Madi Moves

Tonight Madison attended the Variety Village Athletic Banquet which recognizes athletes in various sports at Variety Village for their achievements this past season. Most of Mommy’s swim team was there including some of her BFF’s Ruby, Jess, Aly and Megan. Madi clapped and cheered as so many of her fiends won awards for their various successes and she ran all over the hall in her walker chasing Nina and “checking things out” as she called it. 

Mommy was so proud when one of the award winners of the evening was MADISON!

She won the Brendan Turner Memorial Award which is presented to a young athlete with a disability who exhibits cheerfulness and determination in life and towards sport. This award was extra special for Madison to receive as Brendan was Auntie Rachel’s brother so it is an honor to now have Madison’s name on his plaque that will be displayed in the halls of the Village next to his name for years to come. 

Madi finished the party dancing away with all the big kids until well passed her bed time. Congrats to all the award winners! 

Madi was so thrilled with her trophy she went to bed with it. Fingers crossed for a good sleep as its her preschool graduation in the morning!

Madi had a busy day checking in with various members of her team since returning from St Louis.

Her first appointment of the day was at Grandview with her developmental Pead. Madi played while Mommy filled her in on the plan for the next year, how the surgery went, issues in recovery and what the current focus is. Referrals will be made for hip X-rays, eyes checked and allergy testing to figure out all the swelling. We are still waiting on the medical notes that are being sent from St Louis and then if needed we will check in again. When we have time to process everything that happened while away, we will write a blog entry specific to Madison’s experience in recovery after surgery to reflect on how intense it was and to share our experience,  as we think it’s important  for so many of our followers who are researching the surgery for their child to know how tricky it was – but successful. 

Madi had an awesome session with Monika this afternoon. It was Madi’s last conductive Ed class until she starts camp the first week of July. Madi will be doing anywhere between 3-5 hours of conductive Ed for 7 weeks this summer! They did some activities for Father’s Day while practicing some independent standing, taking steps and using her pink canes!

Madi picked up Jack from daycare and headed home for some dinner. After dinner her and Jack had an early bath and then Madi headed to see her family doctor for a late appointment in her pj’s to check in and share all of the St Louis news. He confirmed that Madi is the same weight as prior to surgery but is close to 2.5 inches taller! He has worked with Rhyzotomy patients before and was happy with Madison’s results and the plan for the next year. He adjusted her melatonin dose and supported the plan for allergy testing. 

Madi had a great morning at school! She is confident and loving being back. She only has 2 school days left which is sad. 

She was a bit tired when she got home so she lied down to play on her iPad and stretch in her Gaitors before going to Grandview for PT. Her lie down quiet time turned into a 2 hour nap so PT was cancelled for today. Both Madi and Jack had great naps and Mommy was able to finish scheduling the summer!

When Madi woke up it was time to go visit Pam and Medford so Mommy could go to coaching. Madi told Mommy that she didn’t do much today so she wanted to use her scooter to get to Pams house haha. So Madi got in her scooter and pushed herself along the whole sidewalk and up Pams driveway all the way to the front door!

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Madison had a great day of therapy and took advantage of every activity put in front of her. The heat posed a challenge with her AFO’s and constant activity but she ate and drank a tonne which kept her going. Mommy was so proud to see Madi working hard and had smiles all day. 

Physio at Grandview:

Riding at WindReach with her new horse Ooma! 

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Madi got her new scooter today that is a super fun way of getting around the house, but more importantly will help her build some leg muscle!

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Her day ended with some good work in her basement. Treadmill walking, standing practice and walking on high knees. Jack loves watching his big sister and wants to try everything she does. 

Madi and Jack had Nate, Uncle Mark, Nana & Papa over for breakfast this morning to celebrate Daddy’s birthday. They had so much fun playing on the swings, with the water table, bubbles and in the playhouse.

Everyone has been feeling burnt out since being home with all the appointments and non stop work that is so very important for Madison’s progression, so it was nice to start the day enjoying family time outside. 

Madi has grown so much since the surgery- check out her length on the hanging bars!!

