay. I guess we just have to wait it out and hope it improves. It has improved over the past few months. She used to lean so much. She seems to be getting straighter and straighter.

Thanks for checking in. Love your blog! Ciaran is such an amazing little girl!