THERAPY AT CHAMPION SPORTS IN ROCKFORD, MI
Josh started therapy at Champion Sports a couple weeks ago. It is a branch of the therapy at the Rehab. Institute of Michigan over in Detroit. We have already seen great progress.
Eric went with Josh to therapy today. I got a really excited call while I was at work today. Eric just couldn't wait to tell me that Josh "walked" 310 feet with only one rest.
"Walked" means he wore special leg braces and used a walker to "walk" the 310 feet. The leg braces have a special (and very expensive) mechanism that allows the knee to lock and unlock so he can walk in a normal fashion. I asked Eric if he thought Josh was really doing the work or if the braces were. He said it looked like Josh was using his own muscles to make his legs move.
Josh's old leg braces stayed locked at the knee until he was ready to sit down, which meant he "walked" stiff-legged. He would have to swing both his legs forward as he used his upper body strength to lift himself up. It was very exhausting. Josh was extremely frustrated with the old ones since they didn't allow him to "walk" in a normal fashion. He saw them as useless and hardly ever used them, even though it was a small step toward "walking" and allowed him to be up in a standing position.
The old braces are very heavy and cumbersome. The new ones are light and should be a lot easier to move. I don't know how they can expect paralyzed people to move their legs with HEAVY braces on them. Sounds a little ridiculous to me, but I guess they had to start somewhere. I am so glad for all this new technology... and right when we need it!
We now need to purchase Josh's own pair of these special leg braces. They are really expensive. We are in the process of getting them approved by Josh's physiatrist (rehab. doctor) and then need approval from our insurance. The braces cost a little over $13,000. Told you they were expensive, but very necessary for this therapy to work. Please pray that they will be approved by the physiatrist and the insurance. They have been very generous already, but we need them to "come through" for the equipment needed for the therapy.
Just had to tell you the good news. We were so ready for some good news.
We'll keep you posted,
Sue
About Me
- Sue Holt
- We have 5 children and 5 grandchildren with one on the way. Eric and I were married in 1984 and are still together today. We met in church and raised our kids in that same church, We are still very involved at this same church. God has been there for us through many ups and downs in our family life. We have struggled with children with ADD, hyperactivity, strong wills, addictions, and one that became paralyzed at the age of 15 due to a car-pedestrian accident...he was the pedestrian. Eric and I have had to work through relationship issues (as do most couples), job loss, and financial problems. Even though we are believers, that doesn't mean we will never have problems. We just know that God is there for us through these struggles. There has been a lot of growth through these times.
