We had another rough night; she moaned and cried a lot and needed pain meds twice during the night. Despite her rough night she woke up in good spirits and her pain was less. I was so tired this morning and just wanted to sleep, but we had a big day ahead of us. Amaya had her end of the year kindergarten celebration. She did her new hip stretches before we left for school. I was so excited to see her perform. Its funny to think back to the first day of kindergarten. She started with no fixator, no surgery, but ending the year with her fixator on. It was very emotional for me to sit and watch her up there with her peers. She's had so much to deal with this year, and missed forty days of school, yet she still managed to receive excellent marks on her report card. Each child had things they overcame this year, they all have a story, but I know Amaya's better than anyone. I know what she dealt with outside of school not to mention all the pain and discomfort at school. I'm thankful for her teacher, classmates and all the staff that looked out for her. They all helped make this year so much more bearable for her and us.
It was very neat to see Amaya up performing with her classmates. Her teacher wondered if maybe Amaya would be nervous or embarrassed by all the parents and siblings looking at her, but Amaya didn't mind at all. She did great. She was confident, and pushed herself on her wheelchair. I shed several tears during her show. Tears of joy, pride, and some sadness. I'm so happy to see her accomplishing so much, at such a young age. She is doing so well on all levels; emotionally, socially, academically, and psychologically. Her teacher commented to me just how well she thought Amaya handled her surgery and recovery. I was proud of her for working so hard, for never giving up, for going to school on days that she didn't want to, for not missing any homework assignments, for doing double homework (from therapy and school), and for exceeding expectations and goals. I was a bit sad to see the end of her first academic school year. I was also sad because my mama heart can't help but wish she didn't' have to deal with all that she has this school year (I don't think those feelings will ever go away). I was also sad by all that she missed; all the school days, the birthday parties, etc.. It's not major stuff and I'm not even sure if it bothers her at all, but my heart still longs to make life pain free for her.
Before we got to therapy I had a feeling she would hit ninety two today, but Amaya made ninety one her goal (one degree above yesterday). When we got there Melissa had Amaya do a couple of new things, she bounced on a trampoline and a ball. Then she did some lunges, bends, sitting with her knee bent, and then we started her bends and measurement. At the beginning measurement her knee was at fifty four, which is great. That's the highest its been since we stopped turns. Amaya said she would do small pulls again since that worked so well for her yesterday. By the twentieth pull she was already up to eighty degrees! On the seventieth pull she was at ninety, but kept going. By the eightieth pull she was getting tired. Melissa asked her how much farther she wanted to go and Amaya said, that was it. She stopped and was at ninety two! I was proud and happy! This was the easiest that she's been able to reach her goal (and now exceed it) since we stopped lengthening two weeks ago. Wow, two weeks later and she's passed ninety! Melissa said that all the work she does at home (its so much easier at home now too and doesn't take us very long) is helping her. Melissa thinks Amaya will be back in the 100's by next Friday. If anyone can do it, its Amaya.
Here's Amaya's kindergarten class performing some songs. They did great. They sang several songs, recited poems, and all took turns telling the audience what they want to be when they grow up. The kids were calm, confident and articulate, pretty amazing for a bunch of five and six year olds.
Here's a close up of Amaya. It was very sweet seeing her up there with her friends.
Here she is with her diploma, on the cover she wrote what she wants to be when she grows up. She's also holding her "first real award." It's for exceeding the reading goal not only for her grade but for first grade. She read a hundred and six words per minute (the goal is ninety by the end of first grade). She was so proud.
Here's a better look at her diploma. That's her in the picture with her doctor coat on and the stethoscope around her neck. She said she just gave her patient some medicine and was checking in on her. She's pretty consistent in her dream for the future. Its been a couple years now that she's declared "orthopedic surgeon" her dream. I know that Dr.Nelson plays a big role in that; he has taken such good care of her and improved her quality of life that she wants to do the same for other children. I'm not sure wether Amaya will be a surgeon or not, but I do know that she definitely can. She has the drive, determination, perseverance, kindness, and intelligence to do it.
Here she is with her teacher Mrs.Griessbach who was an amazing kindergarten teacher. She took such good care of Amaya throughout the school year.
Today at therapy Melissa had Amaya try something new, bouncing on the trampoline on her bottom. She said that its an exercise she usually does with older adults to help them stand up.
Next she tried it on the "peanut ball." Amaya liked this better than the trampoline, perhaps because it was higher up.
Then Amaya asked if she could kick the soccer ball. Melissa said yes but that she would have to work for it. She had to stand, lunge, bend and reach for the ball before she could kick it. She did it several times to try to knock over the bowling pins. I like how Melissa can incorporate what Amaya wants to do with what she needs to do. She is a wonderful therapist.
Here's Amaya kicking the soccer ball. She's looking forward to the day she can play soccer. Maybe next Spring? Or the following?
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