Madison and Jack had a magical afternoon visiting with Santa, watching a magic show, decorating gingerbread and seeing Santa’s reindeer thanks to their Secret Santa! Lunch was yummy and dessert was even better!
Madison and Jack finished their day with decorating their tree!
Madison and Jack had a blast at Nate’s 2nd Birthday party today. The play place was so much fun for the kids, fully accessible, safe and the perfect size and interest level for Madison. She loved it and there was something for every age which was great! Mommy and Daddy also learned that AFO’s and twirly slides don’t work well together… Daddy to the rescue! The Elmo cake was a big hit and Madison LOVED playing with the ball canyon. Happy Birthday Nate! Thanks for a great party!
When Madison got home she had a wonderful surprise. Her friends at Million Dollar Smiles dropped by to deliver her a Christmas Bear and Toys R Us gift card. They even brought a smaller bear for Jack. Madison was thrilled! The organizations mission is to try and put a smile on children’s faces who face challenges in their everyday lives. Thank you Million Dollar Smiles!
Madi and Jack had a great time with Stephanie at Variety Village today. Madi did her physio in the new kids gym! She practiced her walking, stairs, and did some core and strengthening in the ball pit and on the swing. Thanks Variety for providing a new space for Madi and her little friends to play and work on what they need.
We continue to be blown away from all of the support Madison has received for her life changing surgery in May.
We were blessed three times today:
1) Nathan’s Birthday
Madison enjoyed celebrating Nate’s 2nd Birthday by going for dinner with family and spending time with her favourite partner in crime. She made him a blue gingerbread man and loved seeing him on his special day. Thank you Nana & Papa for taking Madi and Jack to celebrate!
Today we received a donation for Madison’s surgery from Blessed Cardinal Newman High School where Mommy went to school. The students and teachers at the school had heard about Madison and her surgery and had a civies day and collected money from the students for Madison. This was an incredible surprise and such a special moment to learn of their caring initiative towards their school alum. Thank you!!!!
3) In My Own Skin
Another incredible surprise came our way today:
“Hello Ambos family! My name is Mohogany, I am Suzie’s daughter and I am also one of the teachers at Denise Lester Dance Academy. My mom had mentioned to you that I had made a clothing line in order to help raise money for Madisons surgery! I have created a Facebook and instagram page for my line and just wanted to reach out and share it with you so you know what it is! I absolutely fell involve with your daughter the day i saw her. Growing up I had a cousin who also had cerebral palsy and i spent every waking day caring for her. Sadly she passed away a few years ago. So as soon as I saw Madi i just had tears in my eyes and my heart just felt so full. Such a beautiful spirit and so determined! I love how nothing stops her from doing what makes her happy and at such a young age. When my mom told me about her surgery I just knew i had to find a way to help! So of course i made the clothing line! I hope to raise at least $3000 and give it to you guys to help as much as i can! The Facebook page is called In My Own Skin, and the instagram is @inmyownskinxo ! i hope you don’t mind that i shared your blogs and Everything on Madi’s story. I just really wanted to help! I wish you guys the best of luck with everything!
Sending all my best wishes,
Mohogany Brown”
This beautiful email came to us from the daughter of Madison’s ballet teacher. She wants to help spread awareness and teach young girls about self love by initiating a campaign and clothing line entitled: “In My Own Skin” and will donate towards Madison’s surgery!
We have already placed an order for a pink TShirt and hat for Madison. Check out this info to support this amazing initiative- thank you so much Mohogany!
Today was a day of highs and lows.
Highs:
Madi had an awesome morning at school! She showed off her new walker and used her big loud voice all morning.
While Madi was at school, Mommy was at the pool for a special spot on the news to advocate for synchronized swimming for athletes with a disability. It was wonderful to have swimmers from different clubs in the GTA join together to showcase the sport they love.
After school, Madi worked hard and had fun at March of Dimes. She practiced using her canes, loved the theme of the day- the very hungry caterpillar, learned about the letter ‘h’ and playing with pom poms.
Madison really enjoyed using her canes today at MOD that she wanted to practice with them at home before bedtime.
OHIP application status
After being denied a signature from a neurosurgeon at Bloorview and being denied a signature from a developmental peadiatrician on out of country OHIP application forms for funding, we were advised to collect letters of support from all the therapists, medical staff and professionals who work with Madison and to send in those letters with the forms signed from her peadiatrician. We received a letter from OHIP stating:
Back to square one. We now wait to see if we can get in with a neurosurgeon in Hamilton at McMaster.
Madison had a great morning at school. She was so happy to see her therapist Suzzane in class who took her for some physio in the gym. They practiced stairs, treadmill walking and balancing on the physio ball.
After school Madison and Jack had some lunch and a nice visit with Pam and Medford while Mommy caught up on some of Madison’s various paperwork. They played with all the Christmas decor around the house, animal dominoes and animal snap! Madison told Mommy her favourite part of the visit was laughing at dancing Santa on the door.
Today was also a great day for deliveries! Madison received her letter from Santa and her new walker today!
She was thrilled to hear that Santa got her letter, that he liked the sparkles and stickers she put on her letter and that he would be going to her house very soon.
Madison was also thrilled to have her new walker delivered. She loves the front swivel wheels and commented right away that it doesn’t squeak or tip back like her other one did. She also said it moves like a car and proceeded to chase Jack around the house trying to run him over.
Madison and Ben’s theme at school today was gingerbread and they loved their story and sensory time activities. Ben’s Mommy surprised them with their own gingerbread after school which Madi LOVED and ate all the way to Sassy.
Today was Madison’s last session with Sassy. She will not be riding in the winter because of weather, the roads and the cold. Madison has really progressed just in the last few weeks. Her voice is the loudest it has ever been, she rides confidently, takes more risks with her stretching and moving around and her posture has really improved. We were sad to say goodbye to Sassy today but will see her again starting at the end of March.
Madison woke up this morning feeling a bit better from her cold and her legs felt good so she did some good long sitting while watching her Sunday morning cartoons.
Today was a very special day… Madi and Jacks little buddy Owen turned 1 today! Jack had to stay home with Nana while he battled his cold, but Madi and Daddy were happy to go to the party and celebrate! Happy 1st Birthda Owen!!
After the party, Madi and Nana had a nice play making Christmas wreath crafts.
Madison had a great morning at Variety Village for her gym class with Tiffany. It was her last class until after the holidays. Her favourite thing about today was that the whole class did all the activities in wheelchairs. They played different games and her favourite was “fish net” where she got a free pass through the net because of her pink shoes! It’s so awesome for her to be exposed to such an inclusive environment where they switch the norms around to give all kids exposure and experience with something like adaptive games for people who require a wheelchair, and to give all kids the experience of using a wheelchair and what it is like.
After class, Madi had some good snuggles with Daddy while Jack napped. Both kiddos are under the weather so lots of cuddles and napping are on the agenda.
After Mommy was done at her coaching course, Mommy and Madi had a fun night out watching Ruby at her swim meet. Madi loved watching all the kids swim fast. She also loved Ruby’s purple ribbon – great swims Ruby!
Once Mommy and Madi got home, Jack and Daddy were ready for bed so it was a good time for a cuddle and chat before bed. Madison likes telling Mommy & Daddy about her day at bedtime and loves talking through what the plans are for the following day. While Madi and Mommy were chatting, they did each other’s hair which was a first! Madi brushed Mommy’s hair and tried putting an elastic in and Mommy was able to fully French braid Madison’s hair for the first time – it was such a special moment.
Madi Moves 
