Merry Christmas

Hello everyone-

Since coming back from Sikeston therapy in Nov. we have been hitting the walking hard. He's really progressing in that department. His PT here has done a lot of treadmill walking with him so that he gets that repetitive walking motion.

He also got glasses. I know what your thinking-glasses? I thought he was blind? Well we can tell he doesn't track anything. The deal is that besides his brain damage that is making him not able to see he also is nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other. So even without the brain damage he would need glasses. We decided it was worth a try to get glasses and see if it helps him any. So far there's no major change. But he couldn't tell us even if there was so we are just going off of observation. On a not so fun note of updates-he is having more seizures. Not the big ones but still more. Please continue to pray for those to stop.

Christmas was great. Food, family, and just relaxing. Christian loved to hear the paper tearing off of his presents. We also visited Santa at Silver Dollar City. The santa was great!!! He loved the jingle bell sounds!

Video-One video is of him walking in Sikeston. I was pushing the walker but he was doing all of the leg work. The other is of me helping him walk by himself. He seems to enjoy not being strapped in to anything to walk.

last day

Today was our last day at therapy in Sikeston. 3 weeks seems to really fly by when your on an all day schedule everyday. I wanted to take this time to say thank you again to all who are involved with making these types of trips for therapy possible. I hesitate to even list the people but I will try--thanks to family, friends, strangers, dodgeball players/volunteers/donators, cookie makers, garage sale buyers, therapists, and many more who I probably am not aware of!!! You are all making a difference in Christian's life.

I hope that the words, pictures, and videos can convey the message that therapy like this (along with others) is helping Christian get stronger which in turn helps with his progression to sit, stand, walk on his own. Our goal is for him to become more independent in every area. When we come to new places like this one it is also opening the door to learn more about equipment, techniques, and ideas to take home. I have seen a huge change in Christian's strength which is allowing him to stand longer with little assistance, walk farther and more correctly (is that a phrase?), sit up taller. . . We appreciate all of the work and love that you all put in to our son!

THANK YOU -THANK YOU
The Russells

The video is of walking he did this week. Also there is a wide angle of the big room that we worked in.

Wow!

Today was a great day at therapy! I would say today and yesterday have been his best days. But of course he should be able to do more and improving the last week due to all of the work he has done up until this point.

I would say he was either standing or walking in his walker the last 2 hours. He had some small breaks but not much. And of course worked on sit to stands but that's still hard work. He did the most walking he's done in a good while. His trunk control while sitting and standing is great. He's able to stand longer with very little support from the therapist. Longer meaning 10-15 seconds maybe. I was very pleased with him today!

Videos: Christian walked in his walker (with us pushing, him stepping) to the tactile wall. He liked playing with the stuff on it today.

just my thoughts

As we've been here doing therapy I've found myself thinking in my head "man if Christian could just see he would probably be able to do so much more". Of course, we learn most of what we know by using our vision. Most of our motivation is what we can see-crawl towards the toy, walk towards mommy, see the food -pick it up , see me move my mouth to talk and copy that. . .
I usually don't get hung up on his lack of vision and the role it plays in his life but for some reason this last week it has been on my mind more. Christian does a great job of using his ears and hands to tell him different things and somewhat motivate himself. I am still amazed at what he can do and will be able to do even with lack of vision. The thing that struck me last night was that last January when we were in Kansas City doing therapy and Christian was having 5 to 7 grand mal seizures a day I said to myself "man if Christian just didn't have seizures he could do so much more". Hmmm and today Christian has been grand mal seizure free for 6 months. It's like God reminded me of what He's already done and what He will do. I'm reminded that nothing is impossible for God-not brain damage, not seizures and certainly not cortical blindness! I anticipate every tomorrow and what it holds!

videos and pics on the previous posts.

it's monday

Well today was ok considering Christian has touched by the southest mo allergy season. The cotton and soybean and other farmland is being uhh (i did not grow up on the farm, just close by)--well they are taking it from the farm soo the dust is a flyin. So he was a little puny today. Although daddy got to watch him work for a little bit. Here are videos from last week.

