Power Wheels!

The power chair finally arrived today! Zac has really been looking forward to this. He believed that it would come complete with flames in the back. We said we may find some flame decals, but no, he insisted that they should come out of the back of the chair! Thankfully he was not too disappointed today when it arrived flame-less! I think he was somewhat overwhelmed by it all. We kept it a surprise that today was the day it would arrive. Nana and Papa Ogg decided that a video would be great so they should come too, I think it was a great reason.

As soon as Zac got in the seat he new what to do. I think he remembered from the trial chairs. Thankfully we were able to be outside, he was really wanting to go. There will be a learning curve for all of us. But, he looks like he will get the hang of it soon. I am sure that I will have a few heart attacks along the way. The good thing is that there are some great safety features and speed controls that will help.

We are moving quickly towards walking, but this chair will provide great independence for long distance, etc. He is getting heavier to carry, so this will help with that too. The chair lowers all the way to the ground; he should be able to get on and off by himself. There are also tilt features that may help him to reach things at different heights. All in all it is just amazing that it is here, we are so thankfully for this blessing!

And then they were straight....

Just thought it would be fun to see the progression of Zac's legs...


1) coming home from the hospital 2) 2 months 3) 1yr 4) Aug. 2007 1m post surgery
5)Aug. 2008 post surgery 6) done with both legs, fitted with braces April 2009

Saying goodbye

Zac always wanted to play with Potato Head with this therapist. He even got a new Potato Head as a gift from her today;-)






This therapist brought interesting projects to do, such as planting flowers as they are doing here.







We are feeling a little sad today as we say goodbye to two therapist that have been with Zac most of these past 3 years. Zac will be graduating from the Early Intervention program, and moving onto the Pre-school program. We were not expecting placement in the Pre-school program as he is not developmentally delayed; however they determined that the Pre-school placement would help make transition to Kindergarten much easier, and keep him from any delays as he does not access his education the same way as a typical child.

We have been so grateful to have the therapist, they have kept Zac on track, assisted me with any questions, and provided many solutions. Zac (and all of us) would not be where he is today with out their help! They have made it seem like play, and Cai always looked forward to them coming, too; they would let him help. They have been more than therapist, but family friends! They will be missed!!!

E-mail update 4/24

We are returning to Baltimore for Zac's follow-up from the Fixator removal. He has worn the Spica cast for nearly a month; but the brace was fitted on Wed., which he is now wearing full time. It was a huge relief to get the brace as now Zac can sit and scoot again. I am so glad to have that past us, it was a real challenge!This trip to Baltimore came a little sooner than expected as we thought it would be another week to two. We learned just this week that Dr. Paley will not be in Baltimore through the end of May, but that his last day is on Tues. 4/28. Our choice is to go this Monday or wait until he is in FL. in June. Zac can not wait another month to resume Physical Therapy, so we have no choice but to get there on Monday. Thankfully the brace was able to be rushed and done this week.We have good news on Zac's Power Chair and expect it to be in next week. Hold on everyone...Zac loves to do things "super fast" and "go" "go" should be fun!!-)We are thanking God for His grace and providing all of this to be possible and to be at the end of the process for the left leg!

Thank you all,James, LeAnn, Cai, and Zac

The Fixator is off!

Zac's fixator was removed today...I for one was so happy about that, it has been a long time coming!!! My excitement, however, was dampened a bit when I saw the cast that he has to wear --thankfully for only 2 weeks. It is a Spica cast, which comes all the way up and forms into a waistband. I have heard horrible things about getting them wet and the smell that comes along with that. Like I said, thankfully it is only 2 weeks. The other thing is that he cannot sit up. it should be interesting trying to keep an almost 3 yr old named Zac down for 2 weeks. I was not planning this well as he will be in this cast over Easter. Then his cast will be made removable in order to mold him for the brace. He should have the brace in about a month.

We found out today that Dr. Paley will not be going to Orlando after all as the contract fell through there. He is still considering a place in FL., we should know the next time we come.

I will post pictures once I get a chance. We are at the H-P house at the hospital with limited computer access. I know some of you have e-mailed, but I have not had a chance to respond in part due to our home computer going down with a virus, hopefully all will be recovered this week...including pictures that I have not saved elsewhere!!!

E-mail update 3/09

Dear Friends and Family,

Just a quick update to fill you in on our ever-changing lives. We will be back in Baltimore on March 31st for the removal of the external fixator. This has been a long time coming and we are all looking forward to seeing this fixator go!. Zac's leg will be casted with a removable cast so that we will be able to continue bending his leg a few times per day. (We are now getting about 50% range of motion in the new knee!) Then about 4-6 weeks later he will be fitted with a brace. This is all very exciting as we approach the completion of the process for the left leg. Zac will receive a new brace and a shoe stack for his right leg this week; providing more equal length and stability. I expect to see Zac standing longer and longer once this is in place. Although not yet completed, this is a good place to be in the process!

We have had an unbelievable few weeks as several things have fallen into place in other areas of our lives. God has always provided in amazing ways. With James being out of work for a while, and I only working part time, we have continued the Cobra insurance coverage as without it these surgeries would not be possible. The company that the insurance was through changed benefits carriers which gave us an extra month to make a payment, but then 2 payments were coming due and we were unsure how we would be able to cover both payments. Just in time our income tax return came through and we were able to make the payments! Then the next week James received a job offer and began working the following week. We are praising God for providing these things in just the right timing! James is now an employee of MasTec Advanced Technologies and will be installing DirecTV satellite systems. He is very excited about this as it will use several of the things that he has been training for as well as his natural technical interests. It was such a long time coming after hundreds of applications, and with the challenging job market we are just so grateful!
God is so good -through it all!

Thank you for all of your prayers. We love you all.

James, LeAnn, Cai, and Zac