Emerson's Scoliosis Journey

Emerson:  Why I wear a brace? Mommy:  Because God made you special. Emerson:  Who God? Mommy:  He made all of us.  That's who we pray to. Emerson:  Thinking Mommy:  One day you won't have to wear a brace.  One day the doctor will do a surgery to help your back and then you won't have to wear a brace. Emerson:  What surgery? Mommy:  Dr. Luhmann is going to put a bar in your back to make it straighter. Emerson:  What a bar? Mommy:  Like a stick. Emerson:  I no like that. Me neither.  And as we get closer to the possibility of surgery it is starting to sink in that we have to trust someone to take our baby and make a huge cut in her back and then add hardware to her small spine.  And this won't be the only surgery.  I am going to go back to praying to that God guy now...

Part of the final process with First Steps is a referral to the Pettis County Cooperative for an evaluation.  Emerson qualified for services for her physical delays (mainly reaching with her left arm) and her delays in daily actions, like going to the potty and using silverware/cup appropriately (you can't practice those things and keep a cast clean). The first week was terrible.  She was to ride the bus to and from daycare and she cried a lot plus the trip was over an hour each way.  She also refused to the leave the classroom with her physical therapist, Mr. Jason.  They switched her to a transport van and she has slowly gotten more comfortable with Mr. Jason.  We are so very thankful that she gets the services there.  She loves her teacher and is learning so much.     

Our First Steps assistance ends at age 3 and that means we had to say "Goodbye" to Miss Ashley.  Emerson and Miss Ashley had come a long way.  In the beginning, Emerson would run and scream when Ashley came in the door and in the end she would wait at the door and jump up and down because she wanted to "play" with Miss Ashley.   Along with an extremely patient, talented physical therapist and just overall kind person, Miss Ashley is also a very talented photographer.  Our last session together was very special as she brought her camera and took numerous pictures of Emerson with all her casts and braces so far.  Talk about emotional!  We will miss her and are very thankful for the time she spent with Em and the amazing photos she provided for us.