Thursday, January 11, 2007

Pony Walker!!!



This is one AMAZING little girl! We had such a good day of therapy. Today Eden got her pony walker. I have really been looking forward to it, ever since Pam, her PT, mentioned it to us before Christmas. Eden was showing lots of signs that she was ready to try it...bearing a tiny bit more weight on her legs more often, moving her legs like she is trying to walk when you help her, and saying the words "walk," "jump," and her most recent favorite "run." She's been really wanting to be upright, and to get around more, and has been crying and pitching a good 2-year-old fit when we put her down. So, I knew she was ready and I was really getting excited to try the walker.

I swear Eden knew what it was from the second she saw it. I said, "do you wanna walk?" and she got SO excited and started trying to get into it from my arms. Once in there, she grabbed the handles and started trying to walk right away. She did so good! She could move herself all the way across the room (about 10-12 feet) and probably could have gone further if we had more open space. She was SO happy.

She started playing a game with me, saying "bye, see ya" and I was supposed to go ahead of her so she couldn't see me. She would then walk until she could see me and would exclaim "HIIIEEE" with the hugest smile, then would immediately tell me "bye, see ya" again. She really thought she was BIG STUFF and would have done this for hours. She also liked turning the Christmas tree on and off, trying to buckle the belts in the high chairs, and opening and shutting the refridgerator door. We could tell that she was so proud and happy to be up and able to go where she wanted. It was a lot of fun and she didn't want to get out. In fact she cried and said "more... walk" repeatedly when we were done, even though we could tell she was getting tired. She was in there for like, 45 minutes, on her first time!

I know, both from our experiences so far, and from reading other blogs, that getting new equipment can sometimes be painful and emotional. Getting a new stander could mean that she will never stand on her own, getting a walker might mean she will never walk, and getting a power wheelchair might mean that she will never be able to get around on her own. I know these feelings, but today I am just happy for Eden because she is so happy and proud of herself.

On the other hand, I do feel some brief moments of sadness, just in knowing that she has been watching us, and Holland, for so long doing the things that she really wants to be doing herself. I hope this walker will help Eden do more of the things she wants to do independently. I will continue everyday in my pursuit of making her life as normal and happy and independent as I possibly can. Everyone knows she is doing her part!

40 comments:

Emily Elizabeth said...

Yeah Eden!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you. You never cease to amaze me!

Anonymous said...

I am crying. Look at her! WALKING! With help, yes, but still! Walking! I guess because I'm not faced with it every day, I can look at her in her pony walker and feel so elated for her because she is so happy and she wants to to it so badly and there she is actually doing it. It's hard for me to see the sadness in this because I think I would be much sadder if she never got to the point where she could use this. I remember months ago the docs telling you that she would probably never stand. Yet she can do that. She will never walk seems like a negative things to say, but she might never walk without some sort of assistance, but at two, here she is walking and loving every second.

I'm so happy for your family today!

Anonymous said...

This post brought tears off happiness to my eyes! I can't tell you how happy I am for Eden.

She has progressed so much in the last few months. I know she must want to do things that she sees you all doing. With enough determination she may just do some of the things we never thought possible!

Give her a big hug from one of her biggest fans!!!!

Anonymous said...

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for Eden!! She knows what she wants and is such a determined, smart little thing I have no doubt she will be zipping along in her pony walker and you'll have to be chasing her down. I can't wait till this summer when we can get her and her sis outside to run around. She'll sleep good tonight!! Luv U Guys and Congrats to EDIE!! Liz

Anonymous said...

Billie I have to tell you that your girls are an inspiration to me. I have spoke to you before about my son (he is getting a cochlear implant) and he has CP as well. I have never seen the pony! Ashton isn't ready for something like that but it will definately be something to remember!

Anonymous said...

Congradulations on Eden's first steps! May there be many more. She looks so happy with her newfound independence. To her it does not seem to matter that it's in a walker, she's walking and she's proud.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Eden on your new ride. You will be able to see the world differently now and it will be great.

You have proved to everyone that nothing can hold you back!!! This is an amazing day for you!!

I have been following your progress for some time and I cannot believe how far the two of you have come. Your quite a team.

Stay positive and enjoy your pony.

Anonymous said...

Thats awesome. Her game is really cute. -E

Anonymous said...

WOO WOO!!! AWESOME PICTURES!
THERE'S NO STOPPING HER NOW!!
:)
LOVE,
Jules

Anonymous said...

Billie: That is awesome! I am so happy for Eden and all of you! The other side I always think to she wont walk on her becuase of the walker but maybe she will becuase she learned with the walker and got those muscles strong enough to work on their own. I am so happy she is doing so fabulous! You have incredible little girls in your life!

Anonymous said...

Edie has been playing that game for awhile... we say bye,bye then run around and yell "Hi". She NEVER gets tired of it, now that she can do the running you guys can at least sit and wait for her instead of doing laps yourself!!:) I can't wait to play this new version! -Kim

Kim said...

