Limb Differences Inspire

02/09/2018

Friends.....I have a request from all of you that read this today.

There is a sweet boy that is going through leg lengthening in Detroit. He will likely be discharged today and head home to begin the next phase of the process.

If you can take a few moments and send Hamoudy a card, it would absolutely brighten his day! Let’s flood their mailbox and hearts with love and support!

Thanks in advance for your act of pure Kindness!

Attn: Hamoudy
C/O Julie Haskins
6356 Grandmont Ave
Detroit, MI. 48228

06/23/2017

I'm out running last minute errands before our family vacation week begins and Aidan is at therapy. He sent me a text with two numbers.....90. I bursted into tears at Target. It's been a rough couple of weeks for him, but today he hit 90 degrees! 🙏🏻

06/08/2017

Aidan received X-Rays using a similar machine at Gillette's Children's Hospital last August. I understand it has 90% less radiation than a normal machine. I haven't seen X-Rays like this out of Minnesota....must be pretty new.

Aidan's on his second appointment on another floor getting additional X-Rays. We should see the doctor next.

06/07/2017

We're heading to Minnesota in the morning for an appointment with Dr. Dahl. Aidan's sisters are coming along for the ride, and both are excited to see Mall of America for the first time 😉.

The last time we visited Dr. Dahl was August of 2016. Aidan could barely walk across the exam room. There has definitely been progress over the past 10 months.

The progress in his ROM has slowed down. He's currently actively at 76 degrees and passively at 88 degrees. He really needs more range of motion to do daily tasks, like walking stairs or riding a bike. We hope to get some insight on his ROM this week. 🙏🏻

05/04/2017

I usually sit with Aidan during his therapy time, but am getting over a terribly stiff neck. Today I waited in the car for him, so I didn't have to move around too much. I got a text from the therapist mid-session that I was missing all the action and that Aidan hit 87 degrees today!!! Yes!!! What a pleasant surprise!

Aidan puts in so much time in trying to get his range of motion back. Besides therapy 3X a week, he still uses a device twice a day that is also helping him improve his ROM. On top of all that, he does exercises on his days off therapy. We've built a new workout room in our basement that has the equipment he needs, so this has been extremely helpful as well. All of the work can be a little discouraging at times, as the progress is slow. I keep reminding him that he can't give up hope and that even if it's just a degree a month, he's still making progress.

Another milestone for Aidan is that he has been able to ride his bike again. His foot is still having to come off the pedal each rotation, but it's been good for him just to get out with his friends.

So today we celebrate 87 degrees....3 degrees short of his next short term goal of the magic 90.

04/19/2017

Now isn't this a wonderful sight!?

04/15/2017

It's always good to see the exercises getting more challenging for Aidan. Here's some video of Aidan trying a new balancing exercise with Caitlin (a visiting student that is going to make an exceptional therapist!)

04/13/2017

Some late news to report....Aidan hit 85 degrees passive motion on Tuesday!

03/15/2017

Yesterday, Aidan hit 80 degrees of range of motion in his knee! He jumped five degrees over the weekend!

03/09/2017

I love their motto! ❤

The NubAbility® Athletics Foundation exists to encourage, inspire and instruct limb different youth.

03/04/2017

Aidan is celebrating his little sister's birthday this weekend. He won the first bowling game and I wanted to share his reaction. He's making his come back!

02/10/2017

It was one year ago today, that Aidan had one of the worst days of his life. He was hoping to finally recover from an 8-month long leg lengthening procedure. Instead, he was recovering in the hospital with another device freshly implanted, that would stabilize a badly broken femur and hopefully correct a knee subluxation. I can't imagine how hard it had to be for him during that time, as the mental stress had to be just as trying as the physical pain. This anniversary has hit me pretty hard today. It was just one of those days that you take a step back and ask, "What the hell happened?"

As Aidan was going through therapy this afternoon, I was reliving some of the moments of the past year and a half. I simply miss my sweaty head kid that would race out of the house to play street hockey. He has changed so much, and the reality of what he has been through is all so surreal at times. It's still hard to accept.

God must have been listening to all my pity talk, as he gave us a subtle sign to keep the faith. Aidan jumped to 74 degrees of passive motion today (up from 72). He's been sick the last couple of days, so this was quite the surprise. His first doctor had told us that he would struggle to make it past 60 degree of motion, so it was a good reminder that we cannot put limitations on his recovery.

So, I'm giving myself this anniversary day to feel sorry for his situation. I'm letting it all out....the pain, the anger, the tears, the pity, the sadness, the uncertainty, the stress...it's all coming out today. Tomorrow will be a new day.....a good day filled with much hope and faith.

Here is a video of Aidan playing some soccer in therapy. He is getting stronger.....daily.