I think you are remarkable. It is July 2014 and you just turned 5. Just days after your birthday, you had a fairly major surgery to reconstruct the muscles in your right foot.
I know we've told you and we'll tell you the story over and over but you were born with a club foot. You had your first cast at 7 days old and your first surgery around 5 weeks. You wore that cast for three more weeks.
After the cast, you wore these special little shoes that had a bar between them. You learned to crawl in them and they didn't slow you down. You totally destroyed your beautiful crib by slamming the bar into the slats over and over. That was your way of getting our attention.
Most people would never have known that you had a foot problem. Your dad and I can see that your right foot is smaller than your left and always will be. Your right calf will always be smaller than the left calf. Otherwise, you've been able to run and play like other kids. Your only setback is that you haven't been able to balance on your right foot or hop on that foot. Not really a huge deal in the grand scheme of things.
We knew there would be another surgery. Achilles repair is what they call it. Earlier this year, you began complaining that your foot hurt. We took you to your doc who said that we probably need to do the surgery sooner than later so that your recovery wouldn't be bad. In addition, we all noticed that your right foot was beginning to turn in slightly. Your anterior tibialis and your achilles were out of balance and the result was that your foot was turning in.
On July 10, you had an achilles repair and an anterior tibialis transfer. We left the hospital that day with you wearing a big red cast up to your thigh.
You have handled the situation amazingly well. Yes, you've had some meltdowns and we've had some stumbles but overall, you haven't complained. You went from an independent and active pre-schooler to being totally reliant on your father and I to do everything for you - including going to the bathroom. Instead of being sad, you've laughed. And, you've been very appreciative and loving.
Within two days, you wanted to play on the floor. Days later, you were hoisting yourself onto the sofa. Within days of that, you were scooting yourself up the stairs. Last week, you were "crab" walking around the house and up and down the stairs.
You've drawn pictures and played reading games. You've watched a lot of cartoons. You've gone miles and miles in the jog stroller (yes, we've been pushing you even though your weight plus the weight of the stroller is over 60 lbs!). We've had friends visit and all around made the best of the situation.
All of this to say that I admire you. You've laughed and cried and had good days and bad days but I am inspired by your ability to get up and keep moving. It isn't even a question for you. Each morning, almost immediately, you ask, "Can I get on the floor and play?"
When I watched you (crab) walk for the first time in the red cast, I could only think that you are definitely our kid. I feel proud that somewhere in all of this craziness, you have learned to keep trying and keep pushing and that you can do anything.
I love you. Your dad loves you. Karson loves you. We are all very, very proud of you. I am looking forward to seeing how you handle the orange cast (Go Vols!) and then watching you run again when this one comes off. You asked me yesterday if we can run together soon and yes, we can. I would be honored to go on a run with you. Any time. Any place.
Love you sweet boy. And yes, you'll always be my baby.
Mom
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