Saturday, July 31, 2010

The Goodbye Boy

(Rob writing) You haven't really had a proper goodbye wave until you've had one of Aaron's.

Aaron's disability makes it difficult for him to raise his arms. His shoulder muscles are thin and weak from disuse, and I've read that the tendons in his shoulders may be malformed or misplaced. Both arms usually hang limp in front of him. When he can, he uses his feet to manage things.

He is able, however, to raise his arms a bit and manipulate things with his hands. He can turn the pages of a book with his arms-- it's best to hold the book low for him-- and he can click the button on a computer mouse. It costs him a great deal of effort to raise an arm. When he does, he arches his back, puffs out his chest and sort of tosses his arm into the air. This move is almost always accompanied by a toothy grimace. I think the grimace is one of effort, not of pain. He grimaces each time he turns the page of a book, but he's never reluctant to turn a page.

All of this makes for the best goodbye wave you've ever seen. He thrusts his arm into the air, and the grimace transforms into his trademark smile as he cheerfully waves goodbye. Ever since we left him, I haven't been able to get that picture out of my head.

9 comments:

  1. I hope soon he will be using those arms to wave hello to you and wrap them around you in a bear hug!! I'm continuing to pray for you all.

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  2. We were so sad to come back from vacation and find you home so soon. We're praying for you, reading every word you write, trusting the Lord to use the very best means to the very best end. May you get to see MANY, MANY more of Aaron's memorable goodbyes--when you leave for work in the mornings, when you drop him off at a friend's house to play, when he goes off to college someday...

    Love you guys.

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  3. sounds just like Sophie. She has amyoplasia. perhaps Aaron does too. did you know about amcsupport.org? when(not if, but when) you get Aaron home you might have questions and you will find great people there to help you. Sophie has boney shoulders and to pick her up was difficult but she has gained so much use and muscle just being home.

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  4. I loved reading that, Rob! Thanks for sharing that endearing memory. I love all the pictures too. Thanks for being in some even though you hate cameras....
    : )

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  5. I'm just finding you guys now... had some catch up reading to do. What a journey. Aaron is amazing. Can't wait for the "The Paka Paka Boy" post ;-)

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  6. Reading your post makes me think of the day we left a mission trip to "our Max's" orphanage> those smiles and waves are unforgettable!

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