Prosthetics - Final Step

Will received his finished leg prosthetics last Thursday. We were so happy to see that he seemed to tolerate this finished pair a little better. Not sure if they were more comfortable or if he remembered them and so he was better prepared to wear them. Thanks so much to Dr. Wanda (who designed his new prosthetics) and Brenda (physical therapist) for their commitment, hard work and encouragement to Will, Katie & Reagan. Will's new prosthetics now have 5 layers: 1st a heavy sock that comes up to just below the knee, 2-a formed sleeve that also fits just below the knee, 3-a thin sock that covers the sleeve, 4- the plastic leg form with foot, 5- tight neoprene sleeve that comes completely up to his hip (sort of like wearing a wet suit).

Will with Brenda (his physical therapist at TSRHC)

He loves Miss Brenda even if she does make him work!

Will's adoring fans (Kristen, Becky & Melinda) from the Second Floor PR/Marketing/Events Dept at TSRHC... Katie takes Will to this floor and he crawls from office to office getting lots of ooohs and claps and kisses! It's his reward for working so hard - those girls are so cute this motivational reward may work for quite awhile!

The next few weeks will be a time of transition as Will, Katie & Reagan learn to live with Will's new prosthetics. The doctor wants Will to learn to walk on his own legs but he also wants Will to wear the prosthetics for a few hours every day and begin to learn to walk on them as well. Will is frustrated as you can imagine because he is quite fast at crawling and getting to anywhere he wants to go with his own legs and he has also become proficient at "cruising" around tables etc...but his ankles don't bend, and the prosthetics are heavy, awkward and slow him down. We have already seen that he walks better in therapy just after a week of practicing but it still is hard to see him struggle and have to work so hard and to see his frustration but not be able to explain why he needs to wear them. We would appreciate your prayers for this family as they all transition through this time - for patience, persistence, creativity and humor. And please pray for Katie as she adjusts to the extra demands on her attention, commitment and time as more therapy appointments have also been added to their monthly schedule.

We were packed to the max as I took Will and Katie to the airport for their trip home yesterday. Katie laughs at me because of all the stuff I bring for Will but what can I say I'm just a sold out grandmommy...my latest motto "Have Rocker, Will Travel"...(course I also cart a pack n play, activity center and portable high chair in addition to the folding rocking chair!) - all the comforts of home (or at least as close as I can create it for our daughter and grandson!)