Labor Day Weekend

I am finding there are days I handle things well and days I don't. Today is one of those days I don't. The enormity of what Jake has ahead of him is hitting me really hard today. There is so much he has to re-learn...running, walking barefoot, walking on uneven surfaces like grass and sand, riding his bike, swimming, snowboarding...and those are just some of the physical things, the list goes on and on.

This weekend, we finally all got to the pool. We were so excited for the whole family to be able to go and enjoy a couple hours in the sun. Our OT at the hospital had suggested that walking in the pool would be great therapy for Jake. What didn't occur to us before we got there was how he would react when he realized his body didn't remember how to swim or even just kick his legs.

Shortly after this picture was taken he had a complete breakdown. He didn't understand why he couldn't kick his legs when he's been swimming since he was five. It was heartbreaking. Todd and I felt horrible that we hadn't anticipated his reaction, we thought he'd be so happy to be able to hang out in the pool with Luke and walk around. Big lesson learned on our part. His left foot is extremely sensitive and any texture such as carpet on his barefoot is really hard for him, so was the bottom of the pool. The heat of the pool deck and slipperiness didn't help anything either. Needless to say, our pool time was cut short.

I know we will all get this through this, and this was just one of those things that happened and we'll learn from it. There are also many positives that happen on a daily basis. Jake is getting much more independent around the house, and other than going up the stairs to the 2nd floor or to the basement, he's getting around completely on his own.  I just have to remind myself to continue to take things one day at a time.