Never say never!
Luke has thrived with all the help and support he has received through Inland Regional Center/ Early start program. They have provided him with speech therapy twice a week, an occupational therapist once a week, and a play therapist once a week. Four days a week of therapy! I have watched him work hard at mastering areas that he once had trouble with. It is amazing what can be accomplished. I was talking to his wonderful play therapist, Cindy. She has been such a support for me all the way along. Always bringing me books, sharing stories with me, putting a little pressure on me when I needed a push. I can’t tell you the ways she has impacted Luke’s life. She continuously reminds me that in all her years of experience she never counts anything out. She has worked with children that were told they would never see, with visual stimulation and therapy, she has watched eyes improve. This just amazes me. Learning to see?? Wow! Children born with some of the most serve problems, turn around and lead a perfectly normal lives. I will never forget her story of a boy she helped for years and years that she believes had severe Apraxia like Luke. It just was not diagnosed as that back then. His family was told he was mentally impaired. No one could understand him. She knew differently. She stood by his side and helped him through many things, even helped him pass his driving test in high school. Last time she talked to him he was studying to become an underwater welder!
Well, I am a believer. A believer that all things are possible. A believer in spirit and soul. I hear people say they don’t think God is in the business of performing miracles anymore. I don’t think they are looking very hard.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Jen
Luke has really come a long way in the last year, I think our prayers are being answered. Never say something can’t be done.
Love you all.
Pops
August 14th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
And so the summer goes - bright shiny as the sun. See the halo of light in your hair, mother and son. It is as if God has reached down and touched two of His favorite people with love. And the smiles tell it all - here there is hope and joy and beauty in the face of a child, a little boy who just loves life! Keep smiling little Luke, God will continue to bless you!
We love you all,
Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob
August 15th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Hello Jen,
I stumbled across your blog the other day and have now bookmarked it for reference. I REALLY enjoy your outlook and optimism on your families journey with apraxia. I also have a son with apraxia. Nathan will be 3 this coming Tuesday (Aug. 18th) and has just “graduated” from our states early intervention program. He received speech therapy 2x/mo., play therapy 2x/mo. and 3 hours of preschool each week. Not nearly enough one on one and he has not made especially great progress this past year. I feel I sometimes live in denial about how serious the issue is but, when I open my eyes, I see there is a great opportunity to get to work here!
Last week, after reading through some of your entries and also in light of early intervention ending I went to the local Lakeside Learning and purchased some small items for use with Nathan at home. I set up a big desk in the living room and am planning to do much more one on one with him at home.
He has about 40 words, mostly unintelligible to anyone but family and all spoken in a monotone. He puts 2 and 3 words together now (ie: “mommy wake up!”, “Lightening go fast”, Nay Nay (Nathan) do”, etc. I guess if I look back on Nathan 1 year ago he really has come a LONG way. He was only saying “ooof” this time last year! He would use “ooof” for everything.
Anyway, I find a lot of similarity between your son and mine and maybe we can share progress with eachother? I am either going to start a new blog for Nathan or just start writing progress reports on my own blog.
I really look forward to reading more as your son learns to find his voice!
- Jenny
http://www.sunboxstudio.com/blog/jenny
August 16th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Hi Jenny, So glad you found me. I was looking at your blog. Yes, seems we have alot in common! Your pictures are wonderful, and your children are so precious. We have also had concerns about Luke having seizures. After the winter months last year they seemed to magically disappear. But I just had this strange feeling that when we head back into the fall with all the sickness going around if that would trigger them again. I have noticed even if Luke gets a little cold it seems like his problems start back up. Would love to know more about what you’ve dealt with. I can honestly say the thing that has helped Luke the most is getting with a speech therapist who knows how to use the Nancy Kaufman method in treating children with Apraxia. I also attended her conference and it was the best thing I could ever done. She is the Apraxia guru!! I encourage you to check into Nancy Kaufman if you haven’t already. I Look forward to sharing with you. Prayers for your sweet Nathan and family- Love,Jen