The kindness of others

If it is one thing that i’ve learned on this special needs journey / belonging to this very special and exclusive club. Is that the many families that we have met, believe it or not on the internet, whether we met them networking, blogging, or even on facebook, we have met some of the most very special friends who’s love and compassion knows no limit. Are family is very grateful today for the kindness of A loving family that Natalie met on Facebook. On Sunday we took an 8 hour road trip to Peru Maine to pick up an Adaptive Bike that the Jamison Family so graciously gave to Hailey. The beautiful young girl who formerly owned the bike has the same type of C.P. that Hailey has, she no longer uses the bike and her mom asked if Hailey could use it! We were thrilled. (Thank you Erica). We have been looking for a bike for Hailey for some time now, this has proven to be an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT task. Hailey’s lack of core strength and mixed/low muscle tone makes it impossible for her to sit safely on just any bike, and the adaptive bikes typically cost thousands of dollars. We have been to a few bicycle shops trying to adapt or create our own bike to suit Hailey’s individual needs, but have been unsuccessful. So you can just imagine how happy we were to be given such a wonderful gift.

The idea of seeing Hailey be able to troll around on a bike like other children is heartwarming for me. She was so excited to sit on it. Unfortunately we discovered that Hailey is too small for this bike right now, but at least we have it to look forward to in the future. A very special thanks to the entire Jamison family for their kindness and their generosity. I know Hailey is going to enjoy her new bike as soon as she can reach the pedals! Hailey and Grampy trying to fix the pedals so that Hailey could ride it

Look at her desperately trying to make it work

Well its almost time!!!

This Thursday Hailey will become a big sister! Everyone is very excited/nervous, excited/nervous, excited and nervous. Sure i'm excited for my new grandson to enter this world, but also because I am going to be able to spend some quality time with Hailey. I have taken my vacation in ½ days so that I will be able to spread my vacation time throughout several weeks and be of more help to my family (Thank you Richard) I thought I could take advantage of this time off to do some of the things with Hailey that I never have the time to do. For several months i’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out some fun things to do while still incorporating therapy that she needs. Here are some of the activities that are on tap...we have signed her up for adaptive aquatics! Hailey loves to go in the water, and the heated pool is exactly what she needs to relax her tight muscles, only this time she will have a professional instructor working with her, instead of Grammy wading around in the pool. Ever since Hailey danced with Meghan at Impact Dance Co.

I have been emailing dance schools in our area trying to find a class for Hailey, she enjoyed it so much and seemed so comfortable trolling around on the floor, I really wanted her to be able to take a class like every other little girl who dreams of being a ballerina, unfortunately, I couldn’t find a class that was willing to take her, I finally contacted a woman who owns a dance/gymnastics school and she has decided to take Hailey in one day a week and do some creative movement type things with her privately. Although It isn’t exactly what I was looking for, it is still very exciting (wait til’ Hailey see’s the trampoline, she’s going to love it)! I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to dance and feel the music.

I’ve also been thinking about some crafty things, I believe that being creative is very therapeutic, and since Easter is just around the corner. I have a couple of Easter projects in store as well. I found this wreath on Pinterest and it got me thinking...

even though Hailey won’t really be able to do a craft that is so detailed, it sure will be fun to dump a box of Easter accessories, pastel eggs, ribbons etc. on the kitchen table and she can pick out what she wants me to glue on, tell me where to put it and when it is complete, she will be proud that she helped create this masterpiece and I hope it will make her smile everytime she goes in the front door. I also found this on pinterest... I know, I know, I actually hate these tacky egg tree’s myself, but it isn’t about me, I actually found myself outside today looking for the perfect branches, so that Hailey can hang eggs from each one and be proud that she created this too.

I have been wanting to try music therapy as well, Hailey really responds well to music, she loves playing the piano, and visiting her fathers studio. I just know she would enjoy it. It is so difficult to find the right balance, we have to constantly remind ourselves to just let Hailey be a little girl. So, I hope that these therapies are more fun than some of her other therapies.

" Between the earth and sky above, nothing can match a grandmother's love.