Austin had his first evening of equine therapy yesterday. We all weren't sure what to expect from therapy or what to expect from Austin and what he may think. Well, you just never know...Austin loved it. I thought he would hate the riding helmet he has to wear, but he made no fuss over it. We thought maybe he would cry because it may be scary to him, but not at all he smiled and rode tall the whole time. Even the owner was quite surprised and happy with Austin's response. What we learned is that physical, emotional and mental awards are achieved working around and riding horses. This therapy is helpful in developing balance, coordination and strength in riders with disabilities. It also promotes independence and self-confidence as riders learn to ride and care for these horses in a friendly and supportive environment. Finally this equine therapy provides recreational opportunities to many individuals for whom such opportunities are severely limited. Are hopes for Austin are that he enjoys it and maybe it will open up more doors for his brain.

A free photo slideshow by Smilebox

Austin is a WALKING MACHINE! We are so happy (and drained) that Austin is mobile. The best part of it all....he does it on his own. He is so proud of himself as are we. We enjoy watching Austin discover his new found freedom. Austin continues to do well in school. We hope to be starting hippotherapy (horse therapy) within the next few weeks. After talking with the trainer, we think this will be another great compliment to all the other therapies that Austin is doing. Stay tuned for more.

Another slideshow design by Smilebox

It was a rough start after we returned home for Montreal. It all started with a 24 hour hospital stay for Austin for non stop crying and not being able to console him as he screamed in pain and hit his head with his hands. After 5 weeks of the same stuff he finally got diagnosed with migrains. After several doctor visits and no answers his wonderful neurologist Dr. N, came up with diagnosis and prescribed him some medicine and now we have our happy Austin back. Needless to say that was a very rough time for all four of us.

Now here we are three weeks into school and Austin is doing wonderful. He has a very long day. He gets picked up at 0815 and doesn't get home till 4:40. We were quite worried it would be too long for him and that he would hate to sit in his wheelchair for so long, but we were wrong, he is doing great. It's mom that is having the hard time. I took Austin to school the first day and as I'm driving through the school parking lot to find a spot, and being unsuccessful the first time around I thought, "It's a sign, Austin is supposed to come back home with me", tears started rolling down my face. I said to myself "I will try one more time to find a spot" and low and behold there it was, a spot right in front of the school office.
As I got Austin out of the car and finally found his teacher, I realized that this was a good place for Austin to be. There were lots of kids lined up on the sidewalk in their wheelchairs, just like Austin. Finally a place that had children similar to Austin. He was in good company. The staff was very welcoming and embraced Austin like they have known him forever. I left with tears, and had the longest day of my life in a long time. Anticipated everytime the phone rang that it was the school calling to tell me that Austin was crying and miserable and I should come pick him up. The phone never rang and Austin finally came home at the end of the day on the bus, with the same stoic look I left him at school with. The teacher gives a great, detailed log everyday of how Austin's day went. After three weeks of school, I am learning how to utilize my time better everyday, and worry a little less each day. I now know Austin has good care and is surrounded by children similar to him in all ways. It is going to be a good experience for us all. Although Austin's day is long, he never ceases to amaze us with his energy level and how active he remains when he comes home. Austin's teacher says that he is the only walking one in the class and the only one that can eat by mouth, so he keeps himself and everyone really busy. They have learned quickly that nothing is safe when within Austin's reach. Austin is walking independently at school and with help. Has learned to climb up on the changing table. They say they are working with him to get up and stand up on a step stool to wash his hands (which shouldn't be too hard, since Austin is a magnet to water). He is learning to ride a tricycle. Everyone is working on communication with Austin through picture cards. We hope to get some type of Aucom device for Austin so he can press buttons that say words for him so he can communicate in that way. One of Austin's therapists feel that after working with him that he may suffer from Apraxia. It is just her hunch and not an official diagnosis.

