Saturday, January 1, 2011 11:25 AM, CST
I am not sure what to think! I am as positive as they come (as many of you know), so I am very optimistic about what I am seeing so far. To get you up to date…Tuesday, Gabe had a major ear ache and we told Dr. Rhodes about it. He changed the protocol to address Gabe’s ear ache and within a day, Gabe quit complaining about the ear ache. His ear is much better now but we have to fly back today…here we go again! Hopefully, the machine will take care of it when we get home tonight. You would not believe all the things this machine will supposedly help…it’s really almost too good to be true. But maybe sometimes things really are that good! We were supposed to do the DMD protocol all week but it had to be tweaked again on Wednesday b/c Gabe ended up with a cough…not sure where it came from but it was definitely croupy. All illnesses must be addressed first as they create stress on the body. So once the illness is treated and gone, the stress to the body is gone and then the DMD protocols can be administered. Despite the cough, he continues to have major energy, run fast, and continues to walk up steps one leg at a time instead of two feet on each step. The doctor videotaped him before and after 5 days of treatment, and although much appeared to be the same, we did notice a couple of things that improved. His balance was better when standing on one foot. He didn’t reach for the wall this time! He also hopped on one foot which he could not do on Monday! He is super fast but seemed faster on Friday (will need to see the videos side by side to be sure) and continues to karate chop everything in his path (like a Power Ranger)!! So watch out Birmingham and kids in his class (sorry). As a parent we try to stay grounded but even Traci (conservative) is beginning to become more positive. And to be honest, it doesn’t matter how little progress he makes. Forward is forward and we just want to lay our heads down at night knowing we did everything we could.
I also wanted to share an incredible story in which Gabe has touched more lives. We were at the Texas State Aquarium and were enjoying the dolphin show. When it was over, I asked one of the trainers if they had anything for special needs children to get up close and personal with the dolphins. She said they had something called Dolphins on Deck which cost $99 but happens 15 minutes before each show. Seeing how we had just gone to the last show, that was not an option for us. She looked at Gabe and I could tell she was curious as to what was wrong with him as he looks normal. I told her what was wrong and I could tell she was touched by it. Traci, Gabe, and I walked on to different areas of the aquarium. Well guess what…they came and found us! They asked us to step outside for a second so they could talk to us. I thought we were in trouble! They said they wanted us to be back at the dolphin tank by 3:30 and they would call Gabe down to do some things with the dolphins. Things like hand signals, feeding them, pictures with them…awesome right?! Well guess what…there was no show…it was solely for Gabe!!! They allowed Gabe to feed the dolphins, signal to the dolphins, give toys to the dolphins, and much more! It was incredible! Traci and I were so amazed by this generous offer! It did not stop there!!!! They set up a behind the scenes tour for Gabe so he could see everything about the aquarium. Gabe was able to feed sea horses, pet a turtle, see the sharks being fed, feed the sea turtles, hold a baby alligator, hold a crab with its shell, see many hawks up close, hold and pet an anteater, and everything that happens behind the doors. This is all in addition to his dolphin experience! These folks were so touched by Gabe that they made this happen! We are blown away by their generosity and all I can say is the Texas State Aquarium RULES!!! See pictures at http://www.hopeforgabe.org/photosvideos.html (evetually when I can .
Another great thing happened on our trip…Gabe met a new little friend and we connected with another DMD family. The little boy’s name is Zubin Sethi and he turned 6 years old a couple of months ago. They became instant friends and we hung out together with he and his mother in the pool, went to the USS Lexington together, and just exchanged stories, advice, tears, and hugs! It was so great to know we were not alone b/c it feels like it a lot! We’ll miss you Zubin and Tanmeet, but we will keep in touch as we go on this journey of hope together!
Here is hoping 2011 is a GREAT year for everyone! Thanks for following our journey and we could not do it without you! Gabe’s Dad
I am not sure what to think! I am as positive as they come (as many of you know), so I am very optimistic about what I am seeing so far. To get you up to date…Tuesday, Gabe had a major ear ache and we told Dr. Rhodes about it. He changed the protocol to address Gabe’s ear ache and within a day, Gabe quit complaining about the ear ache. His ear is much better now but we have to fly back today…here we go again! Hopefully, the machine will take care of it when we get home tonight. You would not believe all the things this machine will supposedly help…it’s really almost too good to be true. But maybe sometimes things really are that good! We were supposed to do the DMD protocol all week but it had to be tweaked again on Wednesday b/c Gabe ended up with a cough…not sure where it came from but it was definitely croupy. All illnesses must be addressed first as they create stress on the body. So once the illness is treated and gone, the stress to the body is gone and then the DMD protocols can be administered. Despite the cough, he continues to have major energy, run fast, and continues to walk up steps one leg at a time instead of two feet on each step. The doctor videotaped him before and after 5 days of treatment, and although much appeared to be the same, we did notice a couple of things that improved. His balance was better when standing on one foot. He didn’t reach for the wall this time! He also hopped on one foot which he could not do on Monday! He is super fast but seemed faster on Friday (will need to see the videos side by side to be sure) and continues to karate chop everything in his path (like a Power Ranger)!! So watch out Birmingham and kids in his class (sorry). As a parent we try to stay grounded but even Traci (conservative) is beginning to become more positive. And to be honest, it doesn’t matter how little progress he makes. Forward is forward and we just want to lay our heads down at night knowing we did everything we could.
I also wanted to share an incredible story in which Gabe has touched more lives. We were at the Texas State Aquarium and were enjoying the dolphin show. When it was over, I asked one of the trainers if they had anything for special needs children to get up close and personal with the dolphins. She said they had something called Dolphins on Deck which cost $99 but happens 15 minutes before each show. Seeing how we had just gone to the last show, that was not an option for us. She looked at Gabe and I could tell she was curious as to what was wrong with him as he looks normal. I told her what was wrong and I could tell she was touched by it. Traci, Gabe, and I walked on to different areas of the aquarium. Well guess what…they came and found us! They asked us to step outside for a second so they could talk to us. I thought we were in trouble! They said they wanted us to be back at the dolphin tank by 3:30 and they would call Gabe down to do some things with the dolphins. Things like hand signals, feeding them, pictures with them…awesome right?! Well guess what…there was no show…it was solely for Gabe!!! They allowed Gabe to feed the dolphins, signal to the dolphins, give toys to the dolphins, and much more! It was incredible! Traci and I were so amazed by this generous offer! It did not stop there!!!! They set up a behind the scenes tour for Gabe so he could see everything about the aquarium. Gabe was able to feed sea horses, pet a turtle, see the sharks being fed, feed the sea turtles, hold a baby alligator, hold a crab with its shell, see many hawks up close, hold and pet an anteater, and everything that happens behind the doors. This is all in addition to his dolphin experience! These folks were so touched by Gabe that they made this happen! We are blown away by their generosity and all I can say is the Texas State Aquarium RULES!!! See pictures at http://www.hopeforgabe.org/photosvideos.html (evetually when I can .
Another great thing happened on our trip…Gabe met a new little friend and we connected with another DMD family. The little boy’s name is Zubin Sethi and he turned 6 years old a couple of months ago. They became instant friends and we hung out together with he and his mother in the pool, went to the USS Lexington together, and just exchanged stories, advice, tears, and hugs! It was so great to know we were not alone b/c it feels like it a lot! We’ll miss you Zubin and Tanmeet, but we will keep in touch as we go on this journey of hope together!
Here is hoping 2011 is a GREAT year for everyone! Thanks for following our journey and we could not do it without you! Gabe’s Dad
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