As we waited in the lobby for Jay to come out we saw our friend Penelope walk in with her family. We first met Penelope the week after she had her fixator put on. It was so nice to see her now a few months later. She was smiling, and walking. She looked great!
Later in the children's gym there was a moment where there were three girls; Amaya, Penelope and Janice working in the kids gym. All three girls have a fixator. All the girls are patients of Dr. Nelson (it's amazing how many lives he's affecting in our area). They all wear a different type of fixator for a different reason. It was neat to see them all working hard, smiling, looking at the each other, and being kids. There was something about having them all in the same place, at the same time that was almost magical. It's hard to explain, but knowing how hard life with a fixator can be and how much Amaya overcomes on a daily basis, it was neat to be in a room with three girls (Amaya is the oldest of the three) who all are dealing with challenges, and are working hard day in and day out to overcome them. They were inspiring, amazing and neat to around.
Amaya had a full hour of therapy with Jay today. She worked hard, and did a lot. She made baskets, rode the bike, did squats, puled herself on the stool, climbed on the ladder, did her bends and then bowled. It took her a bit longer to do her bends today, almost five minutes. I tried to stay quiet (she always asks that I not say anything while her and Melissa do the bends), but finally gave her the reminders and pointers that Melissa usually does. She got frustrated with me, but then directed that toward getting her bends over with. Her top pins started hurting her as she was bending and I reminded her to just get it over with. The other girls looked on with sympathy. As far as I know they don't have to worry about knee bends as much as Amaya does (because of her femoral lengthening its important to maintain her range of motion in the knee). They have different therapies for their different needs but they can empathize with the hard work, and pain that goes along with therapy. Amaya worked hard to get to ninety-two degrees today.
Later we saw her P.E teacher (we went back to school for a PTA meeting). He asked how therapy was, and she told him that it was okay. I tried to explain to him what Amaya does, that its hard work, but the only really painful part is the two minutes of knee bends. I explained how she works to get her body to gain forty degrees in a few minutes. It's pretty amazing. I shared with him that no matter how tough it is, she says she'll do it and then does. She's done it for over six months now! We also told him that she'll be walking in her first 5K in a couple of weeks (Amaya has raised $78 so far!). He said he'll be thinking of her that day. Amaya still has $122 to raise to reach her goal of $200. If you'd like to donate you can do so online or directly to Josh or myself. Online its at www.chocwalk.net Look up "sponsor walker" then look up under her name "Amaya Jimenez-Potter."
Today I got to thank a teacher at Amaya's school who donated on her behalf. She was so sweet and kind with her words. She said she wanted to support Amaya because of how inspiring Amaya is to her. She said when she's having a tough day she looks at Amaya and gets inspiration. Her words, and her sincerity touched my heart. Its moving to have another person see what you see in your child. I love Amaya and I know how amazing she is, and when the world sees it and benefits from it, well that's just pure joy. Thank you all for seeing in Amaya what I see; her love, strength, joy, kindness, motivation, positive attitude, courage and resilience.
Amaya shooting baskets with the bean bag animals as she stretched, lunged and bent her knee.
After pulling herself on the scooter Amaya sat as Jay bent and straightened her knee.
After bends Amaya still had a few minutes so Jay had her bowl in the hall with Lidie.
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