This is probably the most common thing you can hear me yell at Regan all day, every day. To some of you it may seem a little odd for me to be yelling "Use your feet!" to my 12 yr old (sorry Regan, almost 13 yr old), but it is one of the most frustrating parts of her cerebral palsy.
She walks quite well in her walker, and you can't tell in the top photo because she is standing tall and proud.....but look at this one.....
Do you see how she is hunched over and putting her weight on her arms? This is quickly becoming more of our reality, and it drives me crazy for two reasons.
1. It is completely fixable with a little hard work and dedication on Regan's part....but she hates hard work, and she will be the first to tell you that.
2. Doctor's have told us for years that she puts way to much weight on her arms, and because of this would have a hard time moving to crutches or walking on her own.
The second one really frustrates me, because there seems to be no "cure" for her. They do not make walkers that just support around the waist, or under her arms, that will still move in small spaces, or adhere to the laws of physics. So I have to threaten, cajole, bribe....Regan to work and try even though it is "hard work".
Regan's Physical Therapist informed me the other day if she gets much taller and heavier, she could conceivably topple forward, and she suggested we might start looking at a power chair for her. Regan thinks that sounds like fun.....and a lot less work. I think that is not what we have been fighting for, and to me a girl who can walk by herself in a swimming pool and is still young enough to be retrained with proper medical help, just needs to work harder....not take the easy route. So yell it with me everyone...."Regan, use your feet!"
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