Urgent Prayers Needed Today

I've made a conscious effort to try to come up with a witty title for each of my blog posts, but today I just don't have the time or energy for it. I haven't posted in a couple of weeks - time is just flying by and I don't know where it's going.

First things first - Sarah Kate is still making progress. She is only using one of her duck canes now, and doesn't use them much at all around the house. She still has a little bit of the Frankenstein thing going on, but her "style" is definitely improving. She is now able to walk with her arms down, instead of out to the side like airplane wings, although she does have to be reminded to walk that way. She is extremely proud of herself and all that she is accomplishing.

Now for the downer - we need prayers. Desperately. Our insurance stopped paying for Sarah Kate's physical therapy sessions about three weeks ago, and we found out this afternoon that they have also denied our appeal. There are still avenues for us to pursue in terms of an appeal, but things are looking grim at this point. As far as assistance programs go, we are "in the gap" in that we are too wealthy to qualify for most programs and not wealthy enough to be able to pay for what we need. We knew going into the surgery that this possibility existed, but we put our faith in God that He would provide, because we knew that this surgery was her best hope for the future. We are estimating the costs to be in the range of a new Toyota Camry, so it's a sizable amount, but not an incomprehensible one. The easiest way to pay for it would be for me to get a job, but there's not much I qualify to do that wouldn't conflict with the daily therapy visits. Ironic. The good news is...it will be tax deductible :-)

The bottom line, though, is that we will find a way, and Sarah Kate has benefitted and will continue to benefit from the care she is receiving. Thanks be to God for the miracles he has worked in Sarah Kate's young life!

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. - Philippians 4:19-20

A Long Time Coming

It's been 17 days since my last blog, and I've probably lost a lot of folks along the way. It's been a rough 17 days, but I'm back. The last blog was on Saturday, February 18, and on Sunday, February 19, Sarah Kate took a tumble. She had walked all over the house the day before, and she was tired. She fell backwards and hit her head on our hardwood floor. Although she wasn't injured, the fall destroyed her confidence and we went backwards for a while. Each day that week, she was fearful and cried whenever she was encouraged to walk even short distances - much shorter than she had been able to do before. On Thursday, I began crying in the therapy office because she didn't want to take even a single step alone.

On Friday, we went to Park Place in Birmingham and Katie was able to get her take a few steps by fooling her into doing it without thinking about it, but neither of us felt good about what was going on. Sarah Kate and I decided to "surprise" Lisa at Children's South with a visit when we left Park Place. Lisa graciously cut her lunch short and worked with Sarah Kate for a few minutes. She had been walking without the top strap on her braces for several days. Lisa put the top strap back to give her a more secure feeling, and it worked. She began to be more comfortable and started to improve. Although it would be several days before she got back what was lost, she did get there, and we're very thankful.

Many of you have inquired about Sophie, the other little girl who had SDR surgery on January 4. We got to see Sophie and her mom the day we "surprised" Lisa. She is doing great! She was beaming that day - absolutely radiant! Many children who have SDR become more pleasant, happier children after the surgery - presumably because much of the frustration has been alleviated and because they are proud of the things they are accomplishing. She is walking with canes now, which is something she had never attempted prior to the surgery. She has not progressed as quickly as Sarah Kate, but she is also younger by five months and was not able to do as much prior to the surgery. Please continue to pray for her and her family.

I'm taking a small break this week. I'm heading to the beach for a few days and Sarah Kate will be staying with my dad and stepmom in Montevallo, south of Birmingham. They will be taking Sarah Kate to therapy on Friday (bless their hearts!) while I scrapbook, eat seafood, and (hopefully) walk on the beach. I hope to return refreshed and ready to go again! Sarah Kate and I are spending so much time together these days that it's a little bit difficult to remember that I have adult friends. Because of her therapy schedule, she isn't going to be able to go back to preschool this spring, so she isn't really around other children, either. Also, going to Birmingham twice a week and to therapy in the middle of the day the other three weekdays has made it very difficult for me to concentrate on getting things done - even "little" things like the housework. Sarah Kate is tired, and there's a fine line to walk to know when to keep pushing and when to take a break. Please continue to pray for us.

"...though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." - Psalm 37:24