Christian is proving that you can sit or stand on a horse to get a workout. No animals were harmed in the filming of this video:)

week 2 is over-pics and vids

Thisweek Christian tried out a couple of new walkers just to say how he would work with them. We also moved around some parts on his walker to try to help his position for walking. It's nice to try out some other walkers because you normally don't get to try any out unless a facility happens to have one. I feel like it's like buying a car before test driving any. You just see one in a magazine or test drive one and then have to go with it.

He did some great walking on weds and thursday but i was helping so don't have pics or videos. sorry!

The picture above with his head down is in a room where it is dark and they use a black light to for kids with visual impairments. She was trying to see if he would respond to any of the objects that were lit up under the black light. Unfortunately we didn't see much of a difference from him. But thanks for trying Brandy!

Volunteers make it happen. .

Thank you to everyone who donated their time and energy to donate or work for the tournament! We are so blessed to have family and friends who truly care and want to make a difference in Christian's life!

thank you's

Christian's past 2 days have been really productive. His walking is getting more consistant and smoother and he's doing it correctly. I don't think i could explain what correctly means without getting technical about muscles, tone, and all that therapy stuff. I can tell he's just getting stronger. I think on tues he had just hit a wall and was very tired and thus not as motivated. I"m still working on videos and pics so in the mean time check out some stuff from the 2nd Annual "Dodging to make a Difference" Fundraiser.

Thank you to the businesses that donated:

Ozark- Burger King, Lamberts, Rib Crib, Express Care Valvolin, Shoneys, Sonic, Salon 3:16, Grumpy's Ice Cream and Sandwiches, Price Cutter, Taco Bell, Godfathers, Dominoes

Springfield-Hilites Hair Salon, Hotel of Terror, Ozarko Tire Center, TGIF, Chesterfield Family Center

Branson- Auntie Anne's, Chateau on the Lake, Travelhost, Shorty Smalls, Montana Mikes

Nixa and others- Casey's Pizza

Others-Tshirts Image Pro Group (ohio) and State Farm Sharon Bryant

week 2

Christian is. . . getting stronger, impressing me at times, making me say "huh", melting my heart, teaching me, . . .and so much more.

Last week Christian so impressed me with his endurance and adapting to a new place and voices. This week well. . .yesterday was great. While working on the horse he was holding on to a pole on each side. I was so shocked at how well he held on with his left hand (which is his weak hand). He wasn't using his tone and clutching the pole for life but actually actively using muscles to hold it loosely. Sounds simple but not when your brain usually tells you to hold really tight. I"m trying to get a video on of that.

Today was a different story. He didn't want to use his legs. hmmm that's not good. He was just kind of blah with the legs. It's hard when he does so well and then one day has just a blah day and doesn't seem to want to do much. I have to remember he's working harder than ever and it is tiring.

I'm learning a lot of new things to do with him as well. Things I can take home!

The video is of him doing sit ups!

The Suite

Christian wears a suite during some of his therapy. In the video the therapist explains what it does. It's pretty neat stuff. Makes the work he does a little harder because it is making him use the correct muscles. He also wears another piece of equipment during sitting and standing that she will explain.
She is trying to strengthen his legs, glutes, and trunk so that he can do things like sit, stand, walk, ect. He has come so far from a year ago and I am so proud of him and how hard he works!

First week at the Kenny Rogers Center

Hello everyone. My we have been busy so that's why i'm just posting some updates. We had the dodgeball tournament and then left for Kansas City to get hyperbaric oxygen treatments which we had to leave early because Christian got an ear infection. We will return later for more treatments. Now we are in Sikeston (my hometown) and Christian is getting intense physical therapy 3 hours a day, everyday for 3 weeks. I am blown away by how hard he works and doesn't complain. I was suprised he made it that long the first day. The center is amazing and his therapist Brandy is equally amazing. I'm including some pics and video. The first 2 are of christian being like his daddy and lifting weights! She is trying to strengthen his legs muscles and butt muscles (quads, hamstrings, and glutes).

"Dodging to make a Difference" Tournament

THANK You to all
who participated in the 2nd Annual Dodging to Make a Difference Dodgeball Tournament! I am thrilled to be able to have this event for the second year and look forward to next year! All proceeds raised go towards Christian's therapy. He is currently getting intense physical therapy in Sikeston at the Kenny Rogers Child Center. He is working for 3 hours everyday for 3 weeks! You all made this possible for him-you are making a difference!

