Madi Moves

Madi had a great morning at her Conductive Education class. She worked hard and was super keen to practice her independent walking!

She then had some lunch and a nice visit with her aunts before meeting Mommy at her school. Once everything was packed up, she was Durham bound.

Madi visited a gym located in Ajax called Train Like Hereos. Her buddy Mya exercises there as well as Mya’s Mommy & Daddy and they were thrilled to pass on the info for Madi.

It’s no surprise to anyone that Madison is resisting her different therapy programs and has hit the wall. She has been working at the pace of a professional athlete for 10 months post op and needs a change. We have decided that moving into the spring and summer to focus our time on strength building & walking and trying to stick closer to home. All of the driving has been exhausting on everyone. We are excited for Madison to work with Mike to try something new, a new approach, a new space and be in our own community. Mike has lots of experience working with kids and has a passion for what he does. He is eager to learn about how Madison moves and how to help her keep progressing. He will be using Mike Poole’s recommendations with Madison as well as his own ideas based on his own experiences. Madison was shy at first meeting Mike, but warmed up and was thrilled to learn of his “gymnast spirit”. We are looking forward to sharing this new oppertinity with all of you. For more info on Mike and his programs, visit:

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For the spring months, Madison will be attending Conductive Ed at March of Dimes twice a week. Today was her first class back and she was thrilled! No matter all the protests she throws down, she always wants to go to MOD. It’s always a guaranteed win. She did great walking which Mommy was relieved to hear. Mommy hasn’t seen Madison walk in a while, so when Madison was home she decided to show Mommy what she has been working on. Madison has been working on her balance and control with her steps- taking a long pause after each step to check her balance and then think about shifting her weight side to side.

Thanks for everyone’s help in giving Madison and Jack a fun Easter weekend. Nana & Papa are still at TGH recovering and getting better each day. They will hopefully be home soon!

We are certainly happy that this Week is behind us…the flu made its way around the house and we are all finally feeling better…just in time for the Easter bunny!

Madi & Jack spent their first day of the weekend getting the house ready for Easter….baking cookies and egg making!

Today they went with their cousins Evelyn and Nathan to the Pickering Easter Parade. They all loved the marching bands.

After the parade, everyone went down to the hospital to visit with Papa who had a few more tests today and is eager to get home soon.

On the way home from the hospital, Madi & Jack stopped by the Humaine Society to visit with their newest dogs. No luck this time. The search for the next family dog continues.

Madi was back to school today which she LOVED…she loved seeing her friends and looking for ants and rocks at recess…but today also meant getting back down to business….strength building and walking….which she wants nothing to do with….the meltdowns and protests continue….most of the work done tonight occurred after multiple time outs and re-directing….Daddy & Mommy are seriously cracking down- no more crawling allowed…please think good thoughts for this warrior family…the struggle is real.

 

The last two weeks of our March Break have been magical…lots of rest, relaxing, limited schedules, limited therapy, limited driving…and lots of family time! Jamaica was an amazing time and opportunity to reconnect and have some fun! It helped give us time to reflect on the past 10 months since Madison’s surgery and refocus on what’s important and helped us to set priorities for the next 5 months. Thank you for everyone’s continued support…. a busy time coming…Walk This Way Intensive starting in 3 weeks, 1 year post op visit to St Louis in 8 weeks….Intensive in Boston in 14 weeks and then summer camp!

March Break ended today with a fun b-day party celebrating one of Madi’s CP Warrior friends on National CP Awareness Day!

Back to reality….haircuts and School tomorrow

 

Today Madison finished her last day of Conductive Ed camp at March of Dimes. She had the best week and didn’t want to leave! The biggest difference we noticed at home from her consistent skill work all week has been less ‘w’ sitting at home. She also did lots of great work on her walking!

Madi & Jack are all packed for their big trip south and are excited to swim and dig in the sand everyday. We feel so blessed that this opportunity worked out for them to be just kids for a week and enjoy some quality family fun with NO THERAPY!

Madison has really been enjoying her time at camp this week- she is doing lots of great walking and stretching and loves all the monster activities!

While Madi was at camp, Jack went to his first dentist appointment and did amazing! Inspection, cleaning, X-rays and fluoride treatment!

After camp, Madi & Jack went for a play at Rainbow World with Tiffany and Ben! They climbed, went down slides, got some good exercise and had a blast! Thank you Tiffany and Ben for the great afternoon!

Before the end of a busy day, Madi went to see Kate at Grandview to get measured and have a brief physio session. The casting was a big success – Madison is now measuring +16 with both legs! She will continue wearing her night braces to try and keep the range that she has gained as long as possible.

Madi is at March of Dimes for most of this week for Conductive ed camp! She is super thrilled with the theme of the week- Monsters!!

After camp she picked up her brother and headed north to Smile- Jack was the best cheerleader!

This cast ain’t slowin her down…Madi had a great session at March of Dimes today followed by an afternoon of dancing with Janine and Suzanne.