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