Dodgeball Tournament -"2nd Annual Dodging to make a Difference"

-Saturday October 17, 2009
-Upper Elementary School Ozark MO
-Different age groups play at different times!
-Prizes for winning team and door prizes!
-Concessions and T-shirts available!
Information at http://www.dodgingtomakeadifference.blogspot.com/

My Blessings

I am reminded how incredibly blessed I am from the day to day happenings of my life. I'm thankful for everyday that Christian does not have seizures. I have not forgotten the long days of watching him have them, him falling asleep for hours, or bouncing constantly from the little ones. I don't want to take for granted each day that he is free of what I just mentioned. I remember to thank God when he falls asleep peacefully just because he's tired from the days activities. I'm thankful that he has been able to endure long sessions of therapy that are making an incredible difference in his quality of life. Before he was not able to do that. I feel freedom in the ability to take him here and there and not be interrupted by a seizure in public. Eric, Christian and I have experienced what it's like to have joy filled normal family outings this summer. We never had that until now and we cherish it. Thank you all for contributing to that through your prayers, time, and energy. Hug your kids tight and don't forget all of your blessings.

Videos of therapy

Sikeston Therapy was great

Fawn is massaging his hamstrings and getting them stretched out.












Christian does not like the sour taste he was just given for the first time.


We are done with our time here in Sikeston for our summer therapy. Thank you so much to the Kenny Rogers Child Center staff and therapists that worked with Christian-Elisa, Carrissa, Fawn, and Dana. Your kiddos back home are blessed to have such knowledgeable, caring, patient therapists. I appreciate the time and energy you put in to working with Christian.



I have learned a lot too that I can take home and work on with him. He is just getting so much stronger. I'm proud of all of the hard work he has done. I don't know if I could "workout" for one and a half hours a day. Mommy and daddy are proud of you!

The "sour" picture -let me explain. It is good for kids to experience all of the different tastes-sour, sweet , bitter. . . well he got the sour taste from a spray on his chewy. This helps activate different parts of the mouth. It was pretty funny. He didn't mind the lemon juice taste.

Videos of Christian working:

Dana (blue shirt) is working on stretching his arms and helping him sit up straight and the other video is going from sitting to standing.

3rd therapy session in sikeston

Christian has an OT and PT this time. They are working on strengthening his core muscles to help him sit properly. His obliques which are your abs on the sides need to be strengthened for a number of reasons. They are also working on using his hands for other things besides chewing on them.

White Water Fun

"i love the water"

We took Christian to white water for the first time and he loved it. We stayed in the lazy river most of the time. I'm disappointed that I just figured out that swim time equals a for sure nap time for Christian. Needless to say we are swimming more now. Enjoy the pics.

Results from the 2nd session of therapy in Sikeston

This is Christian putting weight in to his left arm and stretching.

We spent 8 days at Sikeston receiving the second session of NDT therapy with the same 2 Occupational Therapists from the first session. I have seen so much progress in Christian's upper body since then end of this session. I will get some video on here to show you what I mean. But for now I will just tell you.
-He is rolling from back to stomach anytime you put him on the floor.
-He is now rolling to the right also which was difficult for him because his left arm is weaker so he would not want cross his midline to swing it on over and roll to the right.
-when he rolls over on his stomach he can now get his right arm out in front and push his head and chest up and hold it there to play.
-his over all ability to hold his chest and head up for long periods of time is great.
-his left arm(weak arm) is so much more loose and we are able to help him use it during play.

We will head back in August for his last session. He will have physical therapist this time.
THANKS to the therapist and the Kenny Rogers Child Center for inviting us to this therapy!

This is what I've learned. . .

Watching your child stuggle

on any level

in any situation

at any age

no matter their abilities or disabilities

male or female

is physical heartache for any parent.

But watching them

rise above,

conquer,

take the high road,

and smile at the end of the stuggle is what makes us proud!

Just my thought for today that I learned months ago but hadn't shared:

When I couldn't possibly watch Christian have one more seizure (when they were everyday, all day). I realized that although my pain was great in having to watch my child suffer--God knew that pain because he watched his Son be crucified, mocked on the cross. So parents take heart that He knows what you're feeling.

