Carter is Loving his New Leg

Here are some pictures of Carter and his new leg. I also took some pictures of all his past legs. Such a cool transition to see. Scott and Dave have outdone themselves again with getting Carter back up and walking. Carter shows everyone his new leg. It is so cute. He lifts his pant leg and says "Look I got a new leg and I scratched it all up"!!! Thats for you Dave!!!!!! I think of you every time he says it!!!!!! We love everyone at Next Step and all their gross out toys especially!!!!!

Much Love from the Meads

Including Samuel

My heart and mind is filled with so many things right now. I was sent an email from a friend today with a link to a NH Public Movie that was on TV tonight. I knew if she asked me to watch this movie than it must be important. I can not say enough about this documentary, "Including Samuel". The family dynamic of the Habib's felt so familar to me. The Habib family put together various stories including theirs to educate people on Inclusion and the diversity they and others face everyday.

Since Carter was born I have read and watched many documentaries written by parents of disabled children or Doctors specializing in pedicatrics. I HAVE NEVER felt the way I feel now after seeing "Including Samuel". So many details of this hit home for me especially the relationship between Samuel and his older brother. I wonder if my boys are old enough to watch this and understand it? I know someday they will and I will be sure to show it to them, of course Im buying the DVD.

I have so many friends that I thought of tonight watching the program. Stories that seemed so familar to theirs. The struggles they face everyday in the school system were touched upon in such great detail. I know that so many people watching felt a connection to one or all of the stories told.

Here is the website and I encourage everyone to check it out. It is only 58 minutes and is such a great story. http://www.includingsamuel.com/

Thank You J, you don't even know how much you made my day!

Footbridge over Merrimack River

Carters New Leg

Carter had an appointment this week at Next Step to talk about his new leg. While we were there Scott, his prosthetists, casted his leg and made 2 molds for a socket. The foot will remain the same as well as the mechanics in the foot. Hopefully Carter will be in a new leg within a few weeks. While we were there we did put his exsisting prosthetic on to see how it fit. He kept telling us he wanted to run around, however we did not let him. There could potentially be harm done because the prosthetic no longers fits. Once he gets his new prosthetic that is custom fit to his new shaped leg he will be able to run around all he wants. Im sure he will keep me running too!

Call from New Zealand

I am asking for help. We received a phone call from a young man in New Zealand last week. Due to land line issues we were disconnected before I could get his name and number. Apparently his sister found Carter on the internet somewhere and gave her brother the information to contact me. Carter and this young man share many things in common. Im hoping however his sister found me the 1st time she will do it again and let her brother know that I would very much like to talk to him again.

Carter and Chase

Some pictures I took this morning. Im wondering if Carters new cast will last until next Monday when it is supposed to come off at the post op visit!

New Haircuts

LightSticks

Just when I was about to reach my breaking point Mike came home with light sticks for the boys and they are in the yard playing with them right now. I feel guilty I don't even want to go out. I just want quiet! I can hear them tho and they are having fun!

Behaivior Out of Control

I feel like this past month both kids are out of control. I know they are not getting as much social interaction as they should but that will come in the new year with school. They just won't listen to Mike and I at all. Child gates do not work on either child. Carter has this new thing where he likes to open the gate to the kitchen and get into the frig or the sink or anything that looks interesting. Yes, we have already tried a frig lock! He can get it open too! They have also become SNACK hogs and it is driving me batty. All they want are snacks. Provided they are healthy I have no issue but it feels like it is one after the other. They finish a banana and want a granola bar. I CAN NOT WAIT until they get into pre-school and have a little bit of a schedule and discipline from someone other than Mike and I. They seem to take discipline better from others than they do from us. I am not sure why, maybe they have just been home too long! I thought I would never want the day of school to come but right now I am welcoming it and I can not wait! I am not sure if it will be full time or part time but either way I know Mike and I need some sort of a break from this routine. This routine is not working anymore. Our 1st appointment for Carter with the Manchester School District is 11/18, then 11/26 then 12/4! I had a nightmare lastnight about calling the VNA program to inquire about Chase. I am not sure why but it was not pleasant. The woman was extremely rude to me and treated me like my children were lepors. I know this would not happen I guess just my internal fears coming through in my dreams. Why can't I dream about a vacation on an island where Im sleeping in a hammock with the wind blowing off the ocean, doesn't that sound a lot better?

Transition Meetings and what they all mean!

I have no idea. I just trust in my schedule and Maggie (Easter Seals) and I know it will go well.

I had a moment of weakness and called Manchester School District when I realized we had 3 appointments with them this month. Basically preparing Carter for his transition from Early Intervention Services from Easter Seals to OT, PT and Speech through the Manchester School District. This is a very scary process. I know what I have to bring and when I have to be there and I put my faith in God that it all turns out for the best. My biggest question is where will he go to school and how will he manage on the bus????? When I say manage I mean emotionally not physically. I know he will overcome any physical obstacle he faces with school. It is the emotional that I worry about now!

As for Chase we are also working on transitioning him from home to pre-kindergarten. OH MY GOD my 1st born in pre-kindergarten. Just so overwhelming all at once. Anyone know of a good local program for a 4 year old that is accredited? I do not even know where to begin. I just know every time we take the highway to Bedford he sees Kinder Care and says "Mom that is my school". I would also like Chase to bus to school. I want them to be independent in that mannner. I have to be at work at 6 am.... and with one vehicle I think he needs to bus as well.....

Okay enough venting....... Phew~!