Take a stand

Abraham is growing and changing so much. He is definitely not the little 2 lb fragile baby we could barely touch during NICU life. He is talking, eating, and drinking more than ever. He also has been pulling himself to a standing position a lot. He even tries to climb into the bath tub without assistance. This boy wants to walk however in order to be able to walk he needs a gait trainer or a walker to help him. He gets frustrated in his stander because his feet are strapped down. The stander can move but my wheelchair wheels only. He is in an upright position like his peers. A few weeks a go at church some little girls were running around next to him. He did a push up and tried very hard to get up and quickly went back to the floor and verbalized "no walk". I broke down in tears because it broke my heart that he desperately wants to walk but can not due to the brain injury.  He has the determination he just needs to the practice and tools so he is successful. He is currently on a Bacloefen 10mg. I really did not want him on medication but his muscles are tight without it despite PT, pool therapy and stretching. He saw orthopedic surgery last week and his hip x-rays are abnormal but not so bad that he needs to be rushed into surgery. He will be fitted for new AFOs in a few weeks. MRI for VP shunt showed no concerns and neurosurgery does not need to see him again for one year. Abe was tested and diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. (ASD).  I always thought no that is one diagnosis he does not have but after talking to the doctor and seeing the characteristics it is disheartening. We had him tested because I get asked a lot in the community and by other parents with special needs kids if he has ASD. This qualifies him for 5 days a week of ABA therapy. We are hopeful that ABA therapy will assist with the head banging, spiting and throwing and obsessions with  objects. He gets obsessed with rocks, cars, paper towel rolls, balls and pencils. He tries to carry as many as he can in his hands. Abe had an Inspiration Through Art photo session with Julie Ross with Abundant Life Photography.  The pictures are amazing. I will post the link to share. http://abundantlife.zenfolio.com/abe. The password to look at the pictures is "hero"For now I need to finish my ballot since it is due tomorrow.