Personal Support Call ( Michael's Surgery)

Hello and thank you for visiting today!

If you have been following my blog you would have come to know a little about my amazing son Michael. 

This post is to request help from all card makers even if you are here for the first time.

Michael is an amazing strong boy who deals with life by the moment and he touches each and every soul he encounters with his bright smile, his inquisitive nature and the love he shares so freely. Michael sees our world differently than we do as he was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three. I am preparing Michael for the upcoming experience the best I know how.

Michael is due to have surgery on both feet this fall. He's had problems with his hips and feet since birth as we were told he would never walk. It was difficult to put a diaper on Michael when he was an infant because his hips wouldn't spread wide enough.

 When Michael was about 6 months I pushed his hips apart a little too much which made Michael laugh! I did this everytime I changed him not knowing how much it would help him. The next visit  with his Doctor was very emotional as I left with a small pinch of pride and high hopes that Michael will walk!!!! I continued the new ritual of course but we still had his feet to deal with.
I worked on Michael's feet everyday for a year,  they were both turned 90 degrees to the right, this was quite a challenge but they did straighten... not all the way but Michael did learn to walk!!!!

Children with autism often walk on their tip-toes, walking on toes reduces overstimulation in the feet that can occur as a result of walking on the entire foot.
It  may also be a learned habit  or may relate to motor coordination challenges, a tight Achilles tendon, or a sensory processing difference, all these reasons fit Michael.

The surgery will consist of extending both of his Achilles tendons in both feet, he will be hospitalized for approx. 3 days off Island and will have walking casts on both feet.

Michael as other children with autism establish a routine daily so this in it's self will be a big change and challenge for Michael as he will be laid up a month trying to understand why his little feet are so heavy and why he can't do the things he wants without mommy's help.

So I am asking all of my friends and whoever would like to commit to sending Michael a card to make one small part of his day a routine and to show him how much people are wishing him well. Michael loves the cards I make and he takes in every detail so I know this will really brighten his day.

I don't have the surgery date yet as we are going for a consultation on Oct. 24th, I am guessing it is in Novemeber where they gave it a 4 month margin. I will keep you up on the details...all I need right now is your committment.

Who would like to help brighten Michael's day and mine as we take on this experience that life has given us??!!!

I am truly counting on you.