WE'RE BACK FROM PENNSYLVANIA!

Last week, Chris, Stephanie, Micah and I (Grandma Teri) went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for one week. Chris and Stephanie attended seminars all week at the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential, learning about the brain and brain injury and what they can do to help to re-pattern Micah’s brain. Their days started at 9 a.m. and went until 7:45-8:00 p.m. each night. They were very long days filled with an unbelievable amount of information. They met so many other couples from all over the world that were there for the same purpose – to help their brain injured children. The majority of the other parents had children that were much older than Micah – many in the teens. They were all amazed that Chris and Stephanie were already attending the Institutes with a baby that is only 3 months old. Most of them had only recently even heard of the Institutes. Chris and Stephanie made some great acquaintances and exchanged email addresses with many of the other couples. They were very encouraged by what they learned and also were encouraged by the leaders and directors of the Institutes who were quite impressed by the fact that even though Chris and Stephanie are very young (by far, the youngest couple there), that they were proactively taking steps in helping Micah to become all that he can be.

I have just ordered all the materials needed for Chris and Stephanie to begin the therapies they learned at the Institutes. They should arrive within the week and shortly after that, Micah will begin his new activities every day! After 2 or 3 months of therapies everyday, throughout the day, Stephanie will send in her notes to the Institutes for their review. If, after they review her notes, they feel that she is committed to the therapies and Micah is doing well on them, they will allow Chris and Stephanie to bring Micah back out there to be personally assessed by their staff. At that time, they will review his home therapy plan and make changes and additions to it based on their assessment of Micah’s developmental profile.

We heard a story from the lady I rented the apartment in Philadelphia from. A man who had come 6 months ago and attended the Institutes program (the same one Chris & Stephanie just completed) had a child who was almost 2 years old. This child was also brain injured, blind and could not crawl or creep at all at the time (in their terminology, crawling is when a child just inches forward on their tummy – creeping is what we all consider crawling). So, after completing the week-long program and coming home to implement what he learned with his child, this 2 ½ year old is now crawling and creeping all over the house. Also, recently this same blind child looked up at his father when his father entered a doorway and then proceeded to creep to him! The child’s eyes are improving and he can partially see now!!! AND THIS IN JUST 6 MONTHS!!!! While we all realize that ultimately it is God’s decision how and when He will heal Micah, we just have to believe that the Lord gave us the knowledge of the Institutes when He did (Micah was only a few weeks old at the time) for a purpose. We also realize that every child and every brain-injury is very different from another. We truly do believe, though, that God plans to use this program as part of Micah’s healing journey.

I must add that while Chris and Stephanie were taking the courses, I had the absolute joy of taking care of our precious Micah. We snuggled and cuddled, and slept together everyday. I did the round-the-clock feedings since I wanted to make sure that Chris and Stephanie got as much rest as they could. Micah has to eat every 2 ½ hours so I set my trusty cell phone alarm for 2 hrs and 20 minutes…just enough time to heat his milk and be ready at the 2 ½ hour mark! And, needless to say that since it takes Micah about 30-40 minutes to drink just 2 ½ ounces of milk, I re-learned very quickly how to live off a few 30 minute to 1 hour cat naps a day. I have fallen deeply in love with my grandson. He is beautiful and precious and loves it when I sing to him and play with him. So many times it was as if a huge smile was just under the surface ready to burst forth. I could see it in his eyes, his breathing and his sweet little mouth. He has not fully smiled yet but I am determined to get one out of him soon!!!

Now the work will really begin. Stephanie will begin doing his therapies every day. Chris is working and plans on returning to school the beginning of the year so he can finish and get a job in his field. All this is very good. We pray that they both stay committed to their goals each day.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY:

PRAY THAT MICAH WILL GAIN WEIGHT UNTIL HE IS AT A HEALTHY WEIGHT.

PRAY THAT HIS ABILITY & DESIRE TO SUCK WILL INCREASE AND STRENGTHEN & THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE “FULL” FEEDINGS BY BOTTLE.

PRAY THAT CHRIS & STEPHANIE HEAR BACK FROM MEDI-CAL SOON & THAT THEY GET APPROVED SO THEY CAN UTILIZE CHOC & THEIR SPECIALISTS.

PRAY FOR PROTECTION OVER MICAH AGAINST ANY INFECTIONS OR ILLNESSES.

PRAY FOR STEPHANIE AS SHE BEGINS THE VERY TIME-CONSUMING TASK OF MICAH’S DAILY THERAPIES.

PRAY FOR CHRIS’ TEMPORARY JOB AND THAT HE FINISHES SCHOOL SOON.

PRAY FOR A COMPLETE HEALING OF MICAH’S BLINDNESS.

PRAY FOR HEALING OF MICAH’S BODY AND MUSCLES. PRAY THAT GOD WOULD TAKE AWAY ALL SPASTICITY IN HIS HANDS, ARMS, LEGS & FEET, AND THAT GOD WOULD GIVE MICAH FULL USE OF ALL OF HIS BODY PARTS.

PRAY FOR A COMPLETE HEALING & RESTORATION OF HIS BRAIN.

And, PRAY THAT WE GET A HUGE SMILE FROM MICAH SOON!!!

God bless you all. Thank you for your loving prayers and support. Thank you for your encouraging words and advice. You have become our family and we love you so much.

Have a blessed Christmas.

With much love and thankfulness for all Christ has done,

Grandpa Gary and Grandma Teri