Madi had a good session in the basement tonight. She walked on her treadmill a little less than usual but she did a great job with her activities of choice and stood for 20 seconds!

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Madi & Jack were up bright and early and ventured into Aunt Emily’s room to wake her up. After some time lying around everyone ventured downstairs to breakfast, got some stuff done, opened some presents and then headed to Grandma and Grandpa’s for birthday celebrations. 

Aunt Emily and Daddy celebrated their birthday’s having a BBQ and playing in the backyard. No Physio today…just down time and enjoying the weather.

The kids were wiped out from the sun and slept for two hours when they got home. Aunt Emily helped Mommy re-organize both Madison and Jack’s rooms by sorting and boxing up all their clothes from the past year, cleaned out their closets and made Madison’s room much more accessible to promote independence and to help her develop some of her self help skills like getting dressed or brushing her hair. Thank you Aunt Emily for helping get the house back in order!

Madi had a great morning at school. She was so thrilled to see Tiffany after class and catch up! Thank you Tiffany for the kids gifts they loved them and loved seeing you!

Madi then headed to Variety Village for Physio with Stephanie. She had a rough start as she was super tired but turned it around and worked so hard! She did lots of walking in her Gaitors and near the end she took her first independent steps since surgery! 3 steps! ​​

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Madi and Jack then went to visit Nana who is now home from the hospital and feeling much better! 

Once they were home Aunt Emily arrived to visit for the weekend. Madi was super excited to play in the backyard and check out her new bubble machine. 

Madi and her classmates and teachers celebrated the end of the school year by visiting Riverdale Farm this morning. They visited the goats, duck pond, horses and cows. They ended their time together having snacks and singing lots of songs in a big music circle. It was such a nice way to end her last year at Centennial. Graduation is next Friday!

Madi and Ben had a lunch date after the farm. Ben did a great job eating while Madi chatted away and didn’t eat much. They played with play dough, encouraged each other to use the potty and had some kinder eggs for their treat. Madi asked if she could live at Bens house…clearly she had an awesome time haha 

Madi worked super hard with Jo-Anne this afternoon. She LOVES all of her toys and unique ways she is challenged. They did lots of strength building exercises and Mommy is now filled with new ideas of things that can be done at home to compliment the St Louis home program. Thanks Jo-Anne!

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Madi & Jack enjoyed the evening exploring the backyard. Madi cleaned up her playhouse kitchen and Jack lounged and watched. 

More equipment is slowly making its way into the house. Daddy is almost done building Madi’s stairs and Mommy picked up Madi’s ‘Total Gym’ equipment for her to work on her sliding squats everyday to strengthen her quads. Her basement gym is going to be re-configured this weekend as things are added. Other things on the way: Vibrafit vibration plate, scooter saucer, peanut ball and new therabands. 

Madison had a very intense day today. She had moments of struggle, but pushed through and was amazing!

Her morning at school was wonderful. She is so happy to be back and worked hard. She was super thrilled to see her BFF Ben who gave her a bracelet from his trip to Jamaica.

Jack joined her for music circle. Once the song he loved finished, he was no longer happy to be a part of it haha. Either that or he couldn’t see Mom.

After school Madi and Jack went out for lunch with Mommy and then headed to March of Dimes. Madi had a 2 hour session with Monika where she did walking in her canes and Walker, different cruising activities and floor activities that all revolved around a camping theme!

Madi and Jack then went home to relax and have dinner. After dinner Madi headed to Grandview to do some PT with Kate. They did different activities to work on strengthening dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, side stepping and standing. 

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Madi was super excited when she woke up this morning – after 7 weeks away… She went back to preschool! Her teachers reported that she was very happy, engaged and participated in everything. Mommy was thrilled to see Madi’s big smiles and laughs when she did pick up. Madison said her favourite part of the morning was riding the trike all by herself and baking cookies. She is super excited to be reunited with her BFF Ben tomorrow at school!

After school, Madi headed to PT at Grandview with Kate.

Madi was so excited to spend a few hours in the afternoon hanging out with Emily. Her and Jack then headed to Pam and Medfords for dinner and popsicles!