We have no news to share.
So let me just share about one little boy and one Magna-Doodle....
When we first laid eyes on Aaron we were definitely surprised. His arms hung down uselessly in front of him and he walked awkwardly on his toes. His issues were much bigger than we anticipated. We wondered how he was going to survive in our world. What could he do? It was a bit overwhelming. All the toys we brought for him seemed useless as they required fine-motor skills and the use of hands. Kicking a ball for three hours a day was going to get very old!
On our third visit, the nurses stepped in. They wanted us to know just how special their Aaron was. Through sign language they communicated to us that he could draw with his feet. They gave him a stick and he immediately put it between his toes and started writing on the ground. Then he led us to his pile of sand and showed us how he used his feet to dig in the sand. Needless to say, we were pleasantly surprised!
We went home and looked at the bag of toys we had brought. We pulled out the Magna-Doodle and discussed whether he would be able to master the toy. It not only required holding the stylus and drawing but pulling the lever to erase the drawing. It required the use of two hands (feet) to pull the lever. How was he going to manage that task?
Oh we of little faith.
Aaron understood how to use that Magna-Doodle after showing him one time. His grin said it all..
He immediately took pen in hand and with his feet drew to his heart's delight.
Then he put the stylus down and easily pushed the lever, stabilizing the Magna-Doodle with his other foot.
To say we were overjoyed, proud and amazed would be stating it lightly. 
Using both his feet he can draw and erase without any help from us. We also witnessed his maturity. He 'shared' the Magna-Doodle with us, happily taking turns and enjoying our pitiful creations. Of course he got the most turns but we weren't counting!!
This was only the beginning of the many surprises that Aaron had up his sleeves. Keep coming back as we share more about our amazing little guy!
It is amazing what these kids can do. We go to a camp for children with multiple limb loss/limb difference. You would be shocked how these kids think outside the box. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember a visitor watching a child cut her meat with a knife, neatly. She was 6. He said, "My child has all her arms and legs and I am still cutting her meat for her." LOL
When Erika came home, she could not drink from a cup yet, or use a normal utensil. We would hook two together to make a longer handle. Now, she has figured out how to do everything herself.
Her feet were amputated after we came home, and even though she has no bending at the hips, (maybe 10%) She can put her prosthetic legs on by herself. It is amazing as they get more and more confident, what they can do.
Our sweetie knits, sews, and all sorts of things that I am all thumbs with. :)
She even FILES better than I do. LOL
He is amazing! I can't wait to see what else he learns to do. What a treasure!!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the movie "My Left Foot"? It's a bit older, and about a man with CP (I believe). He could paint beautifully with his foot! Just reminded me of Aaron :-)
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing the smile on Aaron's face as he mastered the magna doodle! I used to know two kids (teenagers) who were born with basically no arms. (They both had about half an upper arm but no hands or fingers at all.) They could open soda cans, write with a pencil, eat, ect all with their feet. The older of the two kids even learned how to drive an automatic car with her feet. Not having arms didn't slow them down at all. I don't know if Aaron will regain use of his arms with therapy/surgery but I wanted to share how the two kids I knew were able to use their feet like we would our hands in case he never does. I hope and pray you get good news soon about court and the adoption process!
ReplyDeleteCristina
LOVE this story. Love it.
ReplyDelete