Kintropy In Action

I haven't been spending enough time with Hannah lately. 

This fact was evident tonight when I was playing with Hannah.  After singing a couple of songs & performing the obligatory tickling, I helped her rise to a standing position on the hard floor.  Mixing play and PT is a good combo, I thought, and I was sure Hannah would enjoy the extra attention, encouragement, and musical rewards.

Then she took a step.

And another step.

Granted, I was still supporting Hannah under both arms, but she was doing a good, stiff-legged walk:  one foot after the other - the kind of walk one would do on crutches.  We walked on to the dining room/kitchen tile.  She took a few extra paces.  Her g-tube was tethered to the Kangaroo feeding pump, so we did a short semi-circle around the pump.

Hannah stood in place for a few minutes, catching her balance more than her breath.  I sung a reward, and she took a few extra paces.  Then she allowed her knees to buckle, indicating she was done:  it was time to sit and rest.

I was surprised.  I had been encouraging Hannah for several steps and some distance, completely unaware that she had been moving this direction for the last week or so.  Janette had said they'd been walking to and from the bathroom (Hannah is potty-training herself:  another unexpected milestone that Hannah set herself).  I had pictured much more assisted-walking like Hannah had been doing in the Rifton pacer for months.

But, no, Hannah is W-A-L-K-I-N-G.  Yes, she requires assistance and support, but I think we're not all that far away from some new-found independence for her.  Time to celebrate and to keep my eyes open for more of our kids' Firsts.  If I blink, I'll miss them.

-- Dad