Rambling about Ryder: Ryder's stepping!?!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Ryder's stepping!?!

The snow is back and unfortunately it's once again too cold to be outside with the walker. We had to stick it out inside today so I thought we better make the most of it. There are many things we are working on these days but the newest is standing with his new Walk Easy Tripod canes. I have been hesitant in letting Ryder walk with them because were trying to focus on him standing first. I knew once we started walking, he wouldn't want to just stand anymore and didn't think he had the balance or coordination to walk just yet. Today I decided to go for it and walk together with them around the house. I would pick them up with him and guide him through the whole motion. He shocked me earlier in the day when I let go and he moved one of the canes and took a step! He fell when trying to move the second one but wow I got so excited!! We continued to use the canes together on and off all day, going both upstairs and down. About a half hour before bed I decided to let go and just see what he could do solo.

Here it is Ryder's very first steps with his Canes!!!!

It's short, blurry and of his backside but it's one of the best videos I have to date of him wowing me!

Way to go Ryder you make Mommy and Daddy SO very PROUD!!!!!!

1 comment:

Kiersten MitchellMarch 1, 2012 at 1:15 AM
OMG, LOVE this! Wow... <3
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Ryder's Story

Ryder and Wyatt are our identical twin boys that were born 12 weeks premature. They suffered from a "rare" disease called Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). TTTS affects 10-15% of identical multiples sharing a single placenta. Basically what happens is there are crossed vessels in the placenta forcing one baby to have way too much blood, nutrients & oxygen and the other not enough. Left untreated this heartbreaking disease has a astonishing mortality rate of 90%. Unfortunately I was not diagnosed until I had already gone into labor at 24 weeks gestation so not much could be done. Thankfully the doctors were able to stop my labor and we all made it to 28 weeks. The boys entered their nicu fight together but sadly on their 24 day of life we had to say our goodbyes to sweet Wyatt. Our hearts broke in a million pieces but somehow we picked up a few and continued our fight for Ryder. Ryder stayed in the nicu for 67 long days and was finally able to come home 2 weeks before their anticipated due date. It was a bittersweet day for many. We were told by every doctor that Ryder was just a "normal" baby and not to worry. I never felt right about this and knew there was something more to come. When he was 11 months old he was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. Our hearts broke once again and we were left to wonder what his future would hold. When we started this blog Ryder was 19 months old and still could not sit, crawl or walk unassisted. Since then he has made tremendous leaps but he still has a long way to go. He see's his physio therapist and occupational therapist twice a month and speech pathologist once a month. This is what our government will offer and we don't feel it's enough. He has so much determination and we know given the proper tools and therapy nothing will stop him. With your help we sent Ryder to Ability camp in January 2012 and there are many other treatments and alternative therapies we want to give him the opportunity to try. Thank you for supporting Ryder and following his journey!