Gideon Will Walk!

December 20, 2009

We have been home almost 8 months now and the word we have gotten from the Doctors both at Childrens in Cincinnati and Shriner's Orthopedic Center in Lexington was he will never walk. Get used to the idea of him being a "sitter". Get a powered wheelchair and we'll teach him to use it. I still wasn't satisfied and was feeling very frustrated. Our physical therapist, Molly suggested taking Gideon to Delaware to see Dr. Jay and his team. So in early November I made the appointment. Thursday Dec 17th Gideon myself and my sister Joy began our journey. The drive was supposed to be about 10 hours--North to Columbus then East to Wilmington Delaware across the Penssylvania Turnpike. Our 10 hour trip took 12 1/2 hours. After checking into the Ronald McDonald house and getting Gideon a quick bite to eat it was off to bed. Our appointments began at 9am with Reenee the physical therapist then to Marnie the Occupational therapist and finally with Dr. Jay at 12:45 and meet with all 3 for a plan. After 6 hours there we came away feeling great. Our Gideon will walk, they have no doubt. We have a long road ahead of us with many more trips back up to Delaware and surgery in the future but he will be able to walk. They had him in a gait trainer called the "up and go" and he was trying to walk--It was all so much to take in. He received 2 new sets of splints for his arms and hands and a new set for his legs. He will be fitted for new hip to toe braces in April after he has used these new ones and gone through weekly therapy. Well we were feeling very blessed and happy with the news but.....there was a huge snow storm brewing and we needed to get out of Delaware, sooo after spending all day at the hospital we packed up and hit the road about 4:30 friday evening and drove as quick as legal. We needed to get as far across the Pennsylvania turnpike as possible. The whole area was expected up to 2 feet of snow! Well about 9:00 pm the snow was starting. About 10:30 we were checking into a hotel for the night. It wasn't the nicest place but it had heat and hot water! Through all of this Gideon was an absolute angel. The next morning we awoke to about 8 inches of snow on the ground! After eating and listening to the forcast of continued snow we knew we needed to keep going so after cleaning off the car and purchasing some items for the trip home-gloves, flashlight, lighter, snow scraper, drinks and snacks we were once again on our way. Well as we started to get on the turnpike at the toll gate we asked the man how the roads were and he said they were not good. He said they were very bad and to stop at the next town about 35 miles away and ask them what Interstate 70 looked like before continuing on. He was right the roads were treacherous. But at the next town they said the worst was yet to come so we kept going. We passed 3 serious wrecks but we kept going and praying--we of course had everyone praying back home as well. So after 9 1/2 hours of driving on Saturday Gideon and I arrived home at 8:30 pm. We were carried home on the prayers of many! It was just an amazing trip provided by an amazing God and we are so blessed!