Kevin's Healing Journey

Friday, November 3, 2017

September Activities and a Story of Understanding

Every year it is my goal to see all 5 of my nieces and nephews in their fall activities and sports. They live 3 1/2 hours from us. That's five different schedules (2 soccer, 1 cheer, 1 cross country, and 1 marching band) to try and coordinate the least amount of travel for us. I saw my niece's cross country meet (only 2 hours away) while Kevin was still in the hospital. I strategically planned a weekend visit home to see 2 soccer games and 1 cheer game with an added bonus of my niece and nephew going to homecoming dance and Jon and Kevin were able to fit in a comic expo with the boys and an extra extra bonus the Steelers were playing on TV and my nieces made me a birthday cake. My plan got foiled when the cheer game was canceled that weekend. So my brilliant plan of one weekend ended up being two weekends in a row. I decided to go back the following weekend by myself to see my niece's cheer game and I was able to add my nephew's marching band competition (which I wasn't planning on seeing until next month). I love seeing the kids find their niche and being able to see them experience it.

I have to share this story. I had been undecided about returning that second weekend for cheer and band. A few days before I began talking it through on the phone with my sister and later with a friend. Trying to weigh my options because it meant being away three weekends in a row with Kevin's birthday trip to Niagara Falls the following weekend. After I made the decision to go I then had to decide whether or not to take Kevin with me...again more talking it through. Kevin was just there with the family and would be seeing my parents the weekend after for his birthday. Jon had tentative plans to take Kevin to a wrestling show and to visit Grandma. I decided to keep it simple and give myself a respite and go by myself for one night. I packed my overnight bag and put it in the car so Kevin wouldn't see the "going on a trip" signs. Before leaving that morning, Jon and Kevin and I had breakfast out together at one of our favorite places. Kevin began crying at the table. It broke my heart. I instantly knew he knew I was leaving without him. I never talked to him about it but I definitely talked about it around him. I was stunned and felt guilty that I was going to see family without him. I began quickly calculating how long it would take me to run home pack up Kevin's supplies and take him with me and still make it in time for the cheer game. But Jon told me no...Kevin would be fine...and they had a good weekend together. Here's the thing...The first thing most special need parents will tell a kid or someone not used to interacting with a person who is non-verbal or unable to express himself is to talk to them as if they understand and are aware of everything you say and do. I know Kevin understands, is aware, and takes it in...but sometimes it doesn't connect for him...so it's difficult to determine how much he takes in when he doesn't always express himself...and apparently I forget when I'm not focused on him. I am so grateful for Kevin's Talker and pray that he is able to use it to express himself more and more...so that I don't make the mistake of underestimating him again. I am also thankful for the moments happy or sad that Kevin is able to express and make it known to me.

Comic Expo in Cincinnati

Homecoming Dance
I threatened to show up at the dance if my
nephew and niece didn't get a photo together.

Ryan and his date

Watching the marching band competition

Kevin and Dad at the WCW "World Championship Wrestling"
Apparently, Kevin loved it...oh boy!

Thursday, November 2, 2017

September & October Art

September 15, 2017 - Modeling Clay with Emily and Therapy Dog

This is a good activity for his left hand and no worries because it's gluten-free.

I like playing with the modeling clay too and making the color purple.

September 26, 2017 - Paint with Emily

The hospital photographer stopped by to take a picture of Kevin and Art Therapist, Emily.

It was posted on Instagram and Facebook.

October 3, 2017 - Plexiglas Painting with Emily

Grandee saw Kevin's painting in the window and exclaimed it looked like an abstract turkey.

Do you see the turkey?

October 10, 2017 - Scarecrow & Circle Pumpkin with Regina

October 24, 2017 - Watercolors with Emily

October 31, 2017 - Halloween Mask Painting with Emily

Dance Unlimited Performances - Fall 2017

October 20, 2017 - Dancing for the Kids at Akron Civic Theater

Dance Song: Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson

This was a really fun performance and Kevin was hamming it up backstage.

September 29, 2017 - Community Health Center Walk Performance

Dance Song: D.A.N.C.E. (from the movie Trolls)

Dance instructor, Ms. Kellie always has heartfelt words of inspiration for the kids. I wish I could remember exactly what she said but hopefully you'll get the gist. She told the kids that the people they were dancing for at this performance have their own challenges and struggles. They see you dance with your challenges and that you can do it with joy and that gives them hope and inspiration.

My Blog

This blog was created to keep our family and friends updated on Kevin's healing journey. It is also our hope that others may find this blog to give help and hope to other delayed kids.

About Kevin

They told us Kevin would never walk or talk. But with lots of prayers, hard work, and extra hands, he began walking when he was four years old and we continue to have faith and hope as we wait patiently for his speech to develop. Kevin is now eight years old. He is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy due to a brain-injury he had before birth that was caused by a stroke. In 2006, before Kevin was 2 years old, we found Glenn Doman’s book "What To Do About Your Brain-Injured Child" that had answers to help children with special needs and developmental delays. We began an individualized home treatment program for Kevin immediately and have been dedicated to our program ever since. We spent three years with the Doman family at The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP) and now we are with Matthew and Carol Newell at The Family Hope Center (FHC). Twice a year we return to Philadelphia where Kevin receives a neurological evaluation to determine the progress he has made in the last six months. Then they provide us with an individualized, program that puts me in charge to help Kevin develop and reach his fullest potential.

Do You Know a Delayed Child?

The best recommendation we can give to another parent with a special needs or developmentally delayed child (brain-injured, brain-damaged, mentally retarded, mentally deficient, cerebral-palsied, epileptic, autistic, athetoid, hyperactive, attention deficit disordered, developmentally delayed, or down's) is to read Glenn Doman's book What To Do About Your Brain-Injured Child and/or Dr. Coralee Thompson and Dr. Philip Maffetone's book Healthy Brains, Healthy Children. By simply reading these books, you will gain valuable information to help your child which will begin to unlock the potential your child has. And best of all you will learn that there are other options to helping your child that you can do yourself. We would also highly recommend attending the parent course at FHC or IAHP. To read how our journey began and the successful progress Kevin has had refer to the January 2010 blog archive.