Little daredevil!

It sounds unsafe...and it is...BUT parents of stroke survivors (and some others of you) know how BIG this is.

Kath can walk up the slide, using the elephant walk; she walks and pulls herself all the way to the top of our rather steep slide incline.

WOW! I love the summer growth spurts! The strength that shows in her arms and legs and the balance is pretty big!

All this is even more exciting because Kath is overcoming weakness and paralysis on her right side as well as balance and vision issues all related to the stroke she survived in utero.

~ Katharina's Mom

Made the cut!

Danny had played on a competitive football team for four years, but the time came for school ball. The program in his school is fierce, large, strong and competetive.

About 60 boys tried out for 35 spots. We cheered him on, but told him there is no shame in being cut... if that happens.

Team selection day came and Danny made it!! He proudly wears #42 (see him in the photo?) and works hard in practice. He has had to overcome sore feet and blisters becuase of his AFO.

For parents wondering aobut sports for their kids, we suggest to let them do whatever they want. Anything is possible. Many people question our decision to let Danny play tackle football. I question it too sometimes, but I cannot bring myself to tell him no. And the smile on his face when he is on the field lights up the world.

~Proud mom to #42 on the 7th grade team!

Proud Big Sister!

Megan, 9, suffered a stroke in utero and underwent a partial left hemispherectomy at the age of 15 months. She has also had tendon transfers on her right arm and leg, eye surgery and she wears a brace on her right leg and hand.

Megan doesn't know the word "can't" and we let her try anything she wants to try within limits!

Megan latest role is that of proud big sister! Baby sister Ashlynn was born in September of 2009 and as you can see from the photo, Megan loves her role as big sister!

~proud mom Shelly

Loo Loo, Skip to my Loo!

Maya is a six year old who will be three years post
stroke in June of 2010.

Today she brought a note home from her PT at school. It said they had been working on skipping, just a few short weeks ago, she couldn't even hop on her left leg and now she is skipping!!

Her PT said she was so proud of her and continues to be amazed by Maya's progress.

Our little miracle continues to amaze us every day!

~ Maya's Mom

Speed Racer!

Ryan loves racing in his kart and it is something that has helped him use his feet and his hands with coordination. His racing has given him great confidence and only his very close friends even know that he has a disability.

He is going to compete in some regional races and maybe a national race this year. Ryan is going to put a CHASA logo on his kart to raise some awareness! (we'll try to post photos of his kart with the logo later...)

~ Proud Dad Jeff.

Shredding the snow...

Patrick, 10 years old, had a stroke at birth due to trauma. Doctors anticipated that Patrick would never run, never play sports and would need to go to a special education school.

After years of OT, PT and speech five days a week, Patrick is now attending "regular" school in the 4th grade and on the honor roll!

Not only is he excelling in school, he also plays basketball three days a week and has learned to ski without any adaptation. He is now mastering snowboarding with the help of assistive tethers.

As you can see in the picture to the right, he is the proud owner of a new snowboard! His dedication and spirit inspires me every day!

~Patrick's Mom

Reaching New Heights!

A few nights ago I was taking a shower and Joe (age 5) was watching TV in my room. After my shower I saw that he was up on the bed...no big deal...until I noticed that the step stool wasn't up to the bed.

I asked him how he got on the bed and he giggled and said "I climbed." Our bed is just a regular bed, not higher than the standard, but Joe has never been able to get on it...I have either had to pick him up or he has had to use a step stool.

Each night since then he has climbed up on the bed and then has said to me "Ask me how I got on the bed." It's amazing how these "little" things can be so BIG.

~ Cary, Mom to Joe, 5, CP, RH