Today was an appointment I am VERY excited about! Madi wants to be standing and upright so badly, but she just cannot make her little body do it. Because she does not have any movement below the hips, she is unable to support herself. Today we went in to get fitted for a parapodium, which is a device that will help her hold her body upright so that she can stand. She will also be able to move around with it. She won't be given a walker yet, since that would limit her ability to twist her body from side to side, but will be given a walking-stick type of device instead. Tami, her physical therapist, will work with me and teach me how to help her get around in it. Ron, from Hanger, is hand-making her parapodium for her. Don't ask me what it's going to cost because I don't even want to know ;). Tami and Ron talked so that he would know just how to design it. Unfortunately, it is not something Hanger normally makes, so he will have to order some supplies and we will not have the stander until right around Christmas time. I am so excited for her to finally get to be at her peer's level, though, and it is well worth the wait!!!. Watch out world, here comes Madi!!!
P.S. In case you are wondering about the photos... the first one is the mold they made of Madi's torso. I couldn't take a picture while they made it because I was helping to hold her and keep her happy. The second photo is of her getting measurements done.
