Hers alone

Namine has had a walker since March. Ever since her therapist switched her to a rear-facing walker, her walking has improved by leaps and bounds.

Sometimes even literally – Namine will lift herself to a standing position on a piece of furniture and show us how she can kick and jump. The walker Namine has been using has been replaced; they are essentially the same, except for one key difference: this one is hers, and hers alone.

Namine’s previous walker was essentially a loaner. Not truly Namine’s, but for use by her. The wheels had been set in motion to Namine one of her very own, and this morning it was delivered. They actually delivered two walkers, unsure of which would be used: a smaller one, and a larger one. Namine has grown so much that the larger one was needed, contrary to their belief. They took the smaller one back with them when they took the loaner when they left.

Due to the caudal regression, Namine’s legs and feet are disproportionately sized to her upper body. But here is another fine example of where doctors were wrong in their predictions: her waist and hips seem to be growing in proportion to her torso, not her legs or feet. But even her legs are not the tiny things they once were.

Take a look for comparison. This picture was taken in 2009, and you can barely see her legs at all. We were convinced then, as we had nothing to go on but doctors’ word, that her legs would be tiny for the rest of her life. Unable to walk for the rest of her life. It was also quite likely – though we preferred not to let our thoughts go to this dark place – that her legs would need to be amputated by way of disarticulation. Namine almost did lose her left foot. Fortunately, doctors were able to save her foot.

It took much longer for Namine to recover, considering all the complications she suffered after the correct procedure was done, but recover she did. But she still had a long way to go. She still has a long way to go. My little love is a hard worker, though, and this isn’t just some Mom and Dad say I have to do it kind of thing. She wants to walk. She wants it, and she’s proud of how very far she’s come.

She has every right to be.

2 responses

  1. Wow! She is my hero.

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