Post by sandy on Aug 26, 2006 13:07:16 GMT -5
Such a little man to bear such a burden. He has had to work hard at everything we take for granted. His efforts have been an inspiration for many, both young and old. His smiles and humor have brought sunshine to many. He has been held up as an example of the power of prayer, as a hero, and a role model.
Big achievements for any person.We should all be so privileged to have influenced so many in our lives. Who is this little man?
Would it surprise you if I told you he was not yet 5 years old? On August 30th Kaden will be 5. He has faced so many battles in his short time here it boggles the mind.
Kaden's fight started before he was born. Mom had already had several perfect sonograms but still for some reason was uneasy that something was not quite correct. Kaden was scheduled to be born in September by cesarean section but in August Mom started holding fluid and her blood pressure spiked. A dangerous situation for Mom and baby. Mom was admitted to the hospital and given meds to help. Before they released her they did another sonogram and all was not well. Kaden had spina bifida. Kaden's spinal chord was not covered like it should be. Eight centimeters of his spinal chord was exposed. Mom was sent home in shock and disbelief. Then sent to another hospital for a better sonogram. It didn't look good either. So she went to Pittsburgh where they had facilities to handle such problems.
Kaden could be confined to a wheelchair for life, have cerebral palsy, mental retardation, hydro encephalitis, mental retardation, breathing problems,be blind. The list was long.
On August 30th,Kaden was born. He was wrapped in plastic to prevent infection, Kissed good bye by Mom and was whisked into an ambulance and to another hospital. Within hours he was in the operating room and the spinal chord was placed where it should be and covered. Now only time would tell us the amount of damage.
While all this was happening, people all over the United States were praying for Kaden and his family. People who had no idea who or where this child was, were praying. People who who knew the family were praying. Churches, people working, people alone, people in groups. All were praying for a seven pound stranger.
Kaden could move his legs! Would he walk? Only God and time could answer that question.
Five days after the first surgery Kaden had another surgery to place a shunt in his head to drain any excess fluid that may accumulate in his brain. This valve was placed on his head and a tube runs down his neck and chest into his stomach cavity to disperse any fluids.
Finally after 10 days this little chip of a man was able to go home. Home where a family was waiting to take him into their lives and hearts. And into their hearts he went. A little package of sunshine, courage, and determination. He had many obstacles to overcome. He has had several surgeries since. He has had to learn to eat. He has had physical therapy since the age of 6 weeks. Physical therapy that may be a lifetime thing. But instead of needing it every week for years yet. He needs it once a month.
Today he walks. He has braces that cover the bottom of his feet and extend up the backs of his calves. He used to use a walker. BUT, he was caught riding it down a ramp so he was given crutches. He didn't like them. He was told he had to give up the walker and use them. His answer "Then I won't use anything" Within a few days he was walking with no aids at all.
His walking is all controlled by his thigh muscles. He has no feeling from his knees down..Every step he takes is a miracle. His feet turn out to the side. There is a very painful surgery that would correct this but he would be in casts for months and would have to learn walking all over. Also the surgery can cause more harm than good.
Things that we take for granted are hard for him. For instance pedaling a trike. He couldn't keep his feet on the pedals and push down to make it go. We discussed the problem one day. I said, "Kaden, you are going to have to figure this out. There has to be a way for you to do this. Let's think about it" Several days later,He took me out to the porch and said
"Watch this." He pedaled his trike like a pro.
Several days ago he wanted to walk up a sliding board, not the ladder,he had already learned that, the sliding board itself. Mom noticed him sitting on the board rubbing his chin deep in thought. "Be right back,Mom" Kaden hurried into the house and came back out laughing. He was carrying 2 plungers.
Kaden is a ray of sunshine to all that know him and also strangers. An inspiration, a role model and one of God's special chosen children. All of that and only 5 years old. Amazing!
Big achievements for any person.We should all be so privileged to have influenced so many in our lives. Who is this little man?
Would it surprise you if I told you he was not yet 5 years old? On August 30th Kaden will be 5. He has faced so many battles in his short time here it boggles the mind.
Kaden's fight started before he was born. Mom had already had several perfect sonograms but still for some reason was uneasy that something was not quite correct. Kaden was scheduled to be born in September by cesarean section but in August Mom started holding fluid and her blood pressure spiked. A dangerous situation for Mom and baby. Mom was admitted to the hospital and given meds to help. Before they released her they did another sonogram and all was not well. Kaden had spina bifida. Kaden's spinal chord was not covered like it should be. Eight centimeters of his spinal chord was exposed. Mom was sent home in shock and disbelief. Then sent to another hospital for a better sonogram. It didn't look good either. So she went to Pittsburgh where they had facilities to handle such problems.
Kaden could be confined to a wheelchair for life, have cerebral palsy, mental retardation, hydro encephalitis, mental retardation, breathing problems,be blind. The list was long.
On August 30th,Kaden was born. He was wrapped in plastic to prevent infection, Kissed good bye by Mom and was whisked into an ambulance and to another hospital. Within hours he was in the operating room and the spinal chord was placed where it should be and covered. Now only time would tell us the amount of damage.
While all this was happening, people all over the United States were praying for Kaden and his family. People who had no idea who or where this child was, were praying. People who who knew the family were praying. Churches, people working, people alone, people in groups. All were praying for a seven pound stranger.
Kaden could move his legs! Would he walk? Only God and time could answer that question.
Five days after the first surgery Kaden had another surgery to place a shunt in his head to drain any excess fluid that may accumulate in his brain. This valve was placed on his head and a tube runs down his neck and chest into his stomach cavity to disperse any fluids.
Finally after 10 days this little chip of a man was able to go home. Home where a family was waiting to take him into their lives and hearts. And into their hearts he went. A little package of sunshine, courage, and determination. He had many obstacles to overcome. He has had several surgeries since. He has had to learn to eat. He has had physical therapy since the age of 6 weeks. Physical therapy that may be a lifetime thing. But instead of needing it every week for years yet. He needs it once a month.
Today he walks. He has braces that cover the bottom of his feet and extend up the backs of his calves. He used to use a walker. BUT, he was caught riding it down a ramp so he was given crutches. He didn't like them. He was told he had to give up the walker and use them. His answer "Then I won't use anything" Within a few days he was walking with no aids at all.
His walking is all controlled by his thigh muscles. He has no feeling from his knees down..Every step he takes is a miracle. His feet turn out to the side. There is a very painful surgery that would correct this but he would be in casts for months and would have to learn walking all over. Also the surgery can cause more harm than good.
Things that we take for granted are hard for him. For instance pedaling a trike. He couldn't keep his feet on the pedals and push down to make it go. We discussed the problem one day. I said, "Kaden, you are going to have to figure this out. There has to be a way for you to do this. Let's think about it" Several days later,He took me out to the porch and said
"Watch this." He pedaled his trike like a pro.
Several days ago he wanted to walk up a sliding board, not the ladder,he had already learned that, the sliding board itself. Mom noticed him sitting on the board rubbing his chin deep in thought. "Be right back,Mom" Kaden hurried into the house and came back out laughing. He was carrying 2 plungers.
Kaden is a ray of sunshine to all that know him and also strangers. An inspiration, a role model and one of God's special chosen children. All of that and only 5 years old. Amazing!