Amazing

So far Alex's progress has been amazing! When we brought him home from the hospital (the first time) on August 4th he could barely hold his head up from the pillow. We were constantly adjusting him on the couch because he wasn't comfortable and didn't have the strength to adjust himself: "I want to lie down" "I want to sit up" "My bum hurts" "I want to lay on that side" "I want my Elmo chair" "sniffle sniffle" all within about 90 seconds. For those of you that visited you know I'm not far off with this.

The therapists at the Glenrose have explained to us that Alex's movement will come back in stages. His joints closest to his body will regain movement first (shoulder and hip) followed by the other parts (elbow and knee, then wrist and ankle) and the last to be regained will be the fingers and toes, fine motor skills. This doesn't mean that he doesn't move his fingers and toes at all, but we have definitely noticed that the best movement is in his shoulder and hip, elbow and knee so far. The rest gets tired much more quickly.

It's also interesting how he will move his fingers and limbs more when he's not really trying. Like one day I was washing his right hand after a snack and then thought maybe I would wash his left hand too, just to encourage a pattern. Imagine my shock when his fingers splayed open, helping me to wash between them just like they used to! Up until this point his hand had been a little claw that he protected by hitting us with his right hand whenever we tried to straighten his fingers ourselves.

Today at 'school' Alex walked around the furniture and even kicked a balloon with his left leg, voluntarily, while standing! He was being supported around his ribs by the therapist but only for balance purposes, his weight was fully supported by his own legs!

I know that many of you have been praying for Alex and I want to tell you that we are seeing the results!! God has blessed this little boy with joy and laughter so loud that the other therapists are leaving their offices to find out who is laughing. They are even telling him that just hearing it makes them so happy! He has endured repeated tests and procedures and setbacks that I think would make grown people suicidal and he has come out victorious!!! Thank you to all of you for your support to our family and to Alex, may God bless you all for your generosity of spirit and love.