Physical Therapy Update

As you might remember from past posts, Izzy has been receiving physical therapy (PT) from a fantastic therapist named Shannon at Shriner's twice a month since February 2010. She has been there with Izzy through everything...from the day he received his first pair of legs. She has become family and we all are beyond thankful for the role she plays in our life. The day we stop therapy will be bitter sweet for sure. I can't imagine not seeing Shannon twice a month!

Along with that he has also had PT at home through Early Intervention once a month for even longer than that (I can't remember when we started...but I want to say I think Izzy was around 6-8 months?!). Izzy has had two different therapist there and we just learned that Sarah (our current therapist) is moving. While we are excited for her new adventure in her life, she will be missed in our life for sure.
(This isn't a great pic...I better get a good one at our last visit next week!)

In January of this year we started a 8 week intensive physical therapy treatment program locally with a new therapist. Izzy went twice a week and met with a great therapist named Trent. They got along wonderfully and Izzy made leaps and bounds in the 16 times we were there! Some might ask "Why so much PT?" Trent had a perfect analogy, which is this..."If you were training to run a marathon, you wouldn't just run twice a month and expect to do well. You would need to train multiple times a week. And with each time you would get better and better." It is the same thing with Izzy and walking. He is learning to run his own "marathon" of sorts. Walking with prosthetic legs at such a young age requires a ton or work. Izzy worked so hard and I am VERY proud of him. He went from not taking any independent steps (Meaning not using a walker or holing onto anything or anyone's hands), to taking 15 steps...35...70...100...300...and we stopped counting! While Izzy still prefers to use his walker (of which he has absolutely mastered) he can walk independently. Now he just needs more practice and to gain more confidence in his abilities.
(Izzy & Trent playing their own version of "Angry Birds")

One thing I have learned from all three of these different physical therapists is that they absolutely love their job. They heard their calling for life and jumped into it. I am SO very thankful for that, and Izzy one day will be too.They are all amazing at what they do and the ways they interact with children. It blesses my heart to watch them work. Their ability to be super creative in getting Izzy to work when he thinks he is playing a game always amazes me. And the way they are tough enough to not be effected when Izzy gets mad at them for making him do something hard, yet at the same time being sensitive to his every need is a gift. Thank you Shannon, Sarah & Trent for everything you do for Izzy (And our whole family)...I hope you know just how much you are loved and appreciated.