Austin shows us everyday of the endless possibilites that he has. We are so excited and we enjoy that everyone can share his journey with us through his blog. Hope you enjoy the pictures and Austin walking alone on the slippery tile.

Picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Days 9 & 10
Well we can't believe our trip is over. It has been a wonderful two weeks of therapy for Austin and what an amazing place to say we visited. Yesterday was St. Jean Baptist Day. The entire providence of Quebec drops whatever they are doing to participate in the festivities. The holiday is the most important one of the summer. It is also known as being an extremely poplular drinking day. Similar to New Years Eve. We got to enjoy the evening in the Old Port of Montreal. It had a very European feel and was so neat to see. Austin was a little emotional at therapy today, and after Ramon feeling bad and thinking it was something he was doing, Bill told him "it wasn't him, Austin was just sad that today was his last day with him for awhile." Ramon got a good chuckle, and business went on as usual. This afternoon Zach got emotional because Austin was crying and he said "he didn't like to see his brother upset and crying." What a great big brother. After some explanation Zach understood and wanted Austin to be able to do the things we take for granted on a daily basis. Bill and I noticed that while out here, Austin seems to be more alert, more in tune to his surroundings. He was very curious and made great eye contact for communication. Just another great thing about the CME therapy. It really gets Austin's brain working and communicating. We are so grateful that Austin had this opportunity to come to Montreal to see Ramon. We have made our reservations with Ramon to go see him in Santiago from March 14-25 2011. In the mean time Bill has been given great instructions to follow to keep up this wonderful therapy at home. We will be departing tomorrow to go back home to Phoenix.

Make a digital slideshow

Day 8: Well today we felt the 5.5 magnitude earthquake that happened on the Ontario/Quebec border. One of us thought Austin was kicking the couch and the other thought Zach was running back and forth playing, then we looked outside and saw everyone leaving their houses and the buildings. It happened so fast. Another great day of therapy. Austin and his brain are receiving so much information ever day, and every day they work harder and harder. We are so proud. We are also proud of Zach who is very homesick and would like to go back to Phoenix "where they speak English".

Another free slideshow design by Smilebox

Montreal Day 7: Austin woke up around 3 am with a cold....yuck!!! The champ didn't let it stop him from a great day of therapy. Although really mellow in the morning he still worked hard and got the job done. I didn't post as many videos today as usual because this afternoon Bill and I got to participate with therapy to prepare us for at home. It was alot of work, but it makes it much easier to actually participate with the exercises than just watch. Hope you enjoy the videos. For some reason the pictures got all turned around, but you get the idea of Austin's day.

This free photo slideshow created with Smilebox

Day #6. We had a nice relaxing weekend at the 2 different zoos. We let Zach plan our weekend, since Montreal "isn't much fun, like Phoenix". We started the week off right with therapy. We hope you enjoy our video.

Personalize a free picture slideshow

Day 5: It was a rough morning for therapy as you will see in the videos, but good ole Austin and his brain still made it very productive. It was another good day of therapy. Ramon' stated that Austin is different this time around. Different being that he is picking things up much better and his brain seems to be more accepting of things. Yeah Austin. Big brother Zach is glad to have two days without therapy and I'm sure if Austin could talk he would say the same. It has been a fantastic week, and has gone by super fast. We are so greatful that we decided to come out here and work with Ramon'. We are looking forward to a nice family weekend and another successful week of therapy next week.

This free digital slideshow created with Smilebox

Day 4: Another great day of therapy. This is what makes traveling around the world to help Austin so worth it. The video says it all.

Slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Day 3: What a great day for Austin and therapy. Austin had a great afternoon and I posted videos today so you can see him show off his stuff. "Amazing" and "Excellente'" where the words of the day. Ramon made a comment this afternoon on one of the exercises that he did with Austin stating that "the white matter of his brain is working well (corpus collusum), because if it wasn't many of these exercises would not be possible." It's always good to hear that things are working right with Austin since he still remains our little mystery. We like to think that it is all coming together!

Picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

Day 2: Although the morning session of therapy wasn't all that much fun for Austin and his mood, the afternoon went incredibly well. Ramon thought Austin did "extraordinary". The good news, Ramon said that he can continue to work with Austin even though he has grown so much because Austin is doing so much more and his "brain" is following the blue print so much better. Ramon said that it makes it much easier and Austin's size, weight and age doesn't matter then as long as there is progress and the brain is accepting. He is so amazed with Austin and his progress and credits not only Austin and his hard work, but Bill to doing such a great job at home with the "home program". Team Austin is just amazing. Our dreams for Austin get closer with each passing day. We look forward to the progress we will see in the upcoming days.

We made it safe and sound to Montreal, Quebec. What a beautiful city and great location that we are in. Austin had a great first day of therapy with Ramon. Ramon was impressed by Austin's abilities and the progress that him and daddy have made with his at home program. Austin did well with the exercises that Ramon did with him, but did really show off too much today. Guess he's just warming up. I don't think Austin wants to overwhelm Ramon with all his new stuff just yet! Montreal driving is quite different than the Phoenix driving that we are used to. We are slowly learning our way around, and we are getting better at stopping at the lights when they are red. We are looking forward to a great week of therapy for Austin. Ramon felt that Austin's brain was receiving information much quicker than previous times. Yeah Austin. We know you can do it.

Two more days till Austin's big trip to Montreal. We are excited about our upcoming trip and having big brother Zach accompany us this time. We pray we are as successful as the other trips we have taken. Keep Austin in your thoughts and prayers. I will update his blog as often as I can.

Well the time has come, Austin is finally exploring the house on his own. He is all over the place. Austin loves to cruise with the furniture, walls, counter tops, his brother and yes even walking on his own without the help of anyone and anything. It has been so much fun watching him transform into a new little boy that has discovered the freedom of walking. Grandma and grandpa are in town and have gotten to share in the joy and mimi and papa get to see it via skype. Which isn't as much fun as watching all his expressions in person, but it will do for now. I will try to get the video up soon. We are counting down the days to Montreal so we can learn more and Austin can show off his stuff.

Free slideshow design made with Smilebox

Austin may not have a diagnosis yet, but everday he continues to amaze us with his strength and courage. We hope you all enjoy his new accomplishments!

Free ecard customized with Smilebox

It's official.....we are going to head to Montreal, Quebec in June to work with Ramone. We are very excited for Ramone to see Austin's progress and to learn more therapy to get this little guy walking on his own. Austin has been cruising all over the place. He uses the furniture and is determined to get from one place to the next. He has even been really daring and has experimented with walking on the tile. He sure has changed alot in the past year. We are so proud of him. We give a big thanks to God and Ramone for showing us the light and never letting us give up. It's just a matter of time now. The possibilities seem endless.

Last week at therapy Austin was amazing yet again. Austin decided instead of therapy in Miss Julie's room, he would entertain the waiting room full of parents. Miss Julie put a chair in the middle of the room and stood Austin about 2 feet from it. Austin had that determination in his eyes that he was going to get that chair. That is what Austin did. After 3 steps, totally unassisted, two with his left and one with his right he reached that chair. Everyone was so happy for him, even himself. I hope to catch it on video tomorrow when we go to therapy. But of course, we know how that goes when the video is running.... We want our Chile friends to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers during this devistating time.

As Austin and I were playing on the floor, Austin did such an amazing thing....as he stood in the middle of the room, holding on to nothing, Austin picked of his left leg and took a step. There was no assistance what so ever and nothing to hold on to. He did it all by himself, his first indepent step. Wow this little boy is so amazing!!

When I picked up Austin from school today I got the surprise I longed to see.......as the door to the classroom opened, there was Austin standing there at the front of the line with only a one arm hold. He walked out to me with minimal assistance and I couldn't have been prouder. What a great start to the new year.