Day 2 of Sikeston Therapy

Elisa and Carissa working with Christian on the ball. Sorry if I spelled your names wrong:) Christian looks like he doesn't like this but he was smiling right before I took this. Promise

No hands mom

"I love america"!
My cousins-Kourtney, Ethan, and Gavin

We were so excited to watch Christian sit by himself for 45 seconds while propping on his hands. He has never done this. It was cool to see him do something independent and to just watch him without doing assisting him.

The other pics are from I Love America event in Springfield over the 4th of July. He had a great time with his family and friends. The fireworks were beautiful and couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. The hayfield that it was in did nothing for his allergies but o well that's temporary.

This is me sitting without mommy's help.

Video from 1st session of therapy in Sikeston

Kenny Rogers Concert in Sikeston

These are pictures from Christian's first concert.

1st session of Therapy in the Bootheel

Carissa working with little C.

For those of you who are unsure of what I mean by the bootheel-Sikeston is my hometown and is in the "bootheel" of Missouri.-southeast missouri.

We have the Kenny Rogers Child Center. It provides therapy for children with disabilities. I came to visit back in April and signed up to bring Christian to participate in therapy. The center is training therapist in a specific type of training called NDT/Bobath (Neuro-Developmental Treatment). Basically they practice the correct movement patterns with the child to do functional everyday tasks. I know it's a lot more involved than that but that's the best way for me to describe it. The therapists come from all over to get this training. They are here for 8 weeks.

Christian has 2 Occupational Therapist that are working with him. One is from California and the other from Missouri. They are doing new stretches and therapy with his upper body. I'm so pleased with how knowledgeable they are and accommodating to Christian's strengths and weaknesses. He's been working really hard. I will get pics and video on when I can. I don't have my camera cord. We will come back in July and August for 2 more sessions.

We are enjoying being with my parents and seeing old friends. Tonite we are going to a Kenny Rogers concert. It is to benefit the center and it's expansion. Christian's first concert!

Take care everyone!

Last Post from Kansas City

Megan was being bad in this pic and giving me bunny ears. we are no longer on speaking terms:) i forgive you megan. THis is the hyperbaric chamber we were in for about 1 and half hours a day.

Man 4 weeks seemed to fly by this time while we were up here for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This time it was much different for us for several reasons. The main reason is of course the fact that Christian has been seizure free (except for a couple of seizures) for 5 weeks. Before coming up here his "big seizures" stopped and he was still having his little bouncy seizures (as we call them) and last saturday he stopped having those.
Since Christian was 7 months old I always wondered what it would be like to hold my son and have him not bounce and jerk and eventually curl in to a tight rigid ball and have a seizure. Now I know! Everyday I thank God for this gift. I wish that I could convey to all of you just how much of a miracle and gift this is to Eric and I.

It's like we are no longer walking under the black cloud of seizures everyday. I never realized how much of a stress it was until now because I realize how stress free our days are not having seizures. Eric and I would constantly look in on Christian if he was out of sight or look in the rearview mirror-in case he would have one. We planned everything-public outings, therapy, appointments, eating,- around his seizures. We knew just by his sounds he would make or lack there of if he were having one -even without seeing him. It became second nature to us. Our life is so different now without him having seizures.

We hope to bring Christian here at least once a year. We will be having our Dodging to Make a Difference Dodgeball Tournament again in September or October to raise money for the next round of treatments. Look for more dates and info later.

Changes I've noticed since the past 2 treatments of hyperbarics:
-no seizures
-left arm has loosened up and is moving more
-more verbal
-more responsive to talking
-taking more steps in his walker
-stays on all 4's longer
-head and trunk control is way better
-looking and turning to the left side
-chewing better
-balance while standing is better

THANK YOU HYPERBARIC HEALING INSTITUTE
I just wanted to say thanks to the owners and staff at HHI and Beyond Therapy. Owners David and Lisa Deister, staff Megan M. and PT Tiffany--you guys are the best!!! Thanks for giving us a place to bring Christian to get this kind of treatment. You are all 1 in a million.