Sharing our story...

I had the opportunity to share our story with 60 homeschool students and their parents. It went well, other than me shedding a few tears. Why do I always cry? It really can be a hang up. I do hope to refine the presentation and have the opportunity to do it again sometime. The focus of the talk had to do with God's plan and purpose for our lives, using Psalm 139:13-16, and Jeramiah 29:11. God creates us for a purpose, and uses our differences to mold our lives and help ourselves and others grow. I am thankful for this opportunity, and for the blessings of all the miracles that we have seen along the way!!!

Dr. Visit

We've returned from another follow-up with Zac's surgeon. This was the first one in FL. It was so nice to spend time with family and friends. We have not been able to travel to FL in over 2.5 yrs; both of us have siblings, and I have extended family that live less than an hour from Dr. Paley's new institute. We had a great time. Zac has never been to the beach, and Cai has only been once before. They loved it! I will have to post pictures later.

Dr. Paley gave us a good report. He does not believe that any procedures need to be done at this time. He was very happy with Zac's efforts and progress toward walking. We will proceed with the Physical Therapy and efforts to walk. Dr. Paley expressed very confidently that Zac will walk without assistant devises. He did however recommend a helmet when attempting to walk on his own. We are proceeding to order the walker that he is now trying in PT. I was overcome with emotion today as I saw Zac walk in that walker. It was amazing to see him walk himself closer to a toy in the waiting room that he could reach for the first time, standing on his own two feet! We are so blessed to witness these miracles first hand. God is so good.

We are now on a 6 month follow-up schedule with Dr. Paley. Each visit will determine if anything needs to be done based on growth, and Zac's mobility development. It is a good place to be; and I don't think there is anything that we would do differently. We are so thankful that we had this option with such an amazing surgeon, especially when we see Zac standing and now walking (with a walker)!!!

2 Quick things:

1)We are headed to FL next week for Zac's follow-up apt.

2)Zac walked on Friday in a walker. This walker has a harness that is attached to a bar with a regular walker base. We are trying it to see if we want to order it...so far so good! This is actually not just a trainer, but a mobility devise.

Please pray for one of our support kids family....

My heart is heavy as I post this. One of our kids on the TAR support group (also named Isaac) passed away. It is hitting way too close to home! I think when they are doing so well, we forget about the dangers of having low platelets. I just can't stop crying right now. Please pray for this family.

The post on the TAR Support group site:
"It with great sorrow and tears that I write this email. Isaac passed away yesterday. He fell Saturday and hit his head. Trauma was worse that what we expected and his brain would not stop swelling. We wanted everyone to know as we know many people do not take the paper.

Services will be at Debaun Funeral Home on Wednesday July 15 from 4 pm - 8 pm. Funeral services will be help at 10:00 am Thursday morning." Christa Foust

Her is a link to the obituary: http://www.legacy.com/tribstar/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=129713337

High Point Enterprise news article, June 14, 2009

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!