I got chills while reading this post. Eden is such a fiercely determined little girl. This literal step further into independence must feel so good to her... your babies are growing up!

Anonymous said...

What a nifty piece of equipment, and Eden is obviously making the most of it! I am cheering her on from cyberspace!

Cindy

Anonymous said...

what a great day! hurrah!! i am so happy for eden. she is amazing and her determination is unbelievable. please give her a high five from cali.
love, lisa

Dream Mom said...

How exciting! Getting new equipment and seeing them independent and walking IS a very big deal and you should be proud. She is doing very well and it's exciting to have some equipment that works for her. I know my own Dear Son was very excited when they finally found a walker that worked for him and had trunk support.

Yeah for walking! By the way, she looks beautiful in her walker. Isn't it great to see the joy she gets from being independent?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! You can see the joy and excitement and pride in Eden's face in these pictures. What a wonderful walker for her! I hope she loves it, and puts lots of miles on it in 2007.
Way to go Eden!
best wishes,
tripleblessings@sasktel.net

Anonymous said...

Love it!

Allison said...

Just unbelievable! I am so happy right now...

Anonymous said...

GO Eden! The pictures say it all. You can tell how happy and proud she is! I love the 3rd pic where she is smiling and waving.

Amy

Anonymous said...

I don't post often but I just couldn't resist this one. She is a darling and I couldn't be more proud if she was one of my own when I read this post. Congratulations to Eden on this huge accomplishment - here's to many, many more.
Kelly

Anonymous said...

I hate it too when Darsie gets more equipment.

But the look on Eden's face is priceless. You can just TELL how happy she is.

She is amazing!

Anonymous said...

eden must of been realy excited aww she is such amazing and strong little girl all thre best
from
sarah andrew
katie and james

Anonymous said...

oh my what an adorable little girl! You can feel her excitement! Good for you for being so open to these thigns for her and good for her for getting the hang of it so quick!

Kristin said...

Go Eden! That looks like fun! She meets every challenge placed in front of her with a smile.

Anonymous said...

Your girls are beautiful. My son has special needs as well. I've learned over the years that there is NO stopping them!

Unknown said...

Congratulations Eden! That is so awesome and you can see how happy she is to be doing things all by herself. :) What a cool device that Ponywalker is too.. she looks like she is loving the chance to feel totally in control. You go girl! Dont let anyone ever tell you that you cant do anything! ;)

Miranda said...

That's amazing how quickly she took to it, and she looks so happy too!

Anonymous said...

WTG Eden.. this post was so touching and exciting.. She looks so happy in her new walker!! I sure hope this makes her happier being able to get around more..

Thanks for de-luring on my blog :) I had lost all my info on my computer awhile back and lost this link!!

Anonymous said...

Go, Eden!! This is one of the most poignant posts I've read in a long time. Eden has come so far, and it's wonderful to see how much she is enjoying her new experiences. I am so proud of her!

Anonymous said...

Go Eden Go Eden!!! Wow look at the excitement on her face...There is no stopping this little one...

Kendra Lynn said...

You can see how happy she is, I love it! What a marvellous post!
Yay, Edie!

Lots of love,
Kendra

Anonymous said...

Way to go Eden! Awesome!

R said...

Eden looks SO happy and proud in her walker - I'm thrilled for her.

BUT... a powerchair is not never getting around on her own, a powerchair is a way - a perfectly valid way - of getting from A to B independantly, which is what matters, in the end. More likely than not it'll be a powerchair she races around the playground with her friends in at school, and a powerchair that takes her from her dorm to her classes at college. Her ability to walk is impaired, her ability to go where she wishes, when she wishes, is not. And that's the important bit.

Anonymous said...

I think we all wish we could be half as good a Mom as you are. Those girls are loved, and it shows. You have a beautiful family.

Anonymous said...

Ive been checking your website for sometime now, after stumbling accross it, but your kids are so cute they keep me coming back to see how they are. im from Northwest UK, and i think your little girls are the most precious kids ever! your obivously amazing parents to have the strength to have gotten through their traumatic start and to have brought up such happy children, they are blessed to call you guys mum and dad.
god bless and all the luck in the world, n doubt il be back on your blog soon!
Kirsty, 20, UK
xxxx

Anonymous said...

I've always believed there are more and more miracles ahead for both girls. All of you remain in my prayers. Connie W.

Anonymous said...

YEAH EDEN!!! Billie I'm crying! You are such a strong Mommy and soooo good! I am happy for Eden!
Noel (Kristin's sister in law)

Amy said...

Your excitement comes through so strong, I feel like I was there. Your girl is an awesome, powerful little angel. Yay, yay, yay!

Anonymous said...

She (and you) is a true inspiration to us all. When we are having those not so good days, I look at how far Eden has come and I know that John will be okay too.

Lloyd said...

Nice! We got a loaner Pony Walker to try for our son yesterday. Unfortunately the one they sent is too big, but he loves being in it, and they're going to send a smaller one soon.