sherriknits

I have dreaded this day but there wasn’t a need.

Four years ago, we got orthotics for the little imp.   You cannot even imagine the fun that was.  He hated them.  I started to get so apprehensive every morning when I had to force his feet into the shoes after I had strapped him into the orthotics.  It wasn’t long before he was hiding them and over time, we forgot about using them.

Well, the feet continued to get worse.  This is fairly common in our little friends with DS.  Our new therapist began to worry about those dear feet and we made an appointment to go to the foot clinic held every few months for these special little kids.  Well, the appointment was early December and when the time came, we were digging out of storm damage and Centralia where we had to go was under water the week before.  The clinic was bumped forward a week, but emotionally we just couldn’t do it….life was hard and I was up for jury duty as well as the fact that after all the fallen trees, I didn’t feel up to seeing floodwater damage there (some parts of town were literally under 10 feet of water!).  So, we asked to be re-scheduled for the next clinic…which fell to today. 

The morning was awful.  I got up not feeling well and then I couldn’t find his medical coupon since we know our insurance will reject the claim.  We finally just left without it.  What is that time warp that happens when you need to get out the door?  We ended up late and getting behind a sllllooooowww truck.  We did make it to the clinic right on the minute, but a bit stressed.

You know what?  The physical therapist who does this casting was beyond wonderful.  She is used to working with other little imps and said we just need to figure out something he will buy into so he will cooperate with us.  Obviously we are defeating a purpose if he won’t wear them.  I forgot my camera  but hubby snapped a few with his phone.  Sad to say we didn’t get the cast foot….

The good news is that the therapist will meet us at a shoe store that specializes in shoes just for this purpose but they *look* like regular shoes.  They will make him a customized insert that will not have toe straps.  She said it looked very possible to treat the foot in a way that shouldn’t cause him a lot of grief and his feet may feel better enough that he may ask for his shoes to be worn (although I feel skeptical about that at this point). 

I was so grateful.  We do not let this boy get away with all of his whims, but this one just got too much.  Many professionals only see their little area of expertise when looking at these kids and can’t understand why you fall apart, but she really *got it* when I said it wasnt’ the only thing we were trying to deal with, as his therapist at the time had to remind me of over and over.  He is one mess of things all rolled in to one sweet body. 

So, whew…that one is over and I came back to town and actually knit a bit this afternoon in total enjoyment with good friends.  (and the imp spent the afternoon with his favorite person in the world….Dad!)  And then I got Dad for a date tonight.  On our way out of town, we found out he does not have to go away for a conference next week and I am oh so happy. 

And now, my bed calls.

Technorati Tags: Event, Imp, Knitting

Tags: event, imp, wedding!

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