lokomat pics

Here are the pics of the Lokomat...you can see how the robotic legs are strapped to Drew's legs and how it all works together. There is a pulley system, the computer can be adjusted to add more or less body weight for when he is on the treadmill. The rate/speed he walks and the amount of work the robotic legs do are also adjustable. I asked the therapist to put a mirror in front of him, so he can watch his legs move. He loves it! He is doing really well with it. Our goal is that he will have more endurance and strength, and stand better. Balance and coordination will come later...we hope all is well with everyone!!! Looking forward to the MDA walk on Sunday with Shari and Team Skywalker!!!

Loko #2

We didn't have Lokomat on Wednesday, the therapist was sick. So today is day 2, and no, I won't be blogging about each session, but I gotta tell ya...little man rocks!~

We are supposed to work up to 45 minutes--he did 20 the first day, which was great! Today, he did 45!!!!! 45 minutes!~ WOOO HOOOO!

It will get more difficult as the weeks go on...he is only bearing half of his weight, and the robotic legs are doing all of the movement, but that isn't bad for a kid who fatigues easily due to lack of movement!!!!!

I am encouraged that he will be moving the 'legs' on his own in no time!!! He WAS listening to her and lifting his knees, so that is good.

Forgot the camera, but will take pics hopefully next week. Mott vs. Sterling in soccer, so we are going to root on our girls on Monday!!! Go Mott! Go Sterling! Go Erin! Go Morgan! Go Kylie! :)

Here are some pics from Easter!

Lokomat

We started the Lokomat on Monday at Children's Hospital in Novi...we will go Mon, Wed, Fri for the next 8 weeks. I am bringing my camera on Friday to take and post some pics. Drew, of course, did wonderfully. Terri, his therapist, said 'we can try him for a few minutes' ( Monday was the first visit...a lot of measuring, talking, and testing) to have him get a feel for it. He wound up doing 20 minutes! They work up to the 45 minute mark. We had to restart several times...he got so excited it shut the machine down!!! It is really cool--he is suspended by an unweighting mechanism, with a belt/harness, and his legs are connected to a pair of 'robotic' legs that move in the proper heel-toe strike pattern on the treadmill. Monday, he was about supporting about 50% of his own body weight. That will increase, as will the speed of the treadmill. Hopefully, the end result will be that he will have learned to pattern his leg movements and coordinate balance with weight bearing to walk or stand better.

I will post pics once I get them. Hope all is well with everyone!!!! Oh, and I wanna shout out to Jen Johnson and Abby, who just completed Abby's stem cell therapy in China and will be home on Tuesday!!!! Jen left her boys at home to take Abby to China...it will be worth it!!! :)

You've got a friend

There is nothing more honest than the emotions of kids. A few weeks ago, Monika and Danny came to hang out with Drew and I. We played, talked, had Pei Wei (first time ever...yum!) and Danny helped Drew walk in his walker. I will never forget the sweetness of that moment when he grabbed the walker and started pulling it...poor Monika was terrified for a second--'is that okay?!' and I replied 'it looks fine to me!' Kids connect in a way that no adult can with other kids. We should all be so accepting.

We are looking forward to seeing them tomorrow. Danny is great kid, and Drew and I love him.

We are on Easter Break tomorrow and all next week. We wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Oh, for the music lovers out there...Dottie, the best school bus driver ever in the whole wide world told me today that she heard Drew get all excited and then realized that the song on the radio was 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel. I told her that we usually belt it out, and she was free to do the same!!! My boy has good taste.

We wish you all all love-filled, blessed Easter!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday Boogie!!!! 8 years ago tomorrow (27th) my hero was born. He had a rough start (understatement of the decade) and began his journey to remind all who get to know him what is really important in life. He is the strongest person I know. He inspires us every day. His birthday is always bittersweet for Chris and I...it was at once the best and worst thing that ever happened in our lives. Best, because we had planned our lives and looked so forward to our baby...worst, because it didn't go at all as planned; with lifetime consequences for him.
Having said that, you need to know that he has overcome incredible obstacles, and has come out smiling and laughing. I will say it again...he is the strongest person I know.

True confessions

Blog, I am cheating on you with Facebook. I feel bad! Also, I can't find my camera to take any new pics of Boogie, so that is limiting my blogging. While I could fill pages with senseless rambling, opinions and other neuroses that I possess, I know the real reason you all check this to get the scoop on my hero, Drew. I love that! That is why I created the blog...so you can get to know the crazy, fun, silly, cool kid that lights up our world.

So, keep checking!! I am on a mission to find the camera, and will take pics of our adventures.

Hope all is well with everyone!!!

Love,
Team Kijek

Super Trooper

Drew Rocks. He handled the surgery today like a champ. Again! This was an outpatient procedure to remove the plate from his hip. It took about an hour total, from anesthesia to finish. Then a few hours in recovery. Scruffy the one-eared wonder dog was there, of course. Scruffy got the oxygen in post op recovery, since Drew didn't need it. The nurse asked 'who bit his ear?!' (Scruffy's) and I explained that our real dog, Roo (RIP) did and I had to cut the dog slobbered ear off. She thought that was hysterical. Scruffy had the hair net on too. He is a very loyal friend. The surgeon made a small incision and got the plate out...there are no restrictions for Drew, and by the time we got home he was trying to stand and walk, moving his legs! He is such a trooper.
We took advantage of the beautiful weather today and took a long walk...he was moving the entire time (as much as he could in his stroller) so I think he will be just fine and ready for Lokomat in April. :)
Thanks for all or your well wishes...love ya!!