There is a new theme in my life. Happiness. Who would have thought? I most certainly didn't. After 4 1/2 long hard years I have come to place of happiness that I did not believe was within my reach.
Today, Carter was a guest client at Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc. http://nextstepoandp.com/ for a tour of the facility along with demonstrations. Carter, My father and I met John Stephen, Republican candidate for Governor. Mr. Stephen asked Carter if he could have his picture taken with him. Within seconds Carter had posed himself, arm around Mr. Stephen, prosthetic leg over Mr. Stephen's leg, (to make sure of course the camera was able to get a good angle of his prosthetic) and head resting on Mr. Stephen's shoulder ever so perfectly grinning his best smile! A moment of amazement flows through me and I realize that my son is on his way to making a difference in this world.
Throughout the afternoon, Matthew J. Albuquerque, CPO, owner and vice president of Next Step O&P referred to some of the challenges that our family has faced and overcome and everything came to fruition for me. The growth that has come of this heartache was being shed in a new light. For once, I did not see the rough road ahead of us, I saw the rough road behind us. Seeing Carter impact peoples lives right in front of my very eyes was amazing and surreal.
His independence and ability to socialize with people of all ages is something very special. Without the amazing prosthetics that Next Step makes for Carter he would not have the confidence he exudes every day. During a demonstration in the prosthetic and orthotic fabrication room we were able to see the different steps it takes to create a prosthetic limb. Each client is given the oppurtunity to make the prosthetic their own by choosing how it will look cosmetically. An extra that Carter gets on his prosthetic is a fabric inlay of his choice, of course he has chose spongebob for his last two legs. Not only does this involve the client in the process it gives them something far more important, Pride and Confidence. I shared with the group that for Carter the fabric is not just a fabric, it is something far more important. On his 1st day of pre-school he was confident and excited to show off his spongebob leggy and it opened an oppurtunity for the other children to relate to Carter. The relief that gives me as a parent is priceless.
Before leaving the event a guest pulled me aside to introduce himself. He starts by telling me he had the privlege of sitting with Carter at lunch and enjoyed hearing his stories. Wayne Penn, Biomedical/Mechanical Engineer for DEKA Research & Development Corporation along with a few clients of Next Step including a man who uses a Deka Arm, http://nextstepoandp.com/PDFs/Apr10_EDGE-What%27sNext-DARPA.pdf, listened to Carter describe his first time at the ocean. He tells them that he didn't like the little waves because they were boring, he liked the big waves because they were fun to boogie board on! Hearing Wayne recount his lunch with Carter filled me with such joy and happiness. Carter has already made such and impression on thousands of people and he is only 4 1/2 years old, this is truely a blessing!
Being a part of this community of people has changed our family forever. The amazing people we meet along the way is what gives our family Hope and Strength. Over the past couple of months our family has experienced so much happiness that all the dark parts seem to fade. Truely, Carter is our SunShine on a Rainy Day!
