Guess what Mason learned to do today? Climb the stairs! He’s amazing. I’m terrified. More on that later. For today I just want to rejoice with my boy that he’s strong enough to get where he wants to go.
Yikes! He's awesome, but I feel for you. How paralyzed are his legs, though? It looks like he's using his legs a little, the way they come up off the lower stair and kneel on the next higher stair. Is it just the physics of him using his upper body?
K that's a good question. Mason can pull his legs up at the hips some, one is a bit stronger than the other. He can't straighten his legs back out at the hip. Basically he is initiating that hip pull with abdominal muscles. He has learned to maximize the use of his abs to get his legs to move further by using his abs harder.
Hi Tristan, Great video! This brought a huge smile to my face.
I had the same thought as K. I'm sure this is a dumb question, but do you or doctors think that the way he is able to move his ab muscles and then his legs, that this will help him in the future? Maybe not walk completely on his own someday, but maybe more than what is thought now? I don't think I worded that properly, but I think you might understand what I'm trying to say.
He just seemed to raise his legs fairly well, like maybe someday when he's older and with training he can take that even further. Sorry if this is a dumb question. :)
Not a dumb question at all! In so much we can only say 'we don't know yet" for Mason. He will be able to learn to use what he can but we just don't know how far he will take it. We do know walking is impossible. He cannot hold his legs straight and bear any weight at all. If he wanted to when older I'm sure he could wear braces that hold his legs straight completely and use a motion similar to a person on crutches to get around. The two big drawbacks are he will have no balance (#1) and he will have to use so much upper body strength to move that he'll be exhausted pretty fast(#2). Too tired to do anything.
I am learning that with Mason I should never say never. He will find a way to do what he wants. I also have learned that walking is not essential for happiness, so it doesn't stress me out that he most likely won't ever do it at all. I still have my caught off guard moments when something makes me sad. Of course. And I kknow I'll struggle with Mason's realizations that he's different and limited in what his body can do as he grows up. But in general life is good!
Loved seeing him in action! I love following his updates. We recently had to gate our stairs going up after finding Halle on the 6th one! I about had a heart attack!! TTSB!
For kids like my daughter and Mason, there is so much hope in the future of medical research. There have been so many advances lately, I hope and pray that by the time they are adults, if not sooner, that there will be a nerve-regeneration break-through. I can remember some employee at a bike shop telling me that, "Perhaps my daughter isn't meant to ride a bike." Well, she's certainly savvy on a bike, all she needed was foot braces and lots of practice and a few inches of growing.
What an amazing little man!! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteGo Mason! How awesome is he?! :)
ReplyDeletewow! there's no stopping him, is there?!? :)
ReplyDeleteWay to GO!
ReplyDeleteYikes! He's awesome, but I feel for you. How paralyzed are his legs, though? It looks like he's using his legs a little, the way they come up off the lower stair and kneel on the next higher stair. Is it just the physics of him using his upper body?
ReplyDeleteK that's a good question. Mason can pull his legs up at the hips some, one is a bit stronger than the other. He can't straighten his legs back out at the hip. Basically he is initiating that hip pull with abdominal muscles. He has learned to maximize the use of his abs to get his legs to move further by using his abs harder.
ReplyDeleteHi Tristan,
ReplyDeleteGreat video! This brought a huge smile to my face.
I had the same thought as K. I'm sure this is a dumb question, but do you or doctors think that the way he is able to move his ab muscles and then his legs, that this will help him in the future? Maybe not walk completely on his own someday, but maybe more than what is thought now? I don't think I worded that properly, but I think you might understand what I'm trying to say.
He just seemed to raise his legs fairly well, like maybe someday when he's older and with training he can take that even further. Sorry if this is a dumb question. :)
Nely,
ReplyDeleteNot a dumb question at all! In so much we can only say 'we don't know yet" for Mason. He will be able to learn to use what he can but we just don't know how far he will take it. We do know walking is impossible. He cannot hold his legs straight and bear any weight at all. If he wanted to when older I'm sure he could wear braces that hold his legs straight completely and use a motion similar to a person on crutches to get around. The two big drawbacks are he will have no balance (#1) and he will have to use so much upper body strength to move that he'll be exhausted pretty fast(#2). Too tired to do anything.
I am learning that with Mason I should never say never. He will find a way to do what he wants. I also have learned that walking is not essential for happiness, so it doesn't stress me out that he most likely won't ever do it at all. I still have my caught off guard moments when something makes me sad. Of course. And I kknow I'll struggle with Mason's realizations that he's different and limited in what his body can do as he grows up. But in general life is good!
He's awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing! I'm so happy for you all. Yes, I know it's scary, but isn't any kid growing up a bit scary?
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing him in action! I love following his updates. We recently had to gate our stairs going up after finding Halle on the 6th one! I about had a heart attack!! TTSB!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mason, that is a great accomplishment. Your world just keeps getting bigger:)
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an accomplishment!!! Such a cute and determined little boy!
ReplyDeleteFor kids like my daughter and Mason, there is so much hope in the future of medical research. There have been so many advances lately, I hope and pray that by the time they are adults, if not sooner, that there will be a nerve-regeneration break-through. I can remember some employee at a bike shop telling me that, "Perhaps my daughter isn't meant to ride a bike." Well, she's certainly savvy on a bike, all she needed was foot braces and lots of practice and a few inches of growing.
ReplyDelete