I'm baaaaaaack, with great news!

A little background on why I temporarily disappeared...

• My computer hard drive crashed.  When it crashed, I lost the work I was working on for Wacap... hours of work.  Oh joy.  I started over, and did finally finish, but it took me about 3 nights of staying up until about 12:30 am to get it done.  Of course, about half way through, David recovered the things off my hard drive (I love having a tech-savvy and totally sexy hubby!) but I had already re-done that part of the work anyway.  Oh well, such is life!  I am buying a used netbook to save money, but still have a computer to use.  Some people love netbooks, some hate them, but I think it will work just well for me.
• Our home computer got a virus and isn't working.  The only computer I had that did work was David's work computer, and I was super paranoid about getting a virus on that somehow, so I wouldn't check anything but facebook and my e-mail.  The computer still has a virus, but David is working on it.

A few days ago I checked craigslist for playgrounds, which I do every day or two.  On a whim, I searched for 'play set' instead of what I usually search, which is 'playground and play ground".  I came across a set that is made out of the nice Treks lumber, which is a lumber made out of recycled milk cartons and is very durable, can get wet, and stays cool to the touch.  I really wanted one of these sets, but a basic set with NO ramp was about $4,000, which was just too much to spend when it would still need to be modified and it was just very basic.  I went and looked at the set and the lay-out is perfect!!  It needs a new slide (the slide was cracked) and we will need to build a ramp, but the set was only $400 and in great condition!  WOW!  WE OFFICIALLY HAVE A PLAYGROUND!!  I've been singing from the roof tops.  It's been such a long time looking!  Before I show you pictures, here are things we need to do to it:

1. Buy and attach a new slide
2. Buy a new periscope and wheel, as those are too weathered to use
3. Buy another set of chains and a buoy ball/ trapeze bar combo set (Madi uses the trapeze bar in therapy) and move the other swings down so that we can fit 3 swings
4. Build and attach a ramp
5. Optional- I REALLY want to attach a little pull-down table for the play area underneath so the kids can have picnics and play down there, but Madi can be sitting down if she wants.
6. Optional- I'd love to build a little rock-climbing wall for Conner.  We have the rocks (they were donated and did not sell at the garage sale) so my dad would just need to help us build and attach it.
7. Get a new swing for Madi with a little support and one that she can't fall out of.
8. new update, forgot number 8~  It has all the attachments for a shade, so we just need to buy a new shade :)

But even with all of that, we will save a LOT of money!!  And for anyone looking to buy a semi-modified playground, cedarworks has the ability to customize a play set.  They are amazing to work with, and there is a lot of flexibility on ramps and stuff.  For example, you can have two separate deck heights and have slides on both deck, then ramps going to the decks.  The ramps are steeper ramps, but a child could probably crawl up them, especially to the lower level.  Ok, now for the pictures!

Watch for updated pictures of our project!  My dad is going out of town, then it's ramp building time!!

This playground will be the death of me!

My dad came over tonight to measure out where the playground would go.  The one I like best with the best ramps would take up most of our grass area.  Sigh.  We have other options for the play area, but this is the most accessible for Madi.  The other play sets will fit in our backyard better, which is great, but will also make it to where Madi can only access the smaller portion of the play set and not the bigger area with the big slide.  I know for a while I can carry her up to the big slide, but I was really wanting her to have her independence.  GAH!  This playground will be the death of me, I swear!

A Good Playground Lead

I *may* have found a great playground for us!  It would be coming from Cedarworks.  Though it is made of wood, they guarantee no rot or splinters for 10 years, and say the set should last at least 15 to 20, even in Phoenix, Arizona.  It would be made of Northern White Cedar, which they say is both long lasting and splinter-free without chemical treatments.  I am working with a guy there to see what they think would work best for Madi and our space, and so far, we are thinking something like this:

It's a bit more than I was invisioning, however, it would have ramps already and would not need a shade overhead, so it really wouldn't be more expensive than any other set we had to add a shade to or customize.  You can't see it on this photo, however, it would have a steering wheel and periscope on each level, as well as a little play telephone.  The tallest structure also has a rock climbing wall leading up to it.  I've forwarded the sketch to Madi's physical therapist and I'm anxious to see what she thinks.  I think it would work out really well!!

Enjoying our grass

We have really been enjoying our grass.  We had a slight mishap with over watering it, and therefore watering our dirt and street too, but short of that, we've been spending a lot of time runnning and playing in it.  Today we decided to have a picnic outside.  The weather is getting warm but it is still enjoyable.  We do not have a playset yet, but are working on that.  We are still waiting for the handicap accessible matting the grass grows through to be delivered as well.  All in due time :). 

In other news, I'm glad to say Madi's poo is back to normal.  When you have a kiddo with spina bifida, you worry a lot about poo and if they are getting constipated or not.  Lots of kiddos with spina bifida do not feel the pressure when they have to go.  Others feel the pressure but cannot push well enough to get cleared out on there own.  Lots of kiddos go on bowel management programs.  We do not do a bowel management program yet, so I have to watch her closely.  We were out of town for the weekend visiting family and ate more processed foods than normal.  Then Madi's papa fed her cheese noodles.  We all went gluten, dairy, wheat, and peanut free a while back, so Madi hasn't had food like that for a while.  It lead to lots of tummy aches and constipation, which is just no fun.  After lots of beans and a morning with little sleep and lots of nursing, I am happy to say all is flowing well again in the Veprek household.  Today Conner was dancing around showing Madi how to push by making silly faces, and Madi was laughing hysterically (which helps her push).  I was wondering to myself, "do other famillies do this too?"  Probably not, but that's ok. 

She's getting chatty!

I just had Madi evaluated for speech because she has a great vocabulary, but is really stuck in just a few word sentences and still uses single words a lot.  She is also harder for other people to understand.  Of course, right after I get her evaluated, she blooms!  Today she said "I drank the water", and it was very understandable (at least to me).  She talks all the time, but has really increased with her three-word sentences and is now jumping up to a few four-word sentences.  This is going to be one of those things where I push and push to get her talking, then will not ever be able to get her to stop and will wonder why I did that.  I talked a lot in school, so I know I am doomed ;).  Ok, ok, in reality, I will enjoy every word that comes out of her sweet little mouth, I swear.  In other news, I have some really awesome playground ideas that I am very excited about!  They are unconventional, but I think they will work!  More to come soon, I hope!  Here's a photo of what we did today.  I had to giggle because I see so many beautiful photos of kiddos playing in mounds of snow, yet this is the mound we played in today:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Every time I think I might have our playground situation figured out, I encounter more obstacles.  ALL I WANT TO DO IS BUILD SOMETHING MY LITTLE GIRL AND LITTLE BOY CAN PLAY ON TOGETHER AND NOT SPEND $40,000 TO DO IT.  I want to see them playing together, laughing together, enjoying being outdoors, and being able to do the same things.  I want Madi to have independence.  I want her to be able to get up high and experience something she normally cannot.  I want her to be able to explore and discover without being bound to the ground.  I want her to have a slide, and swings, and monkeybars she can reach, because she LOVES these things and I want her to have the things she loves.  I seriously never realized it would be this challenging.  I find it frustrating and sad that there are not more resources out there for families that have special kiddos in their lives.  I have called so many organizations and companies and have googled till my fingers ached.  I have talked to countless playground designers.  I have thought and thought and thought and thought, for months, and still have no good solutions.  I refuse to give up.  We WILL figure out something fun amazing, and affordable, even if it costs me my sanity. 


Ok, rant over.

Playground update!

We have a playground update... wooo hooo!  Yes, we are still wanting to build a playground for the kiddos.  If you have been following our journey, you know that something that seems as though it should be simple really is nothing close to it!  Handicap accessible playgrounds pre-built are super expensive, and many affordable playgrounds are just no where near accessible.  I think that Dana playground, a local company, is willing to work with us to do something custom and I am realllllly praying it will be affordable.  I should have a good answer in the next few days.  After many, many months of searching, phone calls, e-mails, and questions, it is so exciting to be getting so close!  I will keep everyone updated :).  In the meantime, here is a preliminary sketch, without the ramp shown (and some modifications do need to be made to it).  You also cannot see it, but the monkey bars are modified so that they can be wheeled through or used in HKFOs and there will be a modified swing.

Wooo Hooo for Madi's Amazon Associate's Account!

This month so far Madi's Amazon Associates account has earned over $90!! Our goal right now is to save up for a modified playground for Madi. The playground itself should not be too bad, as my dad can help us build it, but will still run probably around $1,000 or so. The rubber mat for underneath is also a HUGE expense. Originally we were planning on doing pour-in flooring, however, after we priced it we discovered we would need about $20,000 for it! YIKES! We are looking at rubber tiles now, which will cost much, much less (I think it came to just under $4,000, but need to re-price it). We have some much-loved family that has offered to help us out with the playground project (I'm not sure if they want to be named or not, but they know who they are!!) and that should cover the rubber tile flooring, as well as the concrete foundation we need, which is so very amazing. Now we're just working on the money for the actual play set. We are waiting on a few refunds to come through (everyone is so happy to take your money, but no one likes to give it back) for some medical expenses we paid. Basically, we paid a bunch of bills and then Madi got on Long-Term care, so some of those expenses should be refunded. The problem, though, is that they sent some back saying they needed more information (the most expensive ones, of course), and I sent the information back, but have heard nothing. I've called and left 3 messages, then finally opened a claim. I should be hearing back about whether or not they got the information I returned any day now. Once we get those refunds, we can begin our project. First will be a small retaining wall, then a concrete foundation for the play area. Next will be the actual structure, followed by the rubberized flooring. Finally, we will add grass in the area to the East of the play structure. Nothing fancy, but it will be super fun! I don't think people understand what this will mean for Madi, and honestly, I cannot really say I do either, but for someone so limited to the ground in what they do, being able to climb and have freedom will be amazing for her!

So back to what I was starting to say.... we are saving Madi's Amazon Associate's money to help with the playground construction if what we have coming is not enough. I know it seems like no big deal to use her link, but it is HUGE to us!!! A big huge "thank you" to everyone that orders through it!!




http://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=missmadi-20

Making ocean cups on blue day... don't worry, I stayed glued to them, so they were safe even though they were up high!

Looking for ideas (again :))

I would really, really love to buy or build a handicap accessible playground for Madi in our backyard. She will be getting her wheelchair soon, and I would love to get a structure she and Conner can play on together, as well as the kids we have over for playdates and such. I think it will be amazing for her social and emotional development, and just help her feel that she can participate and be part of the "crowd". Plus, since we are going to homeschool the kiddos, it will really be her only access to something, unless we drive to a public park, which is doable sometimes, but not on a daily basis. Sounds like a great plan, right? Well, it would be, if we had about $25,000 (and many are more money!!) to purchase one, and get the soft matting she needs for under the playground so that she can wheel or walk on it. I've been looking and looking for grants, but because it is not a community project, meaning the whole community won't use it, I am coming up short. My dad is a general contractor and can build one, but I haven't been successful in finding plans either. So... I am looking for ideas. Do you know of a grant we can apply for? Do you have an idea for fundraising? Do you know how to find plans for one? Do you have  the name of someone who can build it for less?  If you have any information at all that we can use, PLEASE let us know! Thank you!