Olcott Beach NY Lake Ontario

Im rather fond of this family picture.
Mike set the camera on the timer. One take and I was happy.
I love my family!

Summer Fun July 2009

ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS WITH CHASE AND CARTER.

Put on a Happy Face

That is all I feel I can do sometimes is put on a happy face! Im trying very hard to accept and understand why my boys have these medical obstacles. Just when life seems to get back to "normal" another obstacle arises. After spending my day at the doctors office and at prosthetics Im feeling very battered!

Is it possible that there is a reason for the card my boys were dealt? I ask myself this every day but after almost 4 years I still have not found the answer. Until a month ago I felt I had accepted the card that was dealt to Carter. Now Im wondering why both of my boys have to deal with these series of unfortunate events. Some people believe that my children are so special God chose them to bear these burdens. Some wonder if it is all just based on scientific luck of the draw. Most say "everything happens for a reason". Well Im searching really hard for the reason and the answers to all of my questions. Over the past 4 years my faith has been beat up and tossed into the trash. So once you loose your faith where do you turn?

Facebook taking over.....

I have seriously negelected my blog. Apparently I let Facebook take over. I can not let this happen. I have put too much time and effort into this blog. Does anyone still look at it?

Cute Flipbook of Carter Mastering Stairs at Doors Pond

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.