Another Adventure

Today's evaluation at Therapies + went very well and we are looking forward to starting therapies there. Mason will be seen weekly on Tuesdays (starting May 4th) so it will require more flexibility from all of Mason's caretakers...but we are up for the challenge. Our therapist's name is Anna. She gave us some good pointers already so I think we will learn a lot from this new adventure.

This past weekend we had a strange discovery. From time to time, I request Mason's medical information to make sure I am up to speed on everything the doctor's tell me. I often forget things. However, on one particular medical note by a resident doctor at St. Joseph's (from back in December), she mentioned that one of Mason's diagnoses was Cerebral Palsy. WHAT?! No one told me this! So, of course, being a curious Mom, I googled it.

Wikipedia definition: Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive,^[1][2] non-contagious motor conditions that cause physical disability in human development, chiefly in the various areas of body movement.

More specifically, symptoms of Spastic Cerebral Palsy:

• Muscles that are very tight and do not stretch. They may tighten up even more over time.
• Abnormal walk (gait): arms tucked in toward the sides, knees crossed or touching, legs make "scissors" movements, walk on the toes
• Joints are tight and do not open up all the way (called joint contracture)
• Muscle weakness or loss of movement in a group of muscles (paralysis)
• The symptoms may affect one arm or leg, one side of the body, both legs, or both arms and legs

Now if that list of symptoms doesn't match our Mason, I don't know what does! I was so intrigued by the fact that I was not told about this diagnosis! I mentioned it to Gramma Barb and she recalled a time when she was watching Mason at the hospital and the residents came in to do their daily recap for the other doctors and one of them mentioned cerebral palsy. I am not totally shocked by this, though, because this is not the first time they have failed to mention things to us. (Like the failure to mention that Mason had a heart murmur until he was 3 days old and we were being discharged).

This news doesn't really affect us much. We knew that his body tone was messed up, and at least, now, we can put a name to it. One thing this might change is our application for Mason to be on social security...which I need to try again...but the paperwork is a nightmare and I have to work up the courage to do it.

Today we received a letter in the mail from Chris's uncle Gerry. Enclosed was a poem that was given to him from a parishioner of his. Her name is Judy and she has a 35 year old disabled son. She sent the poem to us in an effort to comfort us in our tough times and I definitely think this is a poem I will revert back to. I had to share it with all of you:

Heaven's Very Special Child

A meeting was called quite far from earth
"It's time again for another birth,"
Said the angels to the Lord above
"This special child will need much love."

His progress may seem very slow
Accomplishments he may not show
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets way down there.

He may not run or laugh or play
His thoughts may seem quite far away
In many ways he won't adapt
And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent
We want his life to be content
Please, Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for this gift from Heaven
Their precious charge, so meek and mild
Is Heaven's very special child.

-Author unknown