|
|
|
|
Spring is in the air!
|
|
5/4/2010 11:42:23 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is a beautiful spring day here in Dayton, OH and I can’t help but smile knowing how far we have come. May 4th is not only a special day because it is my sweet brother’s birthday, but also because it is the day we left KKI and began our new life in the outside world post-SCI. It was a happy, but scary day.
I am pleased to report that the vast majority of our days are happy ones, not scary. Sure we still have those moments where we are brought to tears wondering why this all happened or wondering how our life would look if it hadn’t, but the truth is Morgan has come out on the other side of all this and remains a happy kid. She and I just returned from our second school trip to Williamsburg. The last one we took was with our dear friends from Carlisle when she was in second grade. That was a hard trip physically for both of us, but emotionally draining for me. I was still in the place of actively grieving what had happened just 14 months earlier. I was desperately wanting things to go back to “normal” and was struggling with accepting our “new normal”. This is no longer the case. Frankly so much time has past that I cannot really remember life any other way and while that thought/realization makes me sad on one level, it also quite liberating. This trip to Williamsburg was a breeze. Morgan and I are so in tune with the demands of her situation that we often communicate without speaking. A stern look from me will remind her to slow down or use her crutches. I gently take hold of the straps of her back brace to serve as her “spotter” as she fights to climb up and down the stairs of the bus, colonial house, whatever. She is aware of my presence, but I’m not sure others are. It comes off as a natural thing. We did bring our transport chair with us, but in true Morgan style she was determined to use it as little as possible. The others parents on the trip jokingly referred to my imaginary baby as I pushed the transport chair all over Williamsburg. In fact, one of Morgan’s classmates was complaining of tired legs and climb in for a ride. Another father quickly got him out of the chair and said “If Morgan can do all this without complaining, you sure as heck can…get up!”. I had to chuckle. She just does it, never complaining, always thankful for what she can do.
A lot has happened since we last wrote. We had a fabulous Spring Break to Florida to visit Ammie and Ampy. The kids loved swimming and escaping the cold, gray Ohio days. Morgan went deep-sea fishing and Connor and I had a day at Disney World with Ammie. Lots of special memories. We also stop by Charleston, SC to see Dr. Glazier. Overall the report was good. We do need to get an MRI sometime soon to make sure there is no tumor re-growth. Because she had a cervical fusion and MRI may be difficult. If the images are too blurry because of the metal in her neck, we may have to consider removing the screws surgically to get a better look. We are sure hoping to avoid that, but if we need to do it , we will travel to Charleston to be in the hands of Dr. Glazier.
Morgan has been accepted into Camp Victory Junction again this year. She is not able to go the same week as her friend Grace, which is a major bummer, but we are so pleased that she will once again be able to experience camp. Morgan just finished her 5th Grade musical, The Nightingale, and did a great job. She and a friend had a duet. Morgan has been taking singing lessons and will be trying out for the local traveling Children’s choir in two weeks. So we ask that everyone send positive thoughts and prayers. As the kids get older so much of their life is taken up by sports that we are hopeful that this children’s choir will give Morgan a hobby and a place to make new friends.
Connor is doing great, playing both soccer and football this season. Today is the grand opening of he kindergarten class’ restaurant. He was quite excited. Both the kids are looking forward to a visit form their grandparents from Texas this weekend. They are flying in for Grandparents Day at the school.
Our summer plans are busy. We are heading down to North Carolina when school gets out. My parents will take care of Connor for us while Morgan and I fly to Philadelphia for our evaluation at Shiners. The kids and I will drive to KKI later that month and meet up with Colin. Morgan will have a week of PT/OT at KKI. We are quite excited to show Elena how strong (and big) Morgan has become.
Other than that we are just plugging along. Can’t believe Morgan is heading into Middle School and Connor will start First grade in the fall. Where does the time go? I can say we had some pretty long days back in late 2005/early 2006, but 2010 seems to be flying by..….
|
|
|
|
|