Better Late Then Never

Five years ago I had a lot of questions. I wondered what Matthew's life would be like. I wondered how his little foot would impede him, where it would take him, if it would even change his life. We had so many questions, so few answers.

Now, I have met a mom online who has a little boy who is almost two who has a neuromuscular clubfoot like Matthew. She has many questions as to what her son will be able to do and so few answers.

With so few kids with the unique problem of clubfoot and nerve damage, it is hard to know what will be, but today, I can give her one answer. See, she and her family love to snowboard and have been wondering if her son will be able to enjoy the sport as they do. We also wondered about skiing with Matthew.

Here is what happened yesterday at Canada Olympic Park. Finally, for the first ski season, Matthew was not in a cast, not awaiting surgery, and the bones in his foot were perfectly aligned so he could use it pain free. So, I signed them up for their first ski lesson.


Matthew caught on quick, Ryan took a bit longer but they are both hooked and want to go back.



And the absolute best part...

Despite the rental boots being rear entry, I was able (with some finesse and some force) get his AFO into the boot AND it felt comfortable!

After their lesson and their begging for one more run (even though the temperature was -18 C/-0.4 F) we celebrated with a hotdog and fries. I asked what they thought of skiing. This says it all.


Where will this little foot take him? As of yesterday, to the ski hill. And tomorrow is full of possibilities.

Grotto Canyon

Sunday morning. Sunshine and blue sky as far as the eye can see. Glorious. To glorious to spend in the city. They boys felt it too and begged to go hiking to Grotto Canyon. Didn't take much convincing.

Approaching the mouth of the canyon.

In late summer/early fall, this canyon is easy enough to traverse. We avoid it in the spring and early summer. As you can imagine, the creek crossings become more difficult with spring runoff. Now, they are just so much fun for a 5 and 6 yr old. No wonder they beg to hike the canyons!




The rock is worn smooth where the water rushes by in the spring. It is slippery and so much fun! Imagine the power of that water.




Up to the falls.






Not much water, but more then I expected as it has been so dry here for weeks.




Onto the dry part of the canyon, the geocaches and the 'cave'. In past trips, the boys have begged to climb to the 'cave' but we have always said no. This time, we let them go.








It was rather steep and a few dangerous spots. Here is a rare photo of me waiting at the mouth of the cave (rather just a very very large opening) waiting to assist the boys back down through the steepest, slippery spot.






The safest way down.




Looking back.












After a long day. Ryan crashes, Matthew...never.



















What a wonderful day. Nothing recharges my batteries like a day hike in the mountains. Ready to take on the week.

Keeping My Eye on the Prize

Matthew has been sobbing off and on all morning. He does not want to go to physio today. Makes it hard as a Mommy to continually take your child places that they don't like for the simple fact that it hurts.

He has spent the better part of the morning curled up in my lap, big tears rolling down his face begging me, pleading with me, making deals with me to get him out of it. I have tried explaining why and I think deep down he knows. Just some days are harder then others.

I find a lot of inspiration in song lyrics. Nickelback's song, If Today Was Your Last Day has some pretty powerful lines. I love the line

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight

Yup. Always worth the fight. And we are off to do battle. Off to the orthotist to see if we can come up with a solution for the extra ankle room, then off to p/t. Today it does feel like a battle, but one that we will win.

"If Today Was Your Last Day" - Nickelback

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

The Power Of One

If you haven't seen or heard of this yet, it is a must see.

At a recent music festival in Washington, Collin Wynter (from Calgary) did what many do. He felt the music and he got up and danced. Not unusual at a music festival. His dance moves were unconventional and I am sure that the person who started videotaping it was doing so in order to ridicule him.

What was unusual, and what I find uplifting and inspirational is what happened next.


If I had a wish today, it would be that this leads our thoughts and our actions. Instead of worrying what others think, we do. We embrace others uniqueness, and join in.

The power of one.

Simply Joy

Matthew went back to school yesterday for the first time in almost 4 weeks. He was like a celebrity with all his buddies crowding around checking out his latest cast and saying hi. He had a big grin on his face.

Funny thing, so did Ryan. I think he enjoyed watching Matthew back with his friends as much as Matthew did. For Ryan, it meant that life was back in order. The end of what I am sure was chaos for him.

After school, the boys played on the hill outside the school. It was cool out and all the other kids had gone home. I asked if they wanted to go and have lunch. Both of them said no. They were having the best time finding bad guys, chasing them, hiding from them...playing.

And I had the best time watching the joy on their faces. What else could a mom ask for.

Inspiration

Have you seen the cover of the latest Good Housekeeping magazine?



Absolutely and whole heartedly agree with Michael J. Fox's quote.

"Happiness is a decision."

Nuff said.

On a side note, my poor Matthew. He is in a full left leg cast, bandaged right hand from his minor surgery, and now, because of the massive doses of antibiotics (I think he is getting massive doses so we can finish before we leave on Sunday seeing the stuff needs to be refrigerated) he now has diarrhea. And we had just mastered balancing on the toilet with that cast. Poor kid, hasn't even complained.

Alvin Law

I had to smile this morning when I opened the paper. There was a picture of Alvin Law and his wife. If you don't know who he is, I suggest you check out his website. You won't be sorry.

When I was growing up, everyone around my house knew Alvin Law. Not sure if it was because he was sort of a local celeb in Saskatchewan, or because my older brother, who had Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy (a terminal genetic disorder) went to Easter Seals Summer Camp with Alvin for many summers, as well as both being involved in the Telemiracles in Saskatoon.

I crossed paths with him again about 10 years ago. He is now a motivational speaker for schools, and he spoke at the junior high I was teaching at. He is very good at what he does. The kids were captivated. As was the staff. I actually had to leave the gym at one point... it hit a little too close to home and I needed a breather.

That was the moment that his photo in the paper brought me back to this morning. At one point in his talk, he asks the audience to close their eyes and he starts to play a song on the piano with his toes. You have your eyes closed. You hear beautiful piano music. You KNOW that he is on stage alone and playing with his feet, yet the wonder of that moment doesn't hit you until you open your eyes and actually SEE it.

Alvin Law had so many hardships and so many strikes against him, and yet, he found a way to do things that people did not think possible. He did them as only he knew how. With no arms, he did things with his feet. He knew nothing else in life. He just did.

I know, Matthew's problems pale in comparison to what Alvin faced, and still faces. But yet, in a small way, I related them this morning.

Matthew was playing in the basement. His laughter took me away from my morning coffee and paper. I followed it and found him at the foot of the stairs kicking a ball up to the top, laughing as only a child enjoying life can. He would drop the ball and up the stairs it would fly.

At first, all I saw was his foot. Standing on the side of it, twisted and unbalanced. It looked awful, and yet, he was doing as all 6 year old boys do. Then, I heard the ball hit the top and heard his laughter as the ball came back down.

Matthew taught me yet another lesson this morning. There are many paths to a goal. Sometimes you need to close your eyes and listen. The laughter tells you when to open your eyes to the wonder.

My New Mantra

I found this today. It is my new mantra.

Myspace Quotes Graphics

Because really, that is all we can do. And as I often say, it is laugh or cry.

I prefer to laugh.