CP Clinic

One of the many definitions of Cerebral Palsy is: a loss or deficiency of motor control with involuntary spasms caused by permanent brain damage present at birth. 

It is something David lives with daily and yet we really don't pay much attention to it as braces, walkers and wheelchairs have become our norm. As I have said in the past....David and disability are rarely used in the same sentence around our house....and yet the reality is.....David has cerebral palsy. By every definition of the word...David has a disability. 

Today David had CP (Cerebral Palsy) Clinic. This is a little appt. we go to every 6 months in which David gets a pretty thorough check up. It is kind of like his 3000 mile check where they check the oil, check under the hood, and rotate the tires. We have to get to the clinic at 7:30 a.m. to check in (us and a ton of other people). Then you are placed in a room and you wait to be visited by an orthopedist, a neurologist, a social worker, a nurse practitioner,  an occupational therapist (OT), a physical therapist (PT), a nutritionist, a dental hygienist, an orthotist, and a wheel chair specialist from CPR (Cerebral Palsy Research). Each visit we see the same professionals and each visit takes most of the morning (sometimes longer if a dr. wants blood work or x-rays or a longer consultation). Today we got out of there at about 11:30 a.m. which was awesome as David was just about out of good humor and his mother was nearly drained of patience. 

We found out from the orthopedist and PT that David's legs are doing well. They are pleased with his progress in the last 6 months and suggested we might add hippo therapy (horseback riding therapy) and aqua therapy (swim therapy) come summer. We also discussed getting David a stander for when he watches tv so that he is not sitting in a bad position (he likes to sit on his knees). Unfortunately a stander is way out of our budget and insurance will not cover it, so we moved on. She ended up by saying that  David needs to walk....walk....walk. The neurologist (our own sweet Dr. Shah) was as usual very happy to see David and said that since he (Dr. Shah) and I usually have to talk weekly that all was good with David and we can just stay where we are at on both meds and treatment. The OT talked to us about a tub chair for David to transition in and out of the tub easily (as now he either climbs over the side or gets lifted in). I told the nutritionist he eats like a pig; the hygienist checked his teeth ....said they looked great and gave us a new toothbrush; and finally..... David from CPR said my David will be due for a new wheel chair next year. For now....we just have to do maintenance and hope it lasts another year. So those were the high points of the visit. 

By the time we left David was starving so chicken nuggets and fries it was....(for him...not me....I got a salad!) As we were driving home I was thinking. I simply do not think about David's issues very often....even though they exist and to someone outside the family may even seem difficult to deal with. David is very independent even though he has muscle issues and David ALWAYS gets his point across to us....even though his speech is limited. But the stark reality is.....David is disabled and likely always will have some form of disability. However....I find myself feeling so blessed and so grateful after walking out of CP Clinic. Out of all of those kids that come to each visit with varying forms of CP....everything from a slight limp to extreme disability being wheelchair bound, feeding tubes, and in some cases oxygen and very severe mental delays.....David is lucky. For the most part....David's health is good (if there were no seizure issues it would be great). He feeds himself, undresses himself, gets himself around at home and is able to transition himself when not at home. He takes no meds other than seizure meds, his heart, lungs, kidneys and all other organs are fine and the best part is.....every day he progresses. Every day he learns something new; every day he tries to say more words; and every day he moves closer to one day being a fairly independent young man. David truly amazes me.

So yes....today although CP clinic left me feeling worn out (David dozed between visitors)....I am feeling very blessed. I am blessed that there are clinics like CP Clinic that are available to help kids like David. I am blessed that there are drs. and other professionals (like Dr. Shah and the OT's and PT's ) who are so willing to  give of their time so kids like David have the best possible chance at a great and productive life. Most of all though.....I am so blessed to have such a wonderful little guy like David in my life. So for now....blessed is the best word I can think of for my life with the Incredible Mr. David!