A Big Day

I’ve wanted tell everyone I see today, because I’m just that proud and happy, but Tate had what is hopefully his last session of physical therapy! It wasn’t an official discharge day, because he’ll go back in three months for a check-up. But if he keeps progressing like he has been, he’ll be done for good.

It is so hard to believe that it’s been almost two years of appointments, and what I would guess was about 150 different sessions total. Sometimes even three sessions a week -- from speech therapy, to occupational therapy, to physical therapy.

(saying good-bye to a very familiar parking garage)

It has been quite a journey and not a road I expected to go down when I came in with my 10-month-old and now leave with an almost 3-year-old. I laugh because at the time, I thought I’d take him in two or three times to learn a few exercises. Even though it was much longer than I assumed, I am strangely thankful for the experience.

I’m thankful for having the opportunity to see my little guy work so hard to achieve some things that are easily taken for granted. Seeing him stand up. Seeing him crawl. Seeing him cruise. Hearing him use a sentence. Seeing him draw a circle. Seeing him walk. Every parent remembers those moments, but when they’re long overdue and they’ve taken a lot of work to get there, it makes your heart swell in ways you can’t imagine.

I’m thankful for the special friends, both big and little, I have met along the way. There’s no way to describe the instant bond you have with the kids and parents sitting in that waiting room with you. The situations may be different, but the mutual respect and understanding is immediate. I’m confident that these will be people we are friends with for a very long time. And even in my joy today, I have the gut-wrenching reminder that some of the people I’ve met won’t have this kind of day anytime soon. For some of these kiddos, it will be a lifetime of appointments. I don’t understand it and have stopped trying to figure out why. I just hope and pray that the small victories keep their spirits up and there is joy for them during the journey.

I’m thankful for the absolutely amazing therapists that work so very hard day-after-day with these kids. They have so much skill and talent, while making the work seem so fun and easy. But I know from working with Tate at home, it’s not easy. They get the brunt of having to teach kids to do what is not coming natural to them. It’s not easy. And they do this work with enthusiasm, excitement, tough love, and compassion. I can’t tell you how many times, it was me during Tate’s session that was doing the crying. They have helped calm fears, and they have been some of Tate’s biggest cheerleaders. We’re going to bring in a token of our appreciation next week when they’re all there, but even that seems so small compared to the gratitude I feel.

And I’m thankful for the places this took me in my faith walk. I truly did learn a new kind of dependence on the Lord for peace. Early on, we didn’t know exactly if we were dealing with a short-term or long-term issue. It was a lot of wait and see. Who wants to wait and see when you’re worried something serious could be wrong with your child? But through that time, I’ve felt myself release that control that I wanted to hang on to so bad.

8:00 a.m. appointments have just been a regular part of our schedule. It will be odd not rushing out the door to get there on time. This chapter has been challenging, scary, frustrating, and yet so very special all at the same time. I hope to be able to remember all of the things I’ve learned and to be able to tell Tate all about it when he’s older. He has been a trooper and has worked so hard. I am proud beyond words.

Ms. Carolyn ~ Tate's Physical Therapist. She has been with us from day one. She is incredibly talented and has been an amazing support!

Ms. Teresa ~ Tate's Occupational Therapist. Tate loved Ms. Teresa, and I was so impressed with her skill and patience. (Back in April on his last appt. with her.)

Ms. Kendra ~ Tate's Speech Therapist for a very short period of time. My friend and major moral support the entire time!

Ms. Amy ~ She works on the business side of things, but early on Tate formed quite the crush on her. As he got older, he's become much more bashful in his affection, but she has been such a sweet friend.

Some history:
Good Report
He Walks!
The Long Version
Standing!
11 Months
Began